William Orbit, producer of Madonna's 'Ray of Light', dies at 69

William Orbit, the English record producer known for his work on Madonna's 'Ray of Light' and numerous pop and rock albums of the 1990s and 2000s, died on July 23 at the age of 69. His family announced the news on Facebook on August 7, 2026. Orbit rose to prominence in the late 1990s, largely due to his collaboration with Madonna. His production on 'Ray of Light', which blended trip hop, European electronic music, and jungle influences, was instrumental to the album's success and helped reinvent the sound of one of the world's most important pop stars. The album won four Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Album. His reputation was further enhanced by his work on '13', the sixth album by Blur, which featured the tracks 'Tender' and 'Coffee & TV', demonstrating his versatility across different musical genres. Orbit also worked with artists such as Britney Spears, Pink, U2, Ricky Martin, Robbie Williams, Kraftwerk, and Beck, among others.