Jim Steinman, born James Richard Steinman on November 1, 1947, in Hewlett Harbor, New York, was a renowned American composer, lyricist, and record producer. His career spanned over five decades, during which he became one of the most successful and distinctive figures in the music industry. Steinman was known for his unique style that blended rock, pop, and musical theater with a Wagnerian flair.

Steinman's early life laid the foundation for his illustrious career. He graduated from George W. Hewlett High School in 1965 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Amherst College in 1969. It was at Amherst that Steinman began to form his artistic vision, creating the musical "The Dream Engine," which caught the attention of Joseph Papp, founder of the New York Shakespeare Festival.

Steinman's breakthrough came with his collaboration with Meat Loaf on the 1977 album "Bat Out of Hell," which became one of the best-selling albums in history, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. The album featured Steinman's signature theatrical rock style and included hits like "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" and "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad." Steinman and Meat Loaf reunited in 1993 for "Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell," which topped charts globally and featured the Grammy-winning hit "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)."

Beyond his work with Meat Loaf, Steinman wrote and produced numerous hits for other artists, including Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart," Air Supply's "Making Love Out of Nothing at All," and Celine Dion's cover of "It's All Coming Back to Me Now." He also ventured into musical theater, contributing to productions like "Bat Out of Hell: The Musical" and "Tanz der Vampire."

Steinman's contributions to music were recognized with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2016. He passed away on April 19, 2021, in Danbury, Connecticut, leaving behind a legacy of grandiose and emotionally charged music that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.