Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Grammy Award-winning producer William Orbit has died aged 69, his family and friends have confirmed.
The London-born musician died at home on July 23, with his family saying in a statement posted to his Instagram page he would be “greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched”.
“It is with profound sadness that the family and friends of William Orbit announce that William passed away at home on July 23, 2026,” the statement read.
“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, on which the US singer moved into electronica and trip hop.
He also worked with her on the 2000 album Music, and co-wrote and performed on her 1999 UK number two single Beautiful Stranger.
Orbit picked up two Grammys for best pop album and best dance recording for Ray Of Light, 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, on which the band took a darker lyrical turn, and produced singles such as Tender, Coffee & TV and No Distance Left To Run.
He also worked on Blur’s track Sweet Song from 2003’s Think Tank album.
Orbit also collaborated with Spice Girl Mel C on her 1999 debut solo album Northern Star, and in 2018 he worked on After All, a song from British girl group All Saints’ fifth studio album, Testament.
“Such an honour to have worked with this great man. Sending all my love,” Mel C posted on Instagram in a tribute to Orbit.
Orbit also worked with Britney Spears and Will.i.am on the 2013 album Britney Jean, and produced a 2014 version of the Freddie Mercury solo track There Must Be More to Life Than This, which featured Michael Jackson using archive vocals, and Queen.
For Irish rock band U2, Orbit produced two songs – Electrical Storm and The Hands That Built America – which were the only previously unreleased tracks to feature on their compilation The Best Of 1990-2000.
Also paying tribute to Orbit was fellow producer Erol Alkan, who posted: “Incredible producer. Made so many records I love. My sincerest condolences.”
Orbit had a solo career that produced 12 studio albums, largely of electronic music, and was also a member of the groups Bassomatic and Torch Song.
