William Orbit, the Grammy-winning musician and producer best known for his work with Madonna, All Saints and Blur, died on July 23. He was 69.
Orbit’s family confirmed his death in a statement posted to his Instagram account on Friday. “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. “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.” A cause of death was not given.
Throughout his career, Orbit built a sizable discography as both a solo musician and producer/remixer for other artists. On his own, he found chart success in his native U.K. with “Barber’s Adagio for Strings” as remixed by Ferry Corsten, as well as 2003’s “Feel Good Time,” a collaboration with Pink for the “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” soundtrack.
But to pop fans, he was best known as a central force on career-defining albums including Madonna’s “Ray of Light,” Blur’s “13” and Beth Orton’s debut “Superpinkymandy.” With Madonna, he won three Grammys including best pop album for “Ray of Light,” dance recording for “Ray of Light” and song written for visual media with “Beautiful Stranger.”
