David Z, Grammy-Winning Producer and Early Prince Collaborator, Dies at 78

David Rivkin—the Grammy-winning audio engineer, producer, and musical visionary universally celebrated as David Z—has passed away at 78. According to reports from The Minneapolis Star Tribune, the influential studio maestro succumbed to complications from an infection on Sunday, August 2, at a Burbank, California medical facility.

As a foundational architect of the distinctive Minneapolis Sound, David Z was instrumental in shaping the early trajectory of rock royalty Prince, engineering foundational albums and crafting vital early demos. His deft touch behind the mixing console also shaped massive global milestones, including Lipps Inc.’s unstoppable 1980 Hot 100 chart-topper, “Funkytown.” Furthermore, his co-production prowess fueled the Fine Young Cannibals’ timeless 1989 smash, “She Drives Me Crazy,” which secured a prestigious Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.

Throughout an illustrious career that spanned decades, David Z partnered with a pantheon of legendary vocalists and musicians, from Etta James and Buddy Guy to Jonny Lang and Al Green. His extensive catalog of hits includes co-producing Jody Watley’s chart-dominating singles “Looking for a New Love” and “Some Kind of Lover,” alongside impactful R&B/Hip-Hop chart successes for Prince-adjacent sensations like The Family (“Screams of Passion”) and Sheila E (“Hold Me”). His meticulous craftsmanship ultimately earned him a Grammy Award in 2005 for his outstanding work on Etta James’ acclaimed album, Blues to the Bone.

In an official statement addressing his brother’s passing, Bobby Z—famed drummer for Prince & The Revolution—celebrated the producer’s fearless, boundary-pushing studio mentality, fondly remembering his unorthodox recording methods and cementing his legacy as an authentic artistic rebel.

Beyond his impressive technical acumen, David Z’s creative ethos bridged generations of artists, helping crystallize a musical movement that put Minneapolis on the international map during the late 1970s and 1980s. His pioneering engineering techniques left an indelible mark across the genres of funk, rock, soul, and pop.

Paying homage to his monumental contributions, the Minneapolis Sound Facebook community shared a heartfelt tribute: “You were an integral and irreplaceable pillar of the Minneapolis Sound, David, and your legacy will forever be cherished.”

David Z is survived by his loving brothers, Bobby Z and Stephen Rivkin, alongside his children and grandchildren.

Source