Songwriter Cynthia Weil Passed Away At 82, Paul Stanley And Steven Van Zandt Bid Her Farewell

Grammy-winning songwriter Cynthia Weil has died, at the age of 82. Weil’s daughter Jenn Mann confirmed that her mother died Thursday at her home in Beverly Hills, California. Mann declined to specify the cause of death.

Many celebrities shared their condolences on social media following the passing of the lyricist. Among these well-known musicians are Paul Stanley of KISS and Stevie Van Zandt. Stanley’s farewell, shared with the news from Deadline, follows:

“RIP The Incredible Cynthia Weil. I was humbled in your presence. Your songs will live forever.”

Zandt, offering his condolences to Weil’s family and friends, tweeted:

“RIP Cynthia Weil. One of the greatest songwriters of all time. She didn’t hesitate when I asked for a new song for Introducing Darlene Love. My and Maureen’s deepest love and condolences to her first love and writing partner Barry Mann, Jenn, Quin, Mendez, and many friends.”

Jenn Mann, the daughter, commented on her mother’s death:

“My mother, Cynthia Weil, was the greatest mother, grandmother and wife our family could ever ask for. She was my best friend, confidant, and my partner in crime and an idol and trailblazer for women in music.”

Barry Mann, her writing partner and husband, added:

“I’m a lucky man. I had two for one, my wife and one of the greatest songwriters in the world, my soul and inspiration.”

Growing up with two musicians, Jenn also talked about their past and her parents’ role:

“I grew up around a lot of music and two incredible, brilliant, creative geniuses. My parents inspired each other to write great songs. My mom always said that when things were good they had each other, and when things weren’t as good they had their music.”

Producing some of the popular hits, such as ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin”, ‘We’ve Got to Get Out Of This Place’, ‘Walking In The Rain’ and so on, Weil and Barry Mann had their first success, ‘Bless You’, recorded by Tony Orlando, in 1961.

Weil and Barry were honored into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as a duo in 1987. They composed and performed in a musical revue based on They Wrote That?, premiered in New York City in 2004.

In 2010, the couple earned the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame‘s Ahmet Ertegun Award.

Weil has two Grammy Awards, one for song of the year and the other for best song written for a motion picture or television, both for ‘Somewhere Out There’ from the film An American Tail. The song was nominated for an Academy Award as well.