Electronic producer William Orbit has died aged 69.
On a statement posted to social media, William Orbit (born William Wainwright) was announced to have passed away at home on July 23. No cause of death was given.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing,” the statement reads. “He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness.”
A prolific producer in his own right, Orbit worked with a number of musicians including Madonna, Blur, Ricky Martin, U2, Britney Spears and more.
Melanie C, who worked with Wainwright for her debut album ‘Northern Star’, wrote: “Such an honour to have worked with this great man. Sending all my love xxx”.
In his own post, DJ Ferry Corsten said: “He had a truly unique way of looking at music. He never followed the obvious path. He constantly challenged convention, embraced the unexpected, and created sounds that felt years ahead of their time.
“Every time we worked together, I walked away inspired. Not just by his incredible talent, but by his curiosity, his openness, and the fearless way he approached creativity.”
Erol Alkan also paid tribute to the producer on the Instagram post, writing: “Incredible producer. Made so many records I love. My sincerest condolences. RIP.”
Read a list of tributes to the acclaimed producer below:
Wainwright was born to two schoolteachers in London on 15 December 1956. He first started making music as Torch Song in 1980, teaming up with electronic musicians Laurie Mayer and Grant Gilbert. Their hits included ‘Prepare to Energize’, which was featured in the movie Bachelor Party, while Mayer and Wainwright would compose the scores for the movies Youngblood (1986) together.
They also founded Guerilla Studios together, which would birth Wainwright’s label, Guerilla Records.
During the 90s, Wainwright also formed the group Bassomatic featuring Canadian vocalist Sharon Musgrave and rapper MC Inna Onestep. He would also remix the Madonna songs ‘Justify My Love’ and ‘Erotica’, which would lead to their eventual collaboration.
In 1993, he began work on then-girlfriend Beth Orton’s debut album, ‘Superpinkymandy’, which spawned the opening track ‘She Cries Your Name’ on her second album ‘Trailer Park’.
Then, in 1998, he was the executive producer of Madonna’s album ‘Ray Of Light’. The album was praised for its innovative blend of trip-hop, new age and techno influences, going on to win three Grammys at the 1999 ceremony. It is considered by many Madonna fans to be her magnum opus.
Upon its release, the album debuted at Number Two on the US Billboard 200, with the biggest first-week sales by a female artist at the time. It also peaked at Number One in 17 countries.
He went on to work with Madonna on the albums ‘Music’ and ‘MDNA’. In a Facebook post, he also claimed to have written a “successor” to ‘Ray of Light’, but said he had “nil response” from the popstar.
In the same post, Wainwright went on to add that he was writing a book chronicling his experience in the music industry.
Wainwright would also transform Blur’s sound on the 1999 album ’13’, pivoting away from the Britpop sound that the band became famous for and gearing more towards electronica and art-rock.
It was during this year that his dance take on Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings went to the UK Top 5, thanks to a trance remix by Ferry Corsten.
