Steinberg passed away on Monday (February 16) in California after a long battle with cancer, his attorney Laurie Soriano confirmed, per Variety. (NME)
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011 alongside his writing partner Tom Kelly, and is regarded as one of the most successful songwriters of the 80s and 90s.
Reflecting on his work, Steinberg’s family said, “his lyrics often began as deeply personal reflections, transformed into anthems in which millions found themselves,” per BBC News.
“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,” the family’s statement read.
His family noted that he received multiple industry accolades throughout his four-decade career, including a Grammy Award for his work on Celine Dion‘s 1996 album ‘Falling Into You’.
“Yet those closest to him knew that what mattered most was not recognition, but connection – the magic of hearing a crowd sing back something that once lived only in his notebook.”
Following Kelly’s retirement in the mid 90s, Steinberg continued working with other writing partners, achieving hits with the likes of ‘Give Your Heart a Break’, by Demi Lovato and ‘Too Little Too Late’ by JoJo.
His songs were also recorded by Pat Benatar, Tina Turner, Laura Branigan, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Melanie C, Susanna Hoffs, Belinda Carlisle, Bette Midler, Taylor Dayne, Nicole Scherzinger, Katharine McFee, the Veronicas, T.A.T.U., the Corrs, Ashley Tisdale and many more.
