Will Jennings, a songwriter, has died. He was 80 years old.
Will wrote hit songs with other people, like “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton.
Variety found out about the news from Will’s publisher early Saturday morning.
We don’t know what killed him yet, but he had been sick for a while and no one knew about it.
Artist Pete Wolf paid emotional tribute to the late songwriter on Friday.
Peete stood next to Will and put his arm around him in the picture.
“‘A Lot of Good Ones Gone’ … A sad time, the passing of Will Jennings, a maestro, brilliant mind and a gentle spirit,” he wrote in the text.
Pete went on, “Will taught me his skills and was always patient and kind. He was a dear friend and teacher who made my life better in so many ways.”
“It was an enormous honor to have worked with such a musical genius for so many years.”
In the comments section, Pete’s fans shared their condolences.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” one person wrote.
It was said again, “So sad to hear.”
“Rest in Power Will,” said a third.
Four people said, “Rest in peace, legend.”
“A great lyricist, and he wrote some great songs with you,” said someone else.
“What a tremendous legacy to leave behind.”
THE JOB OF WILL
Will has won a number of prestigious awards over the course of his career.
Will won his first Academy Award for Best Original Song for writing “Up Where We Belong” with Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for the 1982 movie “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Will won another Oscar in 1997 for his work on Celine’s “My Heart Will Go On,” which was in the hit movie Titanic with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
He won Song of the Year in 1993 for Bruce Springsteen’s “Tears in Heaven” from the movie Rush. This song also won him a Golden Globe.
Will has worked with more artists in the past, such as Diana Ross, Barbara Manilow, Barry Manilow, Dionne Warwick, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Tim McGraw, and more.
Whilst Will has been nominated for six Grammys, he has only won three. His song “My Heart Will Go On” won Song of the Year.
