Will Jennings, the renowned lyricist known for hits like Celine Dion’s "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic and Steve Winwood’s "Higher Love," has passed away at the age of 80. Multiple U.S. media outlets reported that Jennings died at his home in Texas, though the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Born in Kilgore, Texas, Jennings had a songwriting career that spanned five decades. He started his journey in Hollywood in 1976 and quickly gained fame with songs like Barry Manilow’s “Looks Like We Made It,” which he co-wrote with Richard Kerr in 1977. This partnership continued with the hit “Somewhere in the Night,” further establishing Jennings as a top songwriter.
Throughout his career, Jennings wrote for legendary artists such as B.B. King, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Roy Orbison. He also made significant contributions to film soundtracks, winning his first Academy Award in 1983 for the song “Up Where We Belong” from An Officer and a Gentleman. He later won a Grammy Award for “Tears in Heaven,” a song he co-wrote with Eric Clapton for the movie Rush.
Jennings received widespread recognition for his work on the Titanic soundtrack in 1997. His lyrics for “My Heart Will Go On,” performed by Celine Dion, earned him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and multiple Grammy Awards in 1998. The song became one of the most beloved in film history.
Over his illustrious career, Jennings was nominated for six Grammy Awards, winning three. In 2006, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
