Legendary Lyricist Cynthia Weil, Co-Writer of You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, Passes Away at 82

Grammy-winning lyricist Cynthia Weil, known for her enduring collaboration with husband Barry Mann and writing hit songs like "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," "On Broadway," and "Walking in the Rain," has passed away at the age of 82.

The news of Weil's death was confirmed on Friday by Interdependence Public Relations, representing Dr. Jenn Mann, the daughter of Barry Mann. Further details about her passing were not immediately available.

Weil and Mann, who were married in 1961, formed one of the most successful partnerships in popular music. They were part of the renowned Brill Building songwriting community, located in Manhattan's Brill Building neighborhood, where they collaborated with other hit-making teams such as Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. The Brill Building became known for producing numerous chart-topping singles in the 1960s and beyond.

Weil and Mann also worked closely with producer Phil Spector, writing songs for artists like the Ronettes ("Walking in the Rain") and the Crystals ("He's Sure the Boy I Love"). Their songwriting talents extended to a diverse range of artists, including Dolly Parton and Hanson. Their collaboration on the Linda Ronstadt-Aaron Neville duet "Don't Know Much" earned them a Grammy for Best Pop Performance in 1990.

One of Weil and Mann's most iconic songs, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," produced by Phil Spector and performed by the Righteous Brothers, became a timeless classic. According to Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), it was the most played song on radio and television in the 20th century.

Despite the changing landscape of the music industry with the rise of the Beatles, Weil continued to write hits. She collaborated with various partners, including Mann, Michael Masser, David Foster, and John Williams. Their contributions resulted in successful songs such as "For Always" from the soundtrack of Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence.

Weil's songwriting prowess extended beyond love ballads. She co-wrote the anti-drug anthem "Kicks" for Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1966 and penned songs that explored themes of ambition and aspiration, such as "On Broadway" and "We've Got to Get Out of This Place."

In recognition of their remarkable contributions to music, Weil and Mann were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Their story was also portrayed in the hit Broadway musical "Beautiful," which documented the friendship and rivalry between the two married couples.

Cynthia Weil, born and raised in New York City, began her journey in music after being encouraged by an agent to pursue songwriting. She quickly made a name for herself and crossed paths with Barry Mann, leading to a partnership that would produce timeless hits.

Weil's legacy as a songwriter and her ability to capture the human condition through music will continue to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide