William Orbit, pop producer for Madonna, All Saints and more, dies aged 69
Photograph: Eva PentelView image in fullscreenRay of light … William Orbit in 2022. “He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness,” the statement read. He was credited as a guest artist on the latter, and released a raft of albums and singles under his own name: his electronic twist on Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, aided by a trance remix by Ferry Corsten, reached the UK Top 5 in 1999.Success came relatively late for Orbit – at least in pop music terms.
- ▪Photograph: Eva PentelView image in fullscreenRay of light … William Orbit in 2022.
- ▪“He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness,” the statement read.
- ▪He was credited as a guest artist on the latter, and released a raft of albums and singles under his own name: his electronic twist on Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, aided by a trance remix by Ferry Corsten, reached the UK Top 5 in 199
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| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/07/william-orbit-pop-producer-madonna-all-saints-dies-aged-69 |
| Publication time | Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:01:58 GMT |
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Ray of light … William Orbit in 2022. Photograph: Eva PentelView image in fullscreenRay of light … William Orbit in 2022. Photograph: Eva PentelPop and rockWilliam Orbit, pop producer for Madonna, All Saints and more, dies aged 69Musician’s projects included Madonna’s Ray of Light, Blur’s 13 and All Saints’ chart-topping singles Pure Shores and Black CoffeeBen Beaumont-ThomasFri 7 Aug 2026 08.01 EDTLast modified on Fri 7 Aug 2026 08.27 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleWilliam Orbit, the British music producer whose dreamy yet propulsive style invigorated work by Madonna, Blur, All Saints, U2 and more, has died aged 69.A statement on his social media, attributed to family and friends, said he died at home on 23 July.
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