Singer-songwriter and record producer Bryan Loren has died at the age of 58. The news was confirmed on Facebook by his friend Shana Mangatal, although no cause of death has been revealed. Posting a series of images of her friend through the years, she wrote: "This is sad news to share. My dear friend - extraordinarily talented music producer, Bryan Loren, has passed away. He would have been 59 this year... Rest easy, B Thank you for the decades of memories, the laughter, the stories, and the music."
The star, who was nicknamed The Wiz, began his career at the age of just 15. Throughout the decades he worked with huge names including Whitney Houston, Sting, and Eric Benét. He also worked with Michael Jackson who he enjoyed a very creative relationship with. He produced and wrote The Simpsons' 1990 hit single Do the Bartman, alongside the Thriller singer, who went uncredited due to the fact it could compromise his contract with Sony Records, which demanded exclusivity.
He reunited with Michael again the following year, 1991, when he worked on his album Dangerous. It was the superstar's follow up album to his mega hit BAD.
Shana spoke of this period in her Facebook tribute. "Michael would often drive to Bryan’s house in Woodland Hills and record music in his basement studio.
"I remember they even spent a Thanksgiving together - just two guys, laughing, creating, talking about girls, cartoons, and life.
"Bryan wrote and played every instrument on Do The Bartman for The Simpsons. Bryan and MJ bonded because they were both young musical geniuses who loved nerdy things."
Bryan had first made his mark, working as a session musician. He also had stints in the popular Fat Larry’s Band and as part of the vocal trio Cashmere.
As a solo artist he released his self-titled debut in 1984. He wrote, played, produced, mixed, and engineered the record himself and it featured the singles Lollipop Luv and Do You Really Love Me? which stayed on the chart for 17 weeks.
In 1992 he released Music from the New World which included the track To Satisfy You, notable for featuring Michael Jackson on background vocals.
Michael had passed on the song while he was recording Dangerous Bryan but agreed to contribute when Loren kept it for his own record.
