Like a Virgin Songwriter Billy Steinberg Dies at 74

Published: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 1:39 am

Legendary Songwriter Billy Steinberg Dies at 74

Los Angeles – Billy Steinberg, the acclaimed songwriter behind some of the most iconic pop songs of the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 74. Steinberg passed away following a battle with cancer. His attorney, Laurie Soriano, confirmed the news, describing him as "an American treasure" whose poetic lyrics moved millions worldwide.

Steinberg's career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. He is best known for co-writing Madonna's chart-topping hit "Like a Virgin," which spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. He also co-wrote Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors," as well as "Alone," "So Emotional" by Whitney Houston, and The Bangles' "Eternal Flame." All four of these songs also reached number one on the Hot 100.

Before his success as a songwriter, Steinberg formed the new wave band Billy Thermal in the late 1970s. After the band's breakup, he formed i-Ten with his creative partner Tom Kelly. The duo's collaboration led to the creation of several hit songs.

Throughout his career, Steinberg wrote songs for a diverse range of artists, including JoJo, Demi Lovato, Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Pat Benatar, Bette Midler, Carrie Underwood, The Pretenders, and The Divinyls. His contributions were recognized with a Grammy Award in 1997 for his work on Celine Dion's "Falling Into You," which was named Album of the Year. Steinberg was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.

Cyndi Lauper, in a social media post, expressed her condolences, remembering Steinberg as a supportive friend. Steinberg is survived by his wife, Trina, and his sons, Ezra and Max.

BNN's Perspective:

Billy Steinberg's passing is a significant loss for the music world. His ability to craft memorable melodies and poignant lyrics resonated with audiences across generations. While his songs were often associated with a specific era, their themes of love, loss, and resilience continue to resonate today. His legacy will undoubtedly live on through the timeless music he created.

Keywords: Billy Steinberg, songwriter, death, Like a Virgin, Cyndi Lauper, True Colors, Madonna, pop music, Grammy, Songwriters Hall of Fame, music industry, obituary, cancer, Tom Kelly, Whitney Houston, Eternal Flame, Celine Dion

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