'My Heart Will Go On' co-writer Will Jennings dies at 80, leaves prolific musical career behind
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Will Jennings, the legendary lyricist of ‘My Heart Will Go On’, died at age 80.
The two-time Oscar-winning star passed away at his Texas home amid declining health, per reports.
Friends pay tribute to 'musical genius' Will Jennings
Will Jennings' close pal Peter Wolf paid tribute to the late lyricist over a Facebook post, “'A Lot of Good Ones Gone'…A sad time, the passing of Will Jennings, a maestro, brilliant mind and a gentle spirit. Will shared his talents with me, ever patient and generous, he was a treasured friend and teacher, enriching my life in so many way,” reported Pop Culture.
He added, “It was an enormous honor to have worked with such a musical genius for so many years…To quote one of his favorite poets, W.B Yeats, 'Think where man's glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.'”
Meanwhile, David Wilds wrote over X, “#RIPWillJennings wrote so many great lyrics for classics like 'While You See A Chance,' 'Tears In Heaven,' 'Street Life' & 'My Heart Will Go On.' He wrote this great song with @PeterWolf_Woofa & now Will Jennings is one of the good ones gone,” as he shared the song.
Jennings had great success with Whitney Houston ('Didn’t We Almost Have It All'), Dionne Warwick ('I’ll Never Love This Way Again'), Tim McGraw, Mariah Carey ('How the Grinch Stole Christmas', along with 'My Heart Will Go On' collaborator James Horner), BB King, Diana Ross, Faith Hill, and Jimmy Buffett, per Deadline.
The songwriter is also known for his famous collaboration with Steve Winwood, including albums 'Arc of a Diver', 'Talking Back to the Night', 'Higher Love' and 'Roll With It', 'Back in the High Life Again' and 'Don’t You Know What the Night Can Do'.
#RIPWillJennings wrote so many great lyrics for classics like "While You See A Chance," "Tears In Heaven," "Street Life" & "My Heart Will Go On." He wrote this great song with @PeterWolf_Woofa & now Will Jennings is one of the good ones gone. https://t.co/PMaiex3O3s
— David Wild (@Wildaboutmusic) September 7, 2024
Oscar-winning Will Jennings is also a 3 times Grammy winner and Songwriters Hall of Famer
Interestingly, his work for 'Titanic', recorded by Celine Dion, and 'An Officer and a Gentleman', sung by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, won him two Academy Awards.
The lyricist was also lauded for the song, 'Tears in Heaven', performed by Eric Clapton, from the movie 'Rush', winning him a Golden Globe for best original song, and Grammy for Song of the Year. Jennings has won three Grammy Awards in total.
The celebrated songwriter was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.
