Songwriter Billy Steinberg, Co-Writer of 'Like a Virgin' and 'True Colors,' Dies at 74

Steinberg, a Grammy-winning songwriter, penned some of the biggest pop hits of the 1980s.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Billy Steinberg, the Grammy-winning songwriter who co-wrote iconic songs like Madonna's 'Like A Virgin,' Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors,' and the Bangles' 'Eternal Flame,' has died at the age of 74. Steinberg, who specialized in writing big, powerful ballads, also co-wrote other major hits such as Whitney Houston's 'So Emotional' and Heart's 'Alone.' The Fresno, California native was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.

Why it matters

Steinberg's songs defined the sound of pop music in the 1980s and 1990s, with his collaborations producing some of the most memorable and successful songs of those eras. His passing marks the end of an era for an influential and acclaimed songwriter whose work left an indelible mark on popular culture.

The details

In addition to 'Like A Virgin,' 'True Colors,' and 'Eternal Flame,' Steinberg co-wrote other No. 1 hits like Whitney Houston's 'So Emotional' and Heart's 'Alone.' He also penned hits for artists like the Pretenders, the Bangles, the Divinyls, and many others. After his longtime writing partner Tom Kelly retired, Steinberg continued to write, often collaborating with Rick Nowels. His songs were recorded by artists like Nichole Scherzinger, Miranda Cosgrove, and Demi Lovato in the 2010s.

  • Steinberg died on February 16, 2026.
  • He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.

The players

Billy Steinberg

A Grammy-winning songwriter who co-wrote some of the biggest pop hits of the 1980s and 1990s, including Madonna's 'Like A Virgin,' Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors,' and the Bangles' 'Eternal Flame.'

Tom Kelly

Steinberg's longtime writing partner, with whom he co-wrote many of his hit songs.

Rick Nowels

A songwriter who collaborated with Steinberg in the later part of his career after Kelly retired.

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What they’re saying

“Thanks for sending me and writing such a beautiful song.”

— Cyndi Lauper (Grammy Museum)

The takeaway

Steinberg's passing marks the end of an era for one of the most influential and acclaimed songwriters of the 1980s and 1990s, whose collaborations produced some of the most iconic and successful pop songs of those decades.