David Z, producer behind Prince’s early demos, dies at 78
David “Z” Rivkin, a Grammy-winning producer tied to Prince’s early work and “Funkytown,” died in California, his brother said.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
David Z dead at 78: David “Z” Rivkin, the Grammy-winning Minneapolis producer and engineer who worked on Prince’s early demo recordings, has died. Rivkin died Sunday at a hospital in Burbank, California, from complications of an infection, his brother Bobby Z told the Minnesota Star Tribune. He was 78.
Rivkin was a central figure in the Minneapolis music scene as a producer, engineer, songwriter and guitarist, according to Variety and the Star Tribune. His credits stretched from Prince’s formative years to Lipps Inc.’s disco fixture “Funkytown,” as well as sessions with artists including Etta James, Fine Young Cannibals, the Jets and Jonny Lang.
What was David Z’s role in Prince’s early recordings?
Rivkin produced Prince’s early demo tapes and engineered several of his early albums, Variety and the Star Tribune reported. Owen Husney, Prince’s first manager, said he introduced Rivkin to Prince at Sound 80 in 1976, when Prince was 18.
Husney told the Star Tribune that Rivkin became a key creative presence in many projects while largely avoiding the spotlight. Rivkin also worked on live recordings that later formed the basis for three songs connected to the Purple Rain album and film, Variety reported.
His reach went well beyond Prince. The Star Tribune reported that Rivkin helped Steven Greenberg make “Funkytown,” Lipps Inc.’s 1980 hit. He won two Grammys for producing Etta James, according to Rolling Stone, Variety and the Star Tribune.
Rivkin also received a Record of the Year Grammy nomination for his work on Fine Young Cannibals’ “She Drives Me Crazy,” the outlets reported. Billboard said his later collaborators included Buddy Guy and Al Green.
Bobby Z, the former Prince & the Revolution drummer, told the Star Tribune that his brother experimented with how instruments were connected and used a mixing board in unconventional ways. He called him a creative rebel in the studio.
Rivkin is survived by brothers Bobby Z and Stephen Rivkin; his children, Charley, Amy, Josh and Shelby; and two grandchildren, Variety reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Rolling Stone.