Madonna has paid a moving tribute to the late Sire Records founder Seymour Stein following his death aged 80. 

The music executive passed away on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles following a battle with cancer, prompting an outpouring of tributes from stars across the industry. 

Taking to social media, Madonna shared her own post, honouring Stein and crediting him with launching her music career.

“Seymour Stein Has Left Us! I need to catch my breath. He Was one of the most influential Men in my Life!! He changed and Shaped my world,” she penned, recalling the extremes to which she went to impress the New York mogul. 

Recalling one trip to the hospital where he was recovering from a heart complaint, she shared: “When I met him he was laying in a hospital bed wearing his boxer shorts and a wife beater! He had a cannula up his nose and a saline Drip in his arm! He was grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

“I was carrying my giant boombox ready to play My cassette for him immediately! He smiled and laughed when he saw me and asked me if I was related to the Virgin Mary!! Hahahhahahaa. I knew we would hit it off. I played him the song [Everybody] a few times. He signed me to his record label that day!!”

The Lucky Star singer added: “I am weeping as I write this down. Words cannot describe how I felt at this moment after years of grinding and being broke and getting every door slammed in my face.

“Anyone who knew Seymour knew about his passion for music and his impeccable taste. He had an Ear like no other! He was Intense – Wickedly Funny – a little bit Crazy And Deeply intuitive. 

“Dearest Seymour, you will never be forgotten!! Thank You! [sic]”