Songwriter Behind ‘Like a Virgin,’ Billy Steinberg, Passes Away at 75

Billy Steinberg, the renowned songwriter behind some of the most memorable hits of the 1980s, has passed away at the age of 75. He died at his Brentwood home, with his lawyer, Laurie Soriano, confirming that cancer was the cause of death.

Billy Steinberg’s Musical Legacy

Steinberg was instrumental in shaping the pop landscape of the 1980s. Among his most iconic works is Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” which he co-wrote with Tom Kelly. This song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks in late 1984 and early 1985.

Notable Hits

• Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors”
• Heart’s “Alone”
• Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional”
• The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame”
• The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You”
• The Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself”
• “I Drove All Night,” recorded by both Lauper and Roy Orbison

Steinberg’s lyrics often explored themes of love and emotional struggle. In “Like a Virgin,” the narrator expresses feelings of loss before finding renewal through new love. Similarly, “Alone” delves into the feelings of longing and unspoken affection.

Early Life and Career

Born in Fresno in 1950, Steinberg’s family moved to Palm Springs, where his father cultivated table grapes. His interest in songwriting began while he was studying literature at Bard College in the late 1960s. However, he faced severe anxiety attacks that led him to leave school and return home.

During this time, he wrote lyrics, often while driving in a red Ford pickup truck. In the late 1970s, he formed the new wave band Billy Thermal, which caught the attention of producer Richard Perry.

Later Success

After Billy Thermal disbanded, Steinberg teamed up with Kelly to create the band i-Ten. They released an album in 1983, which included an early rendition of “Alone.” Steinberg’s songwriting talent earned him a Grammy Award in 1997 for his contribution to Celine Dion’s “Falling Into You,” recognized as album of the year.

In 2011, he was honored with induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Steinberg is survived by his wife, Trina, and their two sons, Ezra and Max.