Madonna has shared an emotional tribute to producer William Orbit, calling him a major force in her life and career. In an Instagram post, she said that working with him changed the way she thought about music and described him as her “Ray of Light.”
Orbit, whose real name was William Wainwright, died at home on July 23 at the age of 69. His death was announced on August 7, and no cause was given, according to NME.
Orbit helped bring Madonna to a new creative phase in the late 1990s. Their work together on the album Ray of Light won him three Grammys, including two for the record and one for the song “Beautiful Stranger.”
In her post, Madonna said Orbit inspired her to write and sing in new ways and helped shape songs such as “Drowned World” and “Swim.” She added that she never forgot the time they spent making music together.
Madonna began working with Orbit after he remixed “Justify My Love” and “Erotica,” and he later produced Ray of Light after sending her instrumental tracks in 1997. The album sold more than 16 million copies worldwide.
