William Orbit, acclaimed producer who worked with Madonna and Blur, dies aged 69
By Casey Cooper-Fiske, Press Association Senior Entertainment Reporter
Grammy Award-winning producer William Orbit has died aged 69, his family and friends announced.
The London-born musician died at home on July 23, with his family saying in a statement posted to his Instagram page that he will be “greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched”.
The statement read: “It is with profound sadness that the family and friends of William Orbit announce that William passed away at home on July 23 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.”
Orbit produced Madonna’s 1998 album Ray Of Light, which saw the American singer move into electronica and trip hop, and also worked with her on the 2000 album Music, as well as co-writing and performing on her 1999 UK number two single Beautiful Stranger.
Ray Of Light saw Orbit pick up two Grammys for best pop album and best dance recording, while he also won one for best song written for visual media for Beautiful Stranger, which appeared in the 1999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
He was also nominated for Grammys for his work on Pink’s song Feel Good Time, his own 2000 album Pieces In A Modern Style and for record of the year for Ray Of Light.
With Blur, Orbit produced the 1999 album 13, which saw the band take a darker lyrical turn and produce hit singles such as Tender, Coffee & TV and No Distance Left To Run, and also worked on their track Sweet Song from 2003’s Think Tank album.
