Songwriter Billy Steinberg Dies at 74

Billy Steinberg, the Grammy-winning songwriter renowned for co-writing Madonna's iconic hit "Like a Virgin" and other chart-topping pop anthems of the 1980s, died Monday at his home in Brentwood, California. He was 74.

His attorney, Laurie Soriano, confirmed the death to multiple outlets, attributing it to cancer after a prolonged battle.

Steinberg's career spanned decades, marked by his lyrical contributions to some of the era's most enduring songs. Working primarily with composer Tom Kelly, he penned five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 during the 1980s: "Like a Virgin" for Madonna, "True Colors" for Cyndi Lauper, "So Emotional" for Whitney Houston, "Eternal Flame" for The Bangles and "Alone" for Heart. Their partnership produced additional hits, including the Divinyls' "I Touch Myself," which reached the Top 5 in the U.S. and topped charts in Australia; The Pretenders' "I'll Stand by You," a Top 10 in several countries; and Lauper's "I Drove All Night," originally recorded by Roy Orbison.

Born on February 26, 1950, in Los Angeles' Brentwood neighborhood, Steinberg grew up in Palm Springs, where he helped with his family's table grape business. He attended Bard College...