Madonna and Blur producer William Orbit dies aged 69

British musician and producer William Orbit has passed away at the age of 69, according to a statement released on his social media on Friday. His family and friends announced his death occurred at home on July 23. The Grammy-winning Orbit, known for his collaborations with renowned artists such as Madonna, Britney Spears, and U2, left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Born in London, Orbit's career was marked by two Grammy Awards, both earned for his production work on Madonna's 1998 album Ray Of Light. He played a pivotal role in the artist's transition into electronica and trip-hop, contributing to the album's success and earning another Grammy for best song written for visual media with the track Beautiful Stranger.

Orbit's influence extended beyond Madonna, as he also worked with Britney Spears, Britpop band Blur, All Saints, and Spice Girl Melanie C. The news of his death has been met with tributes from his peers, including Nicole Appleton of All Saints, who described him as a "treasure in the music industry" and expressed gratitude for their time together in the studio and socially.

Orbit's musical journey spanned over a decade, with 12 studio albums primarily in the electronic genre, and he was also a member of the bands Bassomatic and Torch Song.