Iconic music producer William Orbit – who worked with the likes of Madonna, All Saints and Blur – has died at the age of 69.
In a prolific career spanning four decades, Orbit both released his own music and worked with other acts as a producer and songwriter, winning multiple Grammy Awards.
His death was announced on Friday (7 August), with a post on Orbit’s official Instagram account telling fans he died at home on 23 July. No cause of death was shared.
A statement, attributed to his family and friends, read: “We are deeply saddened by his passing. He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched with his music, friendship and kindness.”
Orbit defined the spacey sound of late Nineties and early Noughties pop, fusing electronica with jungle, trip-hop and new-age, and dominating the charts with production on songs including All Saints’ “Pure Shores”, Blur’s “Coffee & TV” and several by Madonna, with whom he had his most fruitful collaboration.
After being impressed by his work on a remix of one of her early Nineties singles, Madonna personally selected Orbit to produce what would become her 1998 album Ray of Light. Widely considered one of the greatest bodies of work in her back catalogue, Ray of Light featured blockbuster singles including “Frozen”, “The Power of Good-bye” and its title track.
He’d further collaborate with her on the Austin Powers 2 single “Beautiful Stranger”, along with songs on her later albums including 2000’s Music. Orbit was awarded three Grammys for his work with Madonna: Best Pop Album for Ray of Light and Best Dance Recording for the lead single of the same name, while “Beautiful Stranger” was named Best Song Written For Visual Media.
Other artists who went on to work with Orbit included U2, No Doubt, Melanie C, Pink and Britney Spears.
The Spice Girls’ Mel C, who tapped Orbit up for her debut solo album Northern Star in 1999, is among those who have paid tribute following his death. She wrote on Instagram: “Such an honour to have worked with this great man. Sending all my love.”
“I remember going to William’s studio many years ago, I was so nervous but he was so warm and unassuming and genuinely curious about me and my music,” wrote singer Katy B. “I still remember how welcome I felt. What an amazing legacy and major loss.”
Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin said: “Been dancing to his music for literally decades, thank you for all the great music we shall have forever.”
Songwriter and producer Patrick Leonard, who worked on several Ray of Light tracks, added: “Very sad to see this. William was an absolute one-off. His work was brilliant and completely unique. A total pioneer and a gifted creator. We were lucky to have him. May he rest in peace.”
In his later years, Orbit focused on his solo material and released his 12th studio album, The Painter, in 2022. The record marked a triumphant return to form for Orbit, who had struggled with drug-induced mental health issues during a rough period in 2020.
He told The Guardian in 2021: “I realised that I had to grow up a bit. I’ve just left my adolescence. It’s great being 65 – it’s easier than being 40, because you’re an old dude and you don’t have an agenda any more.”
“It’s a young game, the pop music game. But I think there’s room for one Bill Nighy,” he said, referencing the actor’s ageing rocker in Love Actually. “It’s not like it’s a crowded field.”
He also said then that his new music was “the best thing I’ve done in 20 years”, telling the publication: “You’ve caught me at a turning point. You can have a turning point at any age and this is mine.”
