Rivkin, unsung force behind Minneapolis Sound and Prince, dies at 78
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David Rivkin, a musician and producer whose contributions were central to Prince's early development and Minneapolis's distinctive musical identity, passed away at age 78 following infection complications at a California hospital. His work as an engineer, songwriter, and guitarist spanned from the 1960s through recent decades, shaping some of the era's most influential recordings.
Over his career, Rivkin earned two Grammy Awards for his work with Etta James and received a nomination for co-producing Fine Young Cannibals' 'She Drives Me Crazy.' Beginning with regional success in the 1960s and continuing after his return to Minneapolis in 1974, he became an understated yet integral figure in the city's music community, collaborating with artists ranging from Gram Parsons to Buddy Guy to Jody Watley.
- David Rivkin, a Grammy-winning producer and engineer who shaped Prince's early sound and the Minneapolis music scene, died at 78 from infection complications
- His six-decade career included seminal work on tracks like Lipps Inc.'s 'Funky Town' and collaborations with Etta James, Elvis Costello, and numerous other artists
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David Rivkin was a musician, engineer and producer who worked behind the scenes on some of the most influential American music of the past sixty years. He is best known for helping shape Prince's early sound and for his role in developing what became known as the Minneapolis Sound, a distinctive style of funk-influenced pop that grew out of that city's music scene from the 1970s onwards. Despite this influence, Rivkin was not a household name, working mostly as a collaborator and behind-the-mixing-desk figure rather than a performer in the spotlight.
His career stretched from regional success in the 1960s to decades of production and songwriting work afterwards, including two Grammy Awards for his work with blues and soul singer Etta James and a further nomination for co-producing the 1988 pop hit 'She Drives Me Crazy' by Fine Young Cannibals. Along the way he worked with a wide range of artists, from country-rock musician Gram Parsons to blues guitarist Buddy Guy and singer Jody Watley.
He died at 78 following complications from an infection. His death is being marked as the loss of a quietly influential figure whose studio work helped define both Prince's sound and Minneapolis's wider reputation as a music hub.
More coverage
- Billboard — David Z, Grammy-Winning Producer Who Helped Prince’s Early Career, Dies at 78
- Stereogum — Minneapolis Producer David Z Dead At 78
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Originally published by Variety as “David Z, Longtime Prince Associate and Key Architect of ‘the Minneapolis Sound,’ Dies at 78”.