Being a rubbish songwriter myself, it's time to salute the people who make the pop musical world go round. Most aren't on the verge of death, but never mind (all over 60, though). Off the top of my head, my living greats include:

Chip Taylor
Les Reed
Arthur Hamilton
Jackie DeShannon
Barry Mason
Geoff Stephens
John Carter
Tony Macaulay
Bob Crewe
Bob Gaudio
Gerry Goffin
Carole King
Sandy Linzer
Denny Randell
Tony Joe White
Jeff Barry
Nicky Chinn
Mike Chapman
Hal David
Burt Bacharach
Mike Batt (just kidding)
Bobby Hart
Dan Penn
Jimmy Lea
Noddy Holder
Jimmy Webb
PF Sloan
Roger Cook
Roger Greenaway
Pete Callander
Mitch Murray
Rob Davis
Neil Sedaka
Mike Stoller
Barry Mann
Cynthia Weil
Tom T Hall
Jerry Chesnut
Chips Moman
Kenny Gamble
Leon Huff
Holland-Dozier-Holland