LOS ANGELES: Legendary American songwriter Billy Steinberg, the creative force behind iconic pop anthems including Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”, has passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer, according to media reports.
Steinberg’s songwriting shaped the soundscape of the 1980s and 1990s, penning hits for superstars such as Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper. His family lauded him as a “master of crafting songs whose honesty and emotion outlive the artist.”
Born in 1950 in Palm Springs, California, Steinberg initially grew up in his family’s table grape business before pursuing a passion for music at Bard College in New York.
In his mid-20s, he formed the band Billy Thermal, signing with Planet Records. The group’s breakthrough came in 1980 when Linda Ronstadt recorded “How Do I Make You?” for her album Mad Love, which went platinum and reached the top three on the charts.
Steinberg also wrote hits for Pat Benatar, including “I’m Gonna Follow You” and the title track “Precious Time”, before teaming up with songwriter Tom Kelly in 1981. Together, they created five Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, most notably Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”, inspired by a personal heartbreak.
Released in 1984, the song ruled the U.S. charts for six weeks and became the title track of Madonna’s chart-topping album.
Steinberg’s accomplishments include a Grammy Award in 1997 for Celine Dion’s “Falling Into You” and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011, cementing his legacy as one of pop music’s most influential architects.
Billy Steinberg leaves behind a timeless musical legacy, with songs that continue to inspire and resonate across generations worldwide.
