Madonna’s producer William Orbit has died aged 69.
The studio wizard passed away on July 23. At the time of writing, no cause of death is known.
A statement across Orbit’s social media pages read: “We are deeply saddened by his passing.
“He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness.”
As well as his work with Madonna, Orbit is known for working his magic on records by Blur, U2, Britney Spears, Robbie Williams, Queen, and many more.
Tributes have flooded in for the multi-award-winning producer.
Spice Girl Melanie C, who teamed up with Orbit on her debut solo album Northern Star, posted: “Such an honour to have worked with this great man. Sending all my love xxx.”
Fellow producer Erol Alkan wrote: “Incredible producer. Made so many records I love. My sincerest condolences. RIP.”
Months before his passing, Orbit revealed he’d already written what he considered a spiritual follow-up to Madonna’s Ray of Light – but admitted the project was “not going to happen” because he hadn’t heard back from the Queen of Pop.
The producer, who won multiple Grammys for his work on the 1998 album, shared a long message on Facebook explaining that despite his hopes of reconnecting creatively with the music legend, he hadn’t had any contact from her in more than 20 years.
Orbit wrote in March: “Right. Let’s put this Madonna ROL 2.0 thing to rest here and now folks. Can get exhausting.
Is NOT going to happen.
Look, why don’t I just lay it out, cos I get asked constantly.
I have an album ready that, in my opinion, is indeed the successor to Ray Of Light. Everything about how it was made and how it sounds yells that from the first few bars.”
He went on to say he reached out to Madonna but received “nil response,” adding: “A week later. I speak with many close to her, including fam, but have not had a single syllable back in over two decades. There I said it.”
Despite the lack of communication, Orbit stressed he holds no resentment: “Zero zero absolute zero hard feelings. Are you kidding, I will always love that woman. For real. She made my career. But am I crying? Look at me. Crying with mirth and glee these days.”
Orbit also revealed he was writing a book, promising it would include his full story along with “deep chapters,” “pop goss,” cartoon art and his trademark humour.
He joked that he had “transitioned now to a man for whom Fs are no longer on offer – zero f***s for the music biz.”
The producer ended his post with a tongue-in-cheek farewell to the idea of working with Madonna again: “So, for the history books, she doesn’t love me any more – waaaaaaaaah.
Awww.
No icon for Billy.
Never mind, there’ll be another one along.
For my ROL 2.
And this time Billy goes full gonzo. (sic)”
It’s unknown how far along he was with the tell-all tome before his death.
He last worked with Madonna on her 2012 album MDNA, having previously collaborated on Ray Of Light and Music, two of the most acclaimed records of her career.
His last music credit was for All Saints’ 2018 LP Testament.
