{
  "id": 267667,
  "title": "William Orbit, U2 and Madonna producer, dies aged 69",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/william-orbit-u2-and-madonna-producer-dies-aged-69",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-07T13:59:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/0807/1586969-william-orbit-u2-and-madonna-producer-dies-aged-69/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "William Orbit, a Grammy Award-winning music producer known for his work with U2, Madonna, and various other artists, has passed away at the age of 69, his family has announced. Born in London, Orbit was found deceased at his home on July 23, 2026, according to a statement shared via his Instagram account. The family expressed their profound sadness and emphasized the need for privacy during this difficult time.\n\nNotably, Orbit contributed to U2's \"The Hands That Built America\" and \"Electrical Storm.\" He played a significant role in Madonna's 1998 album \"Ray of Light,\" producing several hit tracks and earning two Grammys for Best Pop Album and Best Dance Recording. His work with Madonna also included \"Beautiful Stranger,\" which won a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media for its appearance in the film \"Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.\"\n\nBeyond his collaborations with U2 and Madonna, Orbit produced Blur's 1999 album \"13,\" which featured hit singles like \"Tender,\" \"Coffee & TV,\" and \"No Distance Left to Run.\" He also worked on Britney Spears' \"Britney Jean,\" Nadine Coyle's debut solo album \"Insatiable,\" and Melanie C's \"Northern Star.\" Orbit's own career included 12 studio albums of electronic music, and he was part of the bands Bassomatic and Torch Song.",
  "summary": "The Grammy Award-winning producer William Orbit, who worked with U2, Madonna, and many more, has died aged 69, his family and friends have announced.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "William Orbit, Grammy-Winning Producer for Madonna and Blur, Dies at 69",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/william-orbit-grammy-winning-producer-for-madonna-and-blur-dies-at-69",
        "published": "2026-08-07T12:49:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Pitchfork",
        "title": "William Orbit, Madonna and Blur Producer, Dies at 69",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/william-orbit-madonna-and-blur-producer-dies-at-69",
        "published": "2026-08-07T13:29:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ynetnews Culture",
        "title": "William Orbit, Grammy-winning producer, architect of Madonna’s electronic era, Dies at 69",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/william-orbit-grammy-winning-producer-architect-of-madonnas",
        "published": "2026-08-07T13:45:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "William Orbit, Grammy-winning British producer for Madonna and Blur, dies aged 69",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/william-orbit-grammy-winning-british-producer-for-madonna-and-blur",
        "published": "2026-08-07T14:03:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Music producer William Orbit, famous for work with Madonna, dies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/music-producer-william-orbit-famous-for-work-with-madonna-dies",
        "published": "2026-08-07T14:07:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "William Orbit Dies: Grammy-Winning Producer Of Madonna’s ‘Ray Of Light’ Was 69",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/william-orbit-dies-grammy-winning-producer-of-madonnas-ray-of-light",
        "published": "2026-08-07T14:23:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "William Orbit, Grammy-winning producer, dies at 69",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/william-orbit-grammy-winning-producer-dies-at-69",
        "published": "2026-08-07T14:49:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Rolling Stone",
        "title": "Madonna Pays Tribute to Producer William Orbit: ‘You Were My Ray of Light’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/madonna-pays-tribute-to-producer-william-orbit-you-were-my-ray-of",
        "published": "2026-08-08T16:17:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Madonna pays tribute to 'genius, otherworldly' producer William Orbit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/madonna-pays-tribute-to-genius-otherworldly-producer-william-orbit",
        "published": "2026-08-08T17:23:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}