Today in Madonna History: August 7, 2026

Today we remember William Orbit, whose family recently announced that he passed away on July 23, 2026, at the age of 69.

Although most fans associate Orbit with Ray of Light, his history with Madonna actually began years earlier. He first worked with her on remixes for Justify My Love in 1990 and Erotica in 1992. Those collaborations introduced Madonna to his signature electronic sound and eventually led to one of the most celebrated creative partnerships of her career.

In 1998, Orbit co-produced the Grammy Award-winning Ray of Light, helping shape the sound of songs including Frozen, Ray of Light, The Power of Good-Bye, Nothing Really Matters, and Drowned World / Substitute for Love. The album marked a bold new chapter for Madonna and remains one of the defining records of her career.

The pair reunited on Music, Beautiful Stranger, and later MDNA, where Orbit also co-produced the Golden Globe-winning Masterpiece.

Beyond Madonna, William Orbit worked with an incredible range of artists throughout his career, but for many fans, his name will always be synonymous with the sound of Ray of Light.

Thank you, William, for the music, the innovation, and for helping create one of Madonna’s most unforgettable eras. Rest in peace.

Today in Madonna History: July 13, 2026

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On July 13, 2026, CONFESSIONS II debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.

The album became Madonna’s ninth No. 1 studio album in Canada and her eleventh chart-topping album overall, including The Immaculate Collection and Celebration.

Madonna’s albums have reached the following peaks on Canada’s national album charts:

Studio albums

  • Madonna — No. 16
  • Like a Virgin — No. 3
  • True Blue — No. 1
  • Like a Prayer — No. 2
  • Erotica — No. 4
  • Bedtime Stories — No. 4
  • Ray of Light — No. 1
  • Music — No. 1
  • American Life — No. 1
  • Confessions on a Dance Floor — No. 1
  • Hard Candy — No. 1
  • MDNA — No. 1
  • Rebel Heart — No. 1
  • Madame X — No. 2
  • CONFESSIONS II — No. 1

Soundtrack albums

  • Who’s That Girl — No. 4
  • I’m Breathless — No. 3
  • Evita — No. 5

Live albums

  • I’m Going to Tell You a Secret — No. 4
  • The Confessions Tour — No. 2
  • Sticky & Sweet Tour — No. 36

Collections

  • You Can Dance — No. 11
  • The Immaculate Collection — No. 1
  • Something to Remember — No. 4
  • GHV2 — No. 11
  • Celebration — No. 1
  • Finally Enough Love — No. 22

More than four decades after her self-titled debut reached No. 16 in Canada, Madonna returned to the top of the Canadian Albums chart with CONFESSIONS II.

Today in Madonna History: October 10, 2025

On October 10, 2025, the second pressing of Madonna’s Veronica Electronica companion EP for the Ray of Light album was released — expanded beyond its original vinyl-only run to include a CD edition for the first time ever.

Originally released July 25, 2025, Veronica Electronica first appeared on silver nugget metallic vinyl, exclusive to the original 2025 pressing. Conceived by Madonna in 1998 as a companion remix project under her “Veronica Electronica” alter ego, the long-rumoured collection finally emerged nearly three decades later, featuring newly edited versions of remixes by Peter Rauhofer, William Orbit, Sasha, BT, and Victor Calderone.

Following overwhelming fan demand, the EP returned on October 10 — re-pressed on ultra-clear vinyl in a silver-printed mylar jacket, and newly issued in Deluxe CD format for the first time.

Track List:

  • Drowned World / Substitute for Love (BT & Sasha Bucklodge Ashram New Edit)
  • Ray of Light (Sasha Twilo Mix Edit)
  • Skin (Peter & Victor’s Collaboration Remix Edit)
  • Nothing Really Matters (Club 69 Speed Mix Meets the Dub)
  • Sky Fits Heaven (Victor Calderone New Edit)
  • Frozen (Widescreen Mix and Drums)
  • The Power of Good-Bye (Fabien’s Good God Mix Edit)
  • Gone, Gone, Gone (Original Demo Version)