Born Wilbur Jennings, he is a prolific and highly successful American songwriter who has written songs for a number of motion picture soundtracks and numerous popular singers including Roy Orbison, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and Celine Dion. He has received the following awards:

Academy Award (1997), Golden Globe Award (1997), Grammy Award for writing the song:

Golden Globe Award (1991) for writing the lyrics for "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton for the film "Rush" and also in 1991 for writing the song "Dreams To Dream" for the motion picture "An American Tail: Fievel Goes West."

Academy Award (1983), Golden Globe Award (1983) for writing the song:

  • "Up Where We Belong" performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes from the motion picture An Officer And A Gentleman.

  • Grammy Award (1993) -- "Tears In Heaven" (shared with Eric Clapton)
  • Grammy Award (nomination) (1986) -- "Higher Love"
  • Grammy Award (1982) -- "I'll Never Love This Way Again"
  • Academy Award (nomination) (1980) -- for writing the song "People Alone" for the motion picture The Competition.