Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Madonna feels “so lucky” to have known and worked with William Orbit.
The Queen of Pop paid a heartfelt tribute to the producer, whom she collaborated with on Ray Of Light, Music, and MDNA, following his death on July 23 at the age of 69, which was announced on Friday (07.08.26).
On Saturday (08.08.26), Madonna, 67, took to Instagram and posted a video of her and Orbit accepting an award for Ray of Light at the Grammys in 1999, with the caption: “Goodbye – William Orbit.
“I had an epiphany when I met you and started working with you. I realised 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 unrealised 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. (sic)”
She continued: “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………..
“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. (sic)”
Madonna concluded: “Goodbye Billy Bubbles.
“I was so lucky to have known you and fallen down the rabbit hole with you. @williamorbit (sic).”
Months before his passing – the cause not known – Orbit revealed he had already written what he considered a spiritual follow‑up to Ray of Light, but admitted the project was “not going to happen” because he had not heard back from her.
The studio wizard shared a long message on Facebook explaining that despite his hopes of reconnecting creatively with the music legend, he had not had any contact from her in more than 20 years.
Orbit wrote in March: “Right. Let’s put this Madonna ROL 2.0 thing to rest here and now folks. Can get exhausting.
“Is NOT going to happen.
“Look, why don’t I just lay it out, cos I get asked constantly.
“I have an album ready that, in my opinion, is indeed the successor to Ray Of Light. Everything about how it was made and how it sounds yells that from the first few bars. (sic)”
He went on to say he reached out to Madonna but received “nil response”, adding: “A week later. I speak with many close to her, including fam, but have not had a single syllable back in over two decades. There I said it. (sic)”
Despite the lack of communication, Orbit stressed he holds no resentment: “Zero zero absolute zero hard feelings. Are you kidding, I will always love that woman. For real. She made my career. But am I crying? Look at me. Crying with mirth and glee these days. (sic)”
Orbit also revealed he was writing a book, promising it would include his full story along with “deep chapters”, “pop goss”, cartoon art and his trademark humour.
He joked that he had “transitioned now to a man for whom Fs are no longer on offer – zero f***s for the music biz. (sic)”
The producer ended his post with a tongue‑in‑cheek farewell to the idea of working with Madonna again: “So, for the history books, she doesn’t love me any more – waaaaaaaaah.
“Awww.
“No icon for Billy.
“Never mind, there’ll be another one along.
“For my ROL 2.
“And this time Billy goes full gonzo. (sic)”
It is unknown how far along he was with the tell-all tome before his death, which was announced on Friday.
A statement across Orbit’s social media pages read: “It is with profound sadness that the family and friends of William Orbit announce that William passed away at home on 23rd July 2026.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing. He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness.
“We kindly ask that the privacy of William’s family and close friends is respected during this difficult time.”
As well as his work with Madonna, Orbit is known for working his magic on records by Blur, U2, Britney Spears, 44, Robbie Williams, 52, Queen, and many more.
