Entertainment
Co-writer of My Heart Will Go On, Will Jennings, dead at 80
Jennings’ songwriting prowess was celebrated throughout his career.
Renowned lyricist Will Jennings, best known for his work on iconic songs like “My Heart Will Go On” and “Up Where We Belong,” has passed away at the age of 80.
His longtime publisher confirmed the news to Variety. While the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, it is known that Jennings had been in ill health for some time.
Jennings’ songwriting prowess was celebrated throughout his career.
His collaborations on the “Titanic” soundtrack, particularly “My Heart Will Go On” performed by Celine Dion, and the “An Officer and a Gentleman” theme song, “Up Where We Belong,” earned him two Academy Awards. Additionally, his work on “Tears in Heaven,” a poignant tribute to Eric Clapton’s late son, garnered him a Golden Globe and Grammy Awards for its powerful lyrics.
Jennings’ legacy as a lyricist will undoubtedly continue to inspire and resonate with audiences for generations to come.
Peter Wolf shared a heartfelt tribute to Will Jennings on Facebook:
‘A truly sad time. We’ve lost a maestro, a brilliant mind, and a gentle soul. Will Jennings generously shared his incredible talents with me, always patient and kind. He was a cherished friend and teacher, enriching my life in countless ways.
It was an immense privilege to collaborate with such a musical genius for so many years. As one of his favorite poets, W.B. Yeats, once said, ‘Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.’”‘
Eminem, the underground rapper, launched his solo debut album, “Infinite,” in 1996. He garnered widespread recognition in 1999 with the release of his major-label debut album, “The Slim Shady LP.”
This album also marked Eminem’s first Grammy Award win for Best Rap Album.
Here are the 10 Lesser-Known Facts About Eminem:
Lawsuit with Mother: In 2000, Eminem’s mother, Debbie Mathers-Briggs, sued him for $10 million, claiming defamation of character. The lawsuit was eventually settled for $250,000.
Overcoming Addiction: Eminem struggled with addiction to pills, including Ambien, Valium, and Vicodin, from 2002 to 2008. He successfully overcame his addiction in 2009 after multiple attempts, including a stint in rehab and a near-fatal overdose.
Difficult Birth: Eminem’s mother, Debbie Mathers-Briggs, endured a 72-hour labor when giving birth to him at the age of 18.
Early School Dropout: Eminem dropped out of school in ninth grade after failing the grade for the third time.
Oscar-Winning Musician: Eminem won an Academy Award for the song “Lose Yourself” from the film “8 Mile,” making it the first rap song to receive an Oscar.
Comic Book Enthusiast: Eminem has expressed a lifelong love for comic books and often references them in his music.
Humble Beginnings: Before achieving fame, Eminem worked as a cook and dishwasher at a small family restaurant in Michigan, earning $5.50 per hour.
Computer Illiteracy: In 2010, Eminem revealed that he did not know how to use a computer.
Squatting After Eviction: Before being discovered by Dr. Dre, Eminem found himself homeless and had to break into his own apartment, from which he had recently been evicted.
Largest Vocabulary in Music: A 2015 study analyzed the lyrics of 93 top artists and found that Eminem possesses the largest vocabulary among them, with over 8,800 unique words.