Billy Steinberg, the renowned songwriter behind some of the most defining pop hits of the 1980s and 1990s, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, in Los Angeles after battling cancer. He was 75.

His attorney, Laurie Soriano, confirmed that Steinberg died at his Brentwood home. His family remembered him as “a visionary lyricist, devoted husband, loving father, and one of the most influential songwriters of his era.”

Steinberg, who frequently collaborated with his longtime partner Tom Kelly, built an extraordinary body of work that defined pop radio for more than a decade. Together, they achieved five No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional,” the Bangles’ “Eternal Flame,” and Heart’s “Alone.”

“Like a Virgin,” released in 1984, topped the charts for six weeks and remains one of the decade’s most recognizable songs. The track showcased Steinberg’s ability to turn intimate personal moments into widely relatable lyrics—a hallmark of his songwriting style.

In addition to his chart-topping hits, Steinberg co-wrote many other enduring songs of the 1980s and 1990s. He penned the Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You,” the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself,” and “I Drove All Night,” later recorded by both Lauper and Roy Orbison.

Born in Fresno, California, in 1950, Steinberg later moved to Palm Springs, where his father operated a table grape business in the Coachella Valley. The desert region also inspired the name of his early band, Billy Thermal, referencing the town of Thermal. He studied literature at Bard College, and his academic background helped shape the narrative strength and vivid imagery found in his lyrics.

Before becoming a full-time songwriter, Steinberg formed the band Billy Thermal in the late 1970s. Although the group never released a complete album, their music drew the interest of well-known artists. Linda Ronstadt recorded their song “How Do I Make You” in 1980, marking Steinberg’s first commercial breakthrough.

In 1981, Steinberg met Tom Kelly through producer Keith Olsen. Their partnership quickly proved successful—Steinberg focused on lyrics while Kelly composed music. They formed the duo i-Ten and released the album “Taking a Cold Look” in 1983. Although it wasn’t a commercial hit, it featured an early version of “Alone,” later a major success for Heart.

Their big break came when Warner Bros. A&R executive Michael Ostin helped connect Steinberg and Kelly’s “Like a Virgin” with Madonna. Its massive success in 1984 launched them into the top tier of pop songwriters for more than a decade.

Lauper, who recorded several of Steinberg’s works, honored him on social media after his passing. “I’m so sorry to hear that my friend Billy Steinberg has passed away,” she wrote. “He was such a nice guy and very supportive. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and Tom during this sad time.”

After Kelly retired in the mid-1990s, Steinberg continued collaborating with other writers, adapting his style to new generations. He first teamed up with Rick Nowels, showing his ability to evolve with shifting musical trends, and later began a highly productive partnership with Josh Alexander starting in 2004.

With Alexander, Steinberg co-wrote JoJo’s “Too Little Too Late” and Demi Lovato’s “Give Your Heart a Break,” proving that he could still resonate with younger listeners while preserving the emotional honesty that defined his earlier work.

Steinberg’s collaboration with Celine Dion became a highlight of his later career. He co-wrote and produced the title track “Falling Into You” for her 1996 album, which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1997. Though it was a major professional achievement, those close to him said he cared most about connecting with listeners emotionally.

His writing process generally started with lyrics, which he developed alongside musical collaborators. This method allowed him to prioritize storytelling and emotional depth even as pop production became more technologically complex.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Steinberg in 2011, honoring both his solo achievements and his celebrated partnership with Kelly.

In March 2025, Steinberg signed a global publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing, affirming his continued creativity and relevance despite his illness. His son Ezra also signed with the company, extending the family’s musical heritage.

His family noted that “his lyrics often began as deeply personal reflections, transformed into anthems in which millions found themselves.” They added: “Billy Steinberg’s life was a testament to the enduring power of a well-written song—and to the idea that honesty, when set to music, can outlive us all.”

Spanning several decades, Steinberg’s work reached artists across genres and generations. His songs continued to be performed, streamed, and reinterpreted by musicians discovering his catalog anew.

His ability to express complex emotions in clear, relatable language made his work enduringly impactful. Whether writing about love, heartbreak, longing, or devotion, Steinberg created lyrics that felt both personal and universal—one of the key reasons his songs have stood the test of time.

Steinberg is survived by his wife, Trina, and his sons Ezra and Max. His contributions to popular music remain deeply embedded in culture, with his songs continuing to find new audiences around the world.