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- ‘Like a Virgin’ and ‘Eternal Flame’ songwriter Billy Steinberg dies at 75 (the-independent.com)
Billy Steinberg, Hit Songwriter Behind Iconic 80s Anthems, Dies at 75
Fresno, CA – Billy Steinberg, the prolific lyricist who co-wrote some of the most enduring pop hits of the 1980s, has passed away at the age of 75 after a prolonged battle with cancer. His attorney, Laurie Soriano, confirmed his passing on Monday.
Steinberg, primarily known for his lyrical prowess, formed a highly successful songwriting partnership with musician Tom Kelly. Together, they crafted a remarkable string of number one singles that defined an era of pop music. Their impressive catalog includes Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame,” Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional,” and Heart’s “Alone.”
Born William Steinberg on February 26, 1950, he grew up in Palm Springs, the son of a successful grape farmer, and later pursued literature at Bard College in upstate New York.
His journey into music began in 1980 when his band, Billy Thermal, secured a record deal with producer Richard Perry. While the band never released an album, Steinberg’s talent quickly shone through. His song “How Do I Make You” was famously covered by Linda Ronstadt, becoming a top 10 hit, and two more of his compositions were recorded by Pat Benatar.
The pivotal meeting with Tom Kelly occurred the following summer at a party. They decided to join forces, with Steinberg focusing on lyrics and Kelly on music, a partnership that would soon yield monumental success.
In 1983, while working in one of his father’s vineyards, Steinberg penned the now-iconic lyrics for “Like a Virgin.” Kelly’s demo of the song found its way to Madonna, who recorded it as the title track for her second album, produced by Nile Rodgers. The single became a global phenomenon in 1984, dominating the U.S. charts for six weeks.
Despite the song’s massive success, Steinberg and Kelly didn’t meet Madonna until much later. Steinberg recounted on his personal website a memorable encounter at a Hollywood party with Madonna and her then-partner, Warren Beatty.
Beatty reportedly laughed, assuming Madonna would surely know the writers of her signature song. Steinberg’s enthusiastic greeting was met with a rather chilly response from the pop star, an anecdote he later found humorous.
Following “Like a Virgin,” the duo continued their prolific collaboration, producing hits such as Roy Orbison’s “I Drove All Night,” Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself,” and The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You.”
After Kelly’s retirement in the 1990s, Steinberg continued to achieve success, co-writing songs like Celine Dion’s “Falling Into You” and Demi Lovato’s “Give Your Heart a Break.”
Billy Steinberg is survived by his wife, Trina; his sons, Ezra and Max; his sisters, Barbara and Mary; and his stepchildren, Raul and Carolina.
In a heartfelt statement, his son Ezra Steinberg reflected on his father’s legacy: “As a father, he passed down not only his love of music, but his discipline, integrity, and reverence for great songwriting. He believed in building things that last – in art, in relationships, and in legacy.”
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- ‘Like a Virgin’ and ‘Eternal Flame’ songwriter Billy Steinberg dies at 75 (the-independent.com)