Will Jennings, the lyricist who penned some of the biggest hits in the past 50 years, passed away at 80 on September 6, 2024, at his Texas home. He's best known for co-writing 'My Heart Will Go On' from Titanic. Deadline reports that the cause of death has not yet been revealed. According to friends, he had struggled with his health for several years.
Jennings had a career that crossed genres and trends. He was considered a musical genius and his talent for songwriting won him two Oscars and three Grammys. His work entered the zeitgeist after 'My Heart Will Go On' blossomed into an anthem.
Besides all of the awards, Will Jennings' music reached fans everywhere. Upon his death, Peter Wolf, the lead vocalist for The J. Geils Band, described Jennings as a "brilliant mind and a gentle spirit." Wolf said it was an honor to work with him, adding his absence is being felt.
Will Jennings’s collaborations and Grammy-winning hits
He co-wrote six songs that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Some of his most famous works include the 1982 'Up Where We Belong', which won him his first Oscar, and the 1992 'Tears in Heaven,' a song he collaborated with Eric Clapton on as a tribute to Clapton's late son.
Jennings won a Grammy for 'Tears in Heaven,' which sealed his status as one of the best lyricists of the time. That song earned him the Song of the Year Grammy at the 35th Grammy Awards.
Collaborations with Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, and Steve Winwood proved to be successful. His work with Winwood produced hits like 'Higher Love' and 'Roll with It' which reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. He also co-wrote 'Didn't We Almost Have It All' for Whitney.
Will Jennings went from a university professor to a songwriting legend
The road to Will Jennings becoming one of the leading lyricists was certainly unconventional. Born on June 27, 1944, in Kilgore, Texas, he taught at Tyler Junior College and Austin State University. This was before heading to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. It wasn't until later that he switched to songwriting, which opened the door for him to work with major artists.
His first big collaboration was with Barry Manilow for the 1977 hit single 'Looks Like We Made It" which launched his extremely successful career. By the time he teamed up with Manilow again in 1979 to write 'Somewhere in the Night,' Jennings had already carved a name out in the music world.
In 2006, Jennings was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Amidst all his accolades, he remained humble, paying homage to his collaborators for their collective success. His death has left a gap in music, yet his legacy lives on through songs ringing across the world.
Will Jennings' songs are available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
