Songwriter Billy Steinberg, Hitmaker for Madonna, Heart, and The Bangles, Dies at 75.

Billy Steinberg, the celebrated songwriter behind some of the biggest hits of the ’80s and ’90s, has died at 75.

Working primarily with longtime collaborator Tom Kelly, Steinberg penned a remarkable string of chart-topping songs that defined an era. Among his most iconic compositions:

“Like a Virgin” – Madonna

“True Colors” – Cyndi Lauper

“Eternal Flame” – The Bangles

“Alone” – Heart

“So Emotional” – Whitney Houston

“I Touch Myself” – Divinyls

“I’ll Stand by You” – The Pretenders

These weren’t just radio smashes — they became cultural landmarks, shaping the sound of mainstream pop and rock for decades. Steinberg had a rare ability to translate raw emotion into unforgettable hooks, giving powerhouse voices the words that millions would sing along to.

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011, his legacy lives on in melodies that still echo across generations.