Cyndi Lauper has shared an emotional tribute to celebrated songwriter Billy Steinberg, who has passed away at the age of 75.
A spokesperson for Steinberg’s family confirmed that he died at his home in Brentwood, California after battling cancer. Following the announcement, tributes quickly poured in for the lyricist responsible for some of pop music’s most iconic songs over the past forty years.
Lauper, who enjoyed a strong creative partnership with Steinberg, uploaded a nostalgic photo of them together along with a touching message. Steinberg famously co wrote her 1986 anthem True Colors with his longtime writing partner Tom Kelly, a track that became one of the defining songs of her catalogue.
She wrote on Instagram: “I'm so sorry to hear that my friend Billy Steinberg has passed away.
“He was such a nice guy and very supportive. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and Tom during this sad time.”
Their collaboration also led to I Drove All Night, which Lauper released in 1989. The song was later recorded by Roy Orbison and famously performed by Celine Dion.
In comments to Billboard, Lauper described Steinberg as “pure genius,” reflecting on the creative exchanges that helped shape True Colors into the version audiences know today.
Throughout his career, Steinberg was behind many of the most recognisable pop tracks of the 1980s and 1990s. Alongside Kelly, he co created Madonna’s Like a Virgin, The Bangles’ Eternal Flame, Whitney Houston’s So Emotional, The Divinyls’ I Touch Myself, and The Pretenders’ I’ll Stand by You, songs that helped define entire musical eras.
After Kelly moved away from songwriting in the 1990s, Steinberg continued to collaborate widely. He worked with Josh Alexander and Ruth-Anne Cunningham, helping write Too Little Too Late for JoJo and Over It for Katharine McPhee, both of which became major mid 2000s hits.
Steinberg and Kelly were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011, securing their status as one of the most influential songwriting teams in pop history.
He is survived by his wife Trina, his sons Ezra and Max, and his stepchildren Raul and Carolina.
