David Z, Grammy-winning producer for Prince, dies at 78

David Z Rivkin, the Grammy-winning producer and engineer widely regarded as a principal architect of the Minneapolis Sound, died on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at a hospital in Burbank, California. He was 78. His death was due to complications from an infection, according to his brother, Bobby Z Rivkin, the longtime drummer for Prince and the Revolution, who confirmed the news.

Rivkin, known professionally as David Z, played a pivotal role in launching Prince’s career. In 1976, Prince’s first manager, Owen Husney, introduced the 18-year-old musician to Rivkin at Sound 80 studios. After listening to Prince’s demo and offering musical suggestions, Prince told Husney that Rivkin was the only producer he wanted to work with. That collaboration was instrumental in Prince securing a contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1977. Rivkin later engineered live recordings that became the basis for three songs on Prince’s landmark 1984 album and film, "Purple Rain."

His influence extended far beyond his work with Prince. Rivkin engineered Lipps Inc.’s 1980 chart-topping hit "Funkytown," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also co-produced Fine Young Cannibals’ 1989 smash "She Drives...