The music world lost a legend on Thursday with the passing of Cynthia Weil at the age of 82. Weil, who was married to fellow songwriter Barry Mann for 62 years, was responsible for penning some of the most iconic pop hits of all time, including “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “On Broadway,” and “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.” Her daughter, Dr. Jenn Mann, spoke of her mother’s incredible legacy, calling her “an idol and trailblazer for women in music.”
Weil and Mann were a powerhouse duo in the early days of rock ‘n’ roll, winning two Grammys and receiving an Oscar nomination for their song “Somewhere Out There” from the film An American Tail. They were also honored with a Trustees Award from the Recording Academy in 2015 and the inaugural National Academy of Songwriter Life Achievement Award. In 1987, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2010, they received the Ahmet Ertegun Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Weil becoming the first woman to receive the prestigious award.
Their influence extended beyond the music industry, with Weil and Mann being featured characters in the hit Broadway show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Anika Larsen won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Weil.
Weil’s impact on music is immeasurable, with her co-penning stone-cold classics like Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again,” the Ronettes’ “Walking in the Rain,” and the Righteous Brothers’ “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration.” Their songs charted nearly 100 times on the Billboard Hot 100 and over 50 times in the UK.
Weil and Mann met while working at the “Brill Building” in Manhattan, where they became friends and rivals with Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Their first success came with Tony Orlando’s “Bless You” in 1961, and they continued to churn out hits for decades, with Gene Pitney’s “I’m Gonna Be Strong,” Quincy Jones’ “Just Once,” and Ronstadt and Aaron Neville’s “Don’t Know Much” among their many chart-toppers.
Weil’s legacy will live on through her timeless music, which has graced hundreds of movies and TV shows. She was also the subject of a musical revue of her songs called They Wrote That? and wrote the novel I’m Glad I Did. She is survived by her husband and daughter.
