William Orbit, Producer For Madonna, Blur & More, Passes Away

Mary Varvaris

"He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness," Orbit's family and friends said.

William Orbit on Later with Jools Holland
William Orbit on Later with Jools Holland(Credit: YouTube)

William Orbit, a Grammy Award-winning musician and producer, has passed away. He was 69.

His passing was confirmed in a social media post shared on Friday (7 August), attributed to family and friends. The statement said that Orbit died at home on 23 July; no cause of death was given.

“It is with profound sadness that the family and friends of William Orbit announce that William passed away at home on 23rd July 2026,” the statement reads.

It continued, “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, best known for working with Madonna and producing her multi-Grammy Award-winning seventh album, Ray Of Light, released in 1998, had a reputation for being an impressive producer with a range of sounds and ideas who pushed artists forward.

In addition to Ray Of Light, Orbit’s work with Madonna included co-writing and performing with her on the song Beautiful Stranger and co-writing and producing a handful of songs on her 2000 album, Music. He also worked on her 2012 album, MDNA, with a group of writers. He co-produced six songs on the album, including the Golden Globe-winning song, Masterpiece.

His career achievements stretched beyond Madonna. He produced Blur’s 1999 album, 13, worked with Britney Spears and will.i.am on the album, Britney Jean, and produced two tracks for Queen, one of which – There Must Be More to Life Than This – contained archive vocals by Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson.

Orbit collaborated with several other artists, including Prince, Mel C, U2, Pink, Robbie Williams, Ricky Martin, Sugababes, All Saints, Kraftwerk, Belinda Carlisle, Beth Orton, Beck, and many more.

Numerous artists have since paid tribute to Orbit since news of his passing was announced. Mel C wrote that it was “Such an honour to have worked with this great man. Sending all my love.” Nat Dunn shared that the world has lost “a rare one” and also sent her love to his loved ones.

Others who shared tributes include Fatboy Slim, Ferry Corsten, Arca, Sister Bliss, Jools Holland, Tina Arena, and many more.