David Z, Minneapolis Sound Architect and Prince's Early Sonic Blueprint, Has Died

David Z—the engineer, producer, and musician who was there when Prince was still finding his sound—passed away at 78. His brother Bobby Z, who drummed for Prince for decades, confirmed the loss.

Z wasn't just a guy behind the glass. He engineered some of Prince's most foundational work, helped capture those early demo tapes that would shape his trajectory, and co-produced records that defined what we now call the Minneapolis Sound—that particular blend of funk, synth-pop, and R&B that made the city legendary in the '80s. He was also hands-on with Lipps Inc.'s "Funky Town," the infectious single that became a worldwide hit.

Beyond Prince's orbit, Z built a resume most producers would kill for: he worked with Fine Young Cannibals, the Jets, and Jonny Lang among others. He was a multi-instrumentalist too, not just a technician. That kind of musicianship in the studio—understanding what you're hearing because you can play it yourself—changes everything.

The Minneapolis Sound loses another foundational voice. Prince built the mythology, but Z was one of the architects of the actual blueprint.

Read the full story at Variety → https://variety.com/2026/music/news/david-z-dead-prince-minneapolis-sound-1236826721/