William Orbit, a British producer who worked extensively with Madonna, U2, Blur, and others, has died. He was 69.
William Orbit had a ‘Ray of Light’ sequel locked and loaded for Madonna, but says he received ‘no response’.
Orbit’s family and friends released a statement on his verified Instagram account, stating that he died at home on July 23. “He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness,” the statement stated. The reason for death was not provided.
Orbit was best known for his work on Madonna’s 1998 album, Ray of Light, where his distinctive sounds, which included parts of techno, trip-hop, and downtempo, provided an ethereal accompaniment to songs like “Frozen” and the title track. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and won best pop album at the 1999 Grammys, while the title tune took home best dance recording.
Over the next decade, the two collaborated regularly, with Orbit producing “Beautiful Stranger,” “American Pie,” and tracks on Madge’s 2000 album Music and 2012’s MDNA.
In an interview with Keyboard magazine in 1998, Madonna referred to Orbit as “a complete madman genius.” Orbit put an end to rumors of a Ray of Light sequel earlier this year with the release of her 2026 album, Confessions II, a follow-up to 2005’s Confessions on a Dance Floor.
“I have an album ready that imho is indeed the successor to ROL,” he posted on Facebook in March. “Everything about how it was made and how it sounds yells that from the first few bars.” He claimed that despite reaching out to her camp with the suggestion, he received no reaction. “One week later. I speak with those close to her, including family, but have not received a single syllable back in over two decades. There I said it.”
In addition to the Queen of Pop, Orbit produced Blur’s 1997 album 13, which saw the band shift away from their Britpop sound and toward darker themes and a style influenced by global music.
The album produced a number of songs that the band would continue to perform over the years, such as “Coffee & TV,” “Tender,” and “No Distance Left to Run.”
Throughout his career, Orbit has been on singles by U2 (“Electrical Storm,” 2000), All Saints (“Pure Shores,” 2000), and P!NK (“Feel Good Time,” 2003); Britney Spears (“Alien,” 2013); and Chris Brown (“Don’t Wake Up,” 2012).
Orbit released albums under his own name, most notably the Strange Cargo LP trilogy from 1987 to 1993, which are regarded as British electronic scene classics. His 1999 album, Pieces in a Modern Style, landed at No. 2 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart, while his version of “Barber’s Adagio for Strings” peaked at No. 4 on the Singles Chart. His most recent album, The Painter, was published in 2022.
Melanie C, who collaborated with Orbit on the 1999 hit “Go!,” commented on the announcement, writing, “Such an honor to have worked with this great man.”
Katy B, a British dancer, stated, “I remember going to William’s studio many years ago. I was so anxious, but he was so sweet and humble and truly interested in me and my music. I still remember how welcome I felt. What an incredible legacy and significant loss.”
