With Billy Steinberg he co-wrote numerous hit songs for popular music artists, including five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the 1980s.

[2] He played bass guitar and sang in several bands throughout Illinois and Indiana in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the Trifaris, the Gaping Huggers, the One Eyed Jacks, and the Guild.

Kelly became a prominent session singer in Los Angeles, singing backing vocals for many recording artists.

In 1981 Kelly wrote his first hit song, "Fire and Ice", with Pat Benatar for her album Precious Time.

Steinberg and Kelly wrote songs for a variety of popular music artists, including five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.