Madonna has penned a heartfelt tribute to the late William Orbit following the news of his sudden death at the age of 69 on Friday.
Back in the 1998, the music producer collaborated with the Like A prayer singer on the album Ray of Light, which went on to win them a Grammy.
The pop sensation took to Instagram on Saturday as she thanked the ‘genius’ music producer for inspiring her throughout her career.
Sharing the clip of the pair winning their Grammy together, she penned: ‘Goodbye- William Orbit. I had an epiphany when I met you and started working with you.’
The lengthy tribute continued: ‘I realized that music did not have to fit into categories or genres. So we created our own. You pressed a magic button inside of me and I fell into a galaxy of unrealized dreams. Your music gave me a magic carpet to fly on and I visited many places. Sad and Joyful
‘I sang in ways I’d never sung before. I used words without caring if they made sense or not. In many ways you were my Ray of Light -as was my daughter Lola who was born around this time.
‘I was starting a new chapter, I was choosing another road to walk down-and you were right by my side with your crooked teeth and your genius, way of hearing music.
‘The studio was often church like and I would sit in silence, waiting for your ideas to explode out of your keyboard or your guitar and then I would run with them………..’
Expressing her gratitude for his inspirational influence on her career, she added: ‘I miss those days. Only you could inspire me to write a song like Drowned World or Swim. You were so otherworldly. So singular.
‘The years passed and I moved on to make music with other people, but I have never forgotten you or the magical time we spent together.
‘Goodbye Billy Bubbles. I was so lucky to have known you and fallen down the rabbit hole with you.’
On Friday William’s family and friends shared a statement on his social media, which said he died at home on July 23 and no cause of death was given.
2026-08-09 16:10:00
