David Z, Grammy-Winning Producer Who Helped Craft Prince’s Early Music, Dead at 78
David Rivkin, known professionally as David Z, was a Grammy Award-winning music producer who helped establish the distinctive Minneapolis Sound and played a formative role in Prince's early career. Rivkin passed away at age 78 in a Burbank hospital on Sunday following complications from an infection.
Beyond his work with Prince, Rivkin's production credits included significant contributions to hits like "Funkytown" and collaborations with artists such as Etta James, Fine Young Cannibals, and the Jets. His achievements earned him two Grammy Awards and a nomination for record of the year, though he remained relatively quiet about his influence on the Minneapolis music scene, which he characterised as a uniquely isolated creative environment distinct from other major music hubs.
- David Z, 78-year-old Grammy-winning producer and architect of the Minneapolis Sound, died from infection complications in Burbank
- He shaped Prince's early music career and contributed to hits including 'Funkytown,' earning two Grammy Awards and one nomination for record of the year
- Rivkin maintained a quiet presence despite his significant influence on the Minneapolis music scene and worked with artists including Etta James and Fine Young Cannibals