Music Composer and producer Jim Steinman has died at the age of 73.
The songwriter wrote a number of major hits for the likes of meatloaf, Bonnie Tyler, Céline Dion, and more including ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ and ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’, the former of which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide to date.
Steinman’s death was initially announced by TMZ, who reported that he died Monday, April 19th. They wrote “Steinman died Monday in Connecticut, according to the state’s medical examiner. The cause of death is unclear. We do know it appears it was sudden … there was a medical emergency call to his home around 3:30 AM Sunday to transport a male patient.”
A statement posted to Steinman’s Facebook page read “It’s with a heavy heart that I can confirm Jim’s passing. There will be much more to say in the coming hours and days as we prepare to honor this giant of a human being and his glorious legacy. For now, do something that makes you feel young, happy and free. He’d want that for you!”
Steinman was born in New York City in 1947, and attended school at Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he wrote ‘The Dream Engine’, a musical that laid the foundation for much of his later work.
Whilst ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ was his biggest success, Steinman also wrote ‘Total Eclipse Of The Heart’ which was made famous by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. Steinman also wrote Tyler’s over smash hit ‘Holding Out For A Hero’, which featured prominently in Shrek 2.
Steinman also lent his talents to The Sisters of Mercy’s goth classic ‘This Corrosion’, which he produced, and Céline Dion’s ‘It’s All Coming Back To Me’.
Writing to social media, Céline Dion payed tribute to Steinman, saying “I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Jim Steinman. He was a musical genius… an amazing producer and songwriter… and having the opportunity to work with him was one of the greatest privileges of my career. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) April 21, 2021
Bonnie Tyler wrote “I am absolutely devastated to learn of the passing of my long term friend and musical mentor Jim Steinman.
“Jim wrote and produced some of the most iconic rock songs of all time and I was massively privileged to have been given some of them by him. I made two albums with Jim, despite my record company initially thinking he wouldn’t want to work with me, thankfully they were wrong, and can say without any doubt that Jim was a true genius.”
“He was also a funny, kind, supportive, and deeply caring human being and the world is a better place for his life and his work and a worse one for his passing. I will always be grateful to him for the opportunity to work with him and also to know him too. Rest In Peace Jim my friend.”
I am absolutely devastated to learn of the passing of my long term friend and musical mentor Jim Steinman. pic.twitter.com/TvR01AUXKr
— Bonnie Tyler (@BonnieTOfficial) April 20, 2021
The Rock Fix sends our condolences to Jim’s family and friends at this time.
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