Prolific Pop Hitmaker Billy Steinberg Dies at 75

Songwriter behind hits for Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Whitney Houston passes away from cancer.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Billy Steinberg, the prolific songwriter behind some of the biggest pop hits of the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer. Steinberg co-wrote iconic songs for artists like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Whitney Houston, often collaborating with Tom Kelly on the music while Steinberg focused on the lyrics.

Why it matters

Steinberg was a hugely influential and successful songwriter whose work defined the sound of pop music for decades. His ability to craft instantly memorable and emotionally resonant lyrics made him one of the most sought-after songwriters in the industry, and his passing marks the end of an era for classic pop songwriting.

The details

Steinberg and his longtime collaborator Tom Kelly had a clear division of labor, with Steinberg writing the lyrics and Kelly composing the music. Steinberg was known for starting with striking song titles like "Like a Virgin" and "I Touch Myself" and then building the songs around them. After Kelly retired in the mid-1990s, Steinberg continued to co-write hits with other partners, including songs for Celine Dion, JoJo, Demi Lovato, and Nicole Scherzinger.

  • Steinberg's career began in the 1970s as the frontman of the Los Angeles band Billy Thermal.
  • Steinberg met his longtime collaborator Tom Kelly in 1981.
  • Kelly retired from songwriting in the mid-1990s.
  • Last year, Steinberg extended a long-running relationship with Sony Music Publishing in a joint deal that also covered his songwriter son, Ezra, under the "Steinberg Music" banner.
  • Steinberg passed away on February 17, 2026 at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer.

The players

Billy Steinberg

A prolific and influential pop songwriter who co-wrote hits for artists like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Whitney Houston. He often collaborated with Tom Kelly, with Steinberg writing the lyrics and Kelly composing the music.

Tom Kelly

Steinberg's longtime collaborator, who composed the music for many of the duo's hit songs while Steinberg wrote the lyrics. Kelly retired from songwriting in the mid-1990s.

Ezra Steinberg

Steinberg's songwriter son, who was included in a joint deal with Sony Music Publishing under the "Steinberg Music" banner.

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The takeaway

Steinberg's passing marks the end of an era for classic pop songwriting. His ability to craft instantly memorable and emotionally resonant lyrics made him one of the most influential and successful songwriters of his time, with his work defining the sound of pop music for decades.