Will Jennings is dead – the Variety portal shared the sad news this morning. The two-time Oscar winner, author of lyrics to the most important songs of American popular music, died in his home at the age of 80.
Jennings was one of the most important songwriters of his generation and a true inspiration for entire lines of popular music creators. Among the greatest artists with whom Jennings collaborated during his long career were Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton and Roy Orbison.
Getty Images © Stephen Lovekin
Jennings received his two Oscars for the song “Up Where We Belong” for Taylor Hackford’s “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “My Heart Will Go On” written for James Cameron’s “Titanic”. Recorded and performed by Celine Dion, the song immediately became a hugely popular hit, staying on the charts in many countries for over half a year. In addition to the Oscar, Jennings also received 4 Grammy Awards (including Song of the Year and Record of the Year) and one Golden Globe for one of the most important love ballads in history.
Jennings also wrote the lyrics for the song from Lili Fini Zanuck’s “In the Cage,” for which he received a Golden Globe nomination in 1992. “Tears in Heaven” lost to the song from “Beauty and the Beast” at the time, but won three Grammy Awards (including again for Best Song and Record of the Year).
In 2006, Jennings was inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame and shortly thereafter was inducted into the Nashville Hall of Fame. Following his death, singer Peter Wolf paid tribute to his friend on social media:
“A sad time, the passing of Will Jennings, a master, a brilliant mind and a gentle spirit. Will shared his talents with me, always patient and generous; he was a great friend and teacher, enriching my life in so many ways. It was a great honor to work with such a musical genius for so many years…” Wolf wrote.
Jennings once recalled his work on the Titanic score: I met this very energetic woman who was about 101 when I met her. It was two years earlier. She came to mind. I realized she could have been on the Titanic. So I wrote everything from the point of view of an elderly person, looking back many years. And of course the love story made the movie. It was beautifully done with special effects, the actors were great. But the love story was what made it.
