Acclaimed British music producer William Orbit, known for his work with acts including Madonna, Blur, All Saints and Pink, has died at the age of 69.
A statement released on Friday by Orbit’s family and friends “with profound sadness” said he died at home on 23 July. No cause of death was given.
“He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness,” the statement said.
London-born Orbit, who real name was William Wainwright, helped to reinvigorate Madonna’s career in 1998 with the album Ray of Light, which blended electronic dance music and ambient techno with pop and trip-hop.
It went on to win three Grammy Awards and remains, for many people, the Queen of Pop’s greatest record.
‘Genius and pioneer’
Spice Girl Mel C paid tribute, posting that it had been “such an honour to have worked with this great man” on her 1999 debut solo album Northern Star
“Sending all my love,” she added.
Nicole Appleton of girl group All Saints wrote: “We were fortunate enough to work with him on many occasions and on many songs. In the studio, he made me feel so confident, comfortable and always brought the best out in me.
“He was a treasure in the music industry and we had the most amazing times in the studio and socially. We will forever celebrate him as a music icon. Sending love to all his friends and family.”
Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin noted: “Been dancing to his music for literally decades, thank you for all the great music we shall have forever.”
Sister Bliss from fellow London dance act Faithless wrote: “Genius and pioneer… wouldn’t have a life in music without him.”
Modern electro-pop artist Georgia added: “It was an honour to work with William, I will cherish it forever, long may he live with the electronic acid sounds in the sky.”
Speaking to the Official Chart company in 2015 about the process of making Ray of Light, Orbit said: “We got in studio, broke all the rules and didn’t really think about the consequences.
“I’m very proud of my work on that record – I think it still holds up today,” added the musician and composer.
Madonna and Orbit combined again to great effect in 1999 on her number two UK chart hit Beautiful Stranger, which he co-wrote and played on.
The track, which earned them another Grammy, also featured on the soundtrack to the second Austin Powers movie, The Spy Who Shagged Me.
In 2000, Orbit worked on Madonna’s album Music, as well as releasing his own Grammy-nominated solo LP, Pieces In A Modern Style – a critically acclaimed electronic-classical crossover record.
He and Madonna reunited in 2012 when he produced six tracks on her MDNA album.
With Blur, Orbit produced the 1999 album 13, which saw the Britpop band take a darker and rawer lyrical turn, providing hit singles such as Tender, Coffee & TV and No Distance Left To Run.
He later worked on their track Sweet Song from 2003’s Think Tank album.
Orbit’s collaboration with pop star Pink, Feel Good Time, from the soundtrack of 2003 film Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, brought more success, reaching number three in the UK and bagging another Grammy nomination.
His signature soundscape gave many of his recordings a dreamy, blissful aura – whether on upbeat hits by Madonna or Pink, or slower songs like Pure Shores and Black Coffee by All Saints.
Group member Shaznay Lewis and Orbit wrote Pure Shores for the 2000 film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and the track went to number one in the UK.
Lewis posted a broken heart emoji in response to the news of his death.
His other collaborators included Beth Orton, including co-writing her 1996 single She Cries Your Name; and U2, producing the Irish band’s 2002 single Electrical Storm.
Orbit released 12 studio albums as a solo artist, the best-received being 1999’s Pieces in a Modern Style, which featured his interpretations of various classical pieces.
The album reached number four, and a dance remix of his version of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings was a club smash and went to number two in the singles chart.
