🎛️ William Orbit, producer behind *Ray of Light*, dies at 69

William Orbit, the British musician and producer, died on July 23, 2026. His family confirmed the news via his official Instagram account. No cause of death was given.

Orbit held three Grammy Awards, all for his work with Madonna on *Ray of Light* (1998): best pop album, best dance recording, and best song written for visual media for "Beautiful Stranger."

Beyond Madonna, he produced Blur's *13*, Beth Orton's debut *Superpinkymandy*, and worked with U2, All Saints, Britney Spears, No Doubt and Melanie C. His Guerilla Studios hosted the Cocteau Twins, Gary Numan and Sting, among others.

His most recent solo releases were *The Painter* (2022) and *WFO* (2024), per Variety. He was 69.