Legendary US songwriter Cynthia Weil has died at the age of 82, her family has confirmed.
The Grammy-winning lyricist was responsible, along with songwriting partner and husband Barry Mann, for many hit songs - instantly regarded as pop classics - including You've Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, On Broadway, and Walking In The Rain.
Weil died on Thursday evening, surrounded by her family at her home in California, a spokesperson for her daughter, Dr Jenn Mann, told the PA news agency.
In a statement shared with PA, Dr Mann said: "Cynthia Weil was a lyricist, rock and roll legend, Grammy award winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.
"She wrote most of her work with her husband, songwriting partner and soulmate Barry Mann.
"She was brilliant, funny, beautiful, and a great animal rights activist."
The songwriter enjoyed a decades-long partnership with Barry Mann, whom she married in 1961.
They were one of music’s most successful teams, based in Manhattan’s Brill Building neighbourhood, alongside other hit-making combinations such as Carole King and Gerry Goffin and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.
The pair were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 by King.
Weil and Mann were key collaborators with producer Phil Spector on songs for girl groups the Ronettes and the Crystals, and also provided hits for artists including Dolly Parton, including Here You Come Again.
Their collaboration with James Horner for the soundtrack of An American Tail, the song Somewhere Out There, won Grammys in 1987 for best song and best song for a movie or television.
It was also nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe.
Other well-known songs include I Just Can't Help Believing, which was a hit for Elvis Presley, and the Gene Pitney classic, I'm Gonna Be Strong. Mann and Weil also composed The Animals' hit We Gotta Get Out of This Place.
Weil is survived by her husband, daughter Dr Mann and her fiance Eric Schiffer, and granddaughters Quin and Mendez.
Source: Press Association
