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William Orbit, the Producer Who Defined '90s Electronic Pop, Has Died at 69
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- Electronic Music Hub
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William Orbit, the British producer who quietly shaped the sound of electronic pop for three decades, has died at the age of 69.
His name was rarely the first one said, but it's on records almost everyone owns. Orbit co-produced Madonna's 'Ray of Light' (1998) — the Grammy-winning album that dragged electronic music into the pop mainstream — produced Blur's '13' (1999), and helmed All Saints' 'Pure Shores' and 'Black Coffee', both UK number ones.
A catalogue deeper than the hits
Beyond the chart work, Orbit was a restless electronic artist in his own right. His 'Strange Cargo' ambient series began in 1987, and his 'Pieces in a Modern Style' (2000) reimagined classical compositions — the Ferry Corsten remix of its 'Barber's Adagio for Strings' becoming a bona fide club anthem. He co-founded Torch Song and Bassomatic, and ran Guerilla Records during the UK progressive house boom.
Tributes
The tributes have been immediate and heartfelt. Madonna wrote that "you were my Ray of Light", while Above & Beyond called him "a wonderful person and incredible musician". Few producers touched as many defining records while staying so far from the spotlight.
Read more: William Orbit, the producer behind Madonna and a generation of electronic pop, has died at 69
Photo via William Orbit