Music producer William Orbit has died aged 69.
A statement posted on social media from Orbit’s family and friends announced that he died at home on July 23.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing,” said the statement. “He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness.”
Orbit, who was born William Wainwright in London, won honours including Grammys and Ivor Novello Awards.
As well as being a composer and musician, Orbit was known for bringing his distinctive production style to albums and singles by artists including Madonna, All Saints, Blur, U2, Pink, Britney Spears, No Doubt, Robbie Williams and Katie Melua.
His most notable success was on Madonna’s Grammy-winning 1998 album Ray Of Light, a huge commercial success globally. Ray Of Light is certified six times platinum in the UK with consumption to date of 1,769,878 (Official Charts Company).
“I can listen to Ray Of Light now, but I almost died at the end,” William Orbit told Music Week four years ago. “It’s like nothing I’ve experienced before or since. If I’m squeamish about listening to records I’ve worked on, it’s the fear of hearing things I’d want to change, rather than the association with a tough time.”
Orbit’s spacey sound and subtle textures were also in evidence on All Saints’ Pure Shores, which spent two weeks at No.1 in 2000. It has UK consumption to date of 1,679,819 units.
He released multiple solo albums and his production success in the late ’90s helped to secure a No.2 chart placing for 2000's Pieces In A Modern Style, an impressive result for an ambient and electronic/classical crossover record with a version of Samuel Barber’s Adagio For Strings.
Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images
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