David Z | |
---|---|
Birth name | David Rivkin |
Also known as | David Z |
Born | c.1953 |
Origin | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Genres |
Rock Funk Pop rock |
Occupation(s) | Music Producer, Songwriter, Audio Engineer |
Instruments | Drum Machine, guitar, piano |
Years active | 1969–Present |
Associated acts |
Prince Etta James Fine Young Cannibals Freddie Stevenson Leo Kottke Mike Gordon John Brannen A-ha |
David Z (born David Rivkin) is an American music producer, engineer, mixer, and writer from Minneapolis, Minnesota who currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
He is most well known for his long-standing work with Prince, but has also contributed to award winning albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, BoDeans, Buddy Guy and Neneh Cherry. He worked with Elisa Fiorillo in 1990 on her album I Am, which included the singles "On the Way Up" and "Oooh This I Need", and with Terri Nunn from Berlin on her 1991 album Moment of Truth. He also produced the US #1 single "She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals (creating the song's signature snare drum sound) and the A-ha album Memorial Beach. He was a member of Lipps Inc, with whom he had a US #1 and UK #2 hit with "Funkytown."
David is eldest of three brothers each of whom work in media entertainment. His youngest brother Bobby Z. was the original drummer in Prince's band The Revolution whilst his middle brother Stephen E. Rivkin is notable for his work as a film editor, particularly as editor of the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy of films and Avatar.