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William Orbit, Producer Who Rewrote Pop with Ray of Light, Dies at 69

His family said on social media that he died at home on July 23 and did not disclose a cause.

Overview

  • Orbit’s family and close friends posted on his official social accounts on August 7 that he died at home on July 23 at age 69 and offered no cause for his death.
  • He produced Madonna’s 1998 album Ray of Light, a landmark record that won multiple Grammys and helped bring ambient and electronic textures into mainstream pop.
  • Orbit built a wide career as a solo artist and collaborator, starting with Torch Song and Bassomatic and later producing or remixing work for Blur, U2, Britney Spears, Pink and others.
  • He had publicly recounted a drug-related psychotic episode from 2017 and subsequent recovery, a detail outlets have cited when summarizing his later life and work.
  • High-profile tributes, including a public message from Madonna, and widespread obituaries have highlighted his influence on modern pop and could prompt renewed attention to his catalogue and late-career releases.