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William Orbit, Producer for Madonna, Blur, and Britney Spears, Dies at 69
The Grammy-winning producer helped shape Madonna’s 1998 album "Ray of Light," which sold more than 16 million copies worldwide, according to reports.
- Grammy-Winning producer William Orbit, born William Mark Wainwright, died at home on July 23, 2026, at age 69. His family announced the passing in a statement posted to his Instagram account on Friday, August 7.
- Orbit rose to prominence producing Madonna's 1998 album 'Ray of Light,' which reinvented the singer through spiritual dance music. The partnership yielded hit singles including 'Frozen,' selling more than 16 million copies worldwide.
- Beyond his work with Madonna, Orbit produced records for Blur, All Saints, Britney Spears, Pink, and Beth Orton. He found solo success with his 'Strange Cargo' albums and his 2003 collaboration with Pink, 'Feel Good Time.'
- Musicians expressed grief over the loss of the 'unassuming' producer. Katy B said, 'I remember going to William's studio many years ago,' while Melanie C noted it was 'such an honour to have worked with this great man.'
- Orbit remained active as a solo musician throughout his career, most recently releasing the albums 'The Painter' in 2022 and 'WFO' in 2024. His influence spans decades through an extensive discography of solo and collaborative work.
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‘He will be greatly missed’: Acclaimed producer William Orbit, who worked with Madonna and Pink, passes away aged 69
Renowned music producer William Orbit has died at the age of sixty-nine, a heartbreaking announcement made by his family on July twenty-third, 2026. Celebrated for his pioneering contributions to electronic music, he left an indelible mark through collaborations with iconic artists such as Madonna and U2. Tributes are flooding in from fans and luminaries, all honoring Orbit's creativity and influence in reshaping modern musical landscapes.
·India
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Death of producer William Orbit, artisan of Madonna's "Ray of Light" album
·Montreal, Canada
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Total News Sources112
Leaning Left23Leaning Right13Center53Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Center
Bias Distribution
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59% Center
L 26%
C 59%
15%
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