Billboard reports that Mark Kamins, the DJ and producer who helped kickstart Madonna's career, has died. He was 57.
Kamins was an early champion of Madonna's. He reportedly passed her demos along to Seymour Stein of Sire Records, who signed her. He was the producer behind her single "Everybody" and, for a brief period, her boyfriend. Kamins also worked with David Byrne, the Beastie Boys, Sinead O'Connor, and others.
Madonna shared this statement to The Hollywood Reporter:
"I'm very sorry to hear about Mark's death. I haven't seen him for years but if it weren't for him, I might not have had a singing career. He was the first DJ to play my demos before I had a record deal. He believed in me before anyone else did. I owe him a lot. May he Rest in Peace."