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{{short description|American drummer}}

{{Other uses|Bobby Z (disambiguation)}}
{{Other uses|Bobby Z (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}
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| genre = [[R&B]], [[funk music|funk]], [[rock music|rock]], [[soul music|soul]], [[New wave music|new wave]], [[Minneapolis sound]]
| genre = [[R&B]], [[funk music|funk]], [[rock music|rock]], [[soul music|soul]], [[New wave music|new wave]], [[Minneapolis sound]]
| occupation = Musician, drummer, record producer
| occupation = Musician, drummer, record producer
| instrument = Drums, percussion
| instrument = Drums, percussion, piano
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| label = Copycats
| label = Copycats
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}}
}}


'''Robert B. Rivkin''' (born January 9, 1956), better known by the stage name '''Bobby Z.''', is an American musician and record producer, most known as being the original drummer for [[Prince (musician)|Prince's]] backing band [[The Revolution (band)|The Revolution]] from 1978 to 1986.
'''Robert B. Rivkin''' (born January 9, 1956), aka '''Bobby Z.''', is an American musician and record producer, best known as being the drummer for [[Prince (musician)|Prince's]] backing band [[The Revolution (band)|The Revolution]] from 1978 to 1986.


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
===Early life===
===Early life===
Rivkin began his musical career at the age of six, playing several different instruments before finally settling on the [[drums]]. In junior high school, he formed a small touring band in the [[Minneapolis]] area that included future [[Chicago Bears]] football coach [[Marc Trestman]] on rhythm guitar.
Rivkin began his musical career at the age of six, playing several instruments before settling on the [[drums]]. In junior high school, he formed a small touring band in the [[Minneapolis]] area which included future [[Chicago Bears]] football coach [[Marc Trestman]] on rhythm guitar.


===Career with Prince===
===Career with Prince===
He met Prince in the late 1970s as Prince was forming his first band for touring. He started running errands for Prince while working for the man credited with discovering Prince, [[Owen Husney]]. Rivkin's stage name, Bobby Z., was derived from the nickname "Butzie" his grandmother used to call him.
Rivkin met Prince in the late 1970s as Prince was forming his first band for touring. He started running errands for Prince while working for [[Owen Husney]], who is credited with discovering Prince. Rivkin's stage name, Bobby Z., was derived from the nickname his grandmother used to call him, "Butzie".


Prince was adamant about having a [[Whites|white]] drummer in an effort to have a racially diverse band, so Husney implored Prince to audition Rivkin. Rivkin replaced Prince's cousin and original drummer Charles Smith much akin to [[Sly and the Family Stone]]. Rivkin was acknowledged in Prince's self-titled album as being a "heaven-sent" helper alongside [[Andre Cymone]]. By the time the ''[[1999 (Prince album)|1999]]'' album was released, Prince was relying more and more on [[electronic drum]]s and Rivkin had to adapt his style to operate these in concert as well as the studio, starting with ''[[Controversy (Prince album)|Controversy]]''. He also contributed to ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]'', ''[[Around the World in a Day]]'', ''[[Parade (Prince album)|Parade]]'' and ''[[Sign o' the Times]]''. In 1986 when [[Wendy & Lisa]] left The Revolution and the group disbanded after the [[Parade Tour]] ended, Prince also took the opportunity to replace Rivkin with [[Sheila E]], daughter of veteran [[Bay Area]] drummer and percussionist [[Pete Escovedo]].
Prince was adamant about having a [[Whites|white]] drummer in an effort to have a racially diverse band, so Husney implored Prince to audition Rivkin. Rivkin replaced Dale Alexander during the 94East band sessions, prior to Prince moving into his own "For You" album sessions. Alexander later became the drummer for Prince's protege group Madhouse in 1987. Rivkin was acknowledged in Prince's self-titled album as being a "heaven-sent" helper alongside [[Andre Cymone]]. By the time the ''[[1999 (Prince album)|1999]]'' album was released, Prince was relying more and more on [[electronic drum]]s and Rivkin had to adapt his style to operate these in concert as well as the studio, starting with ''[[Controversy (Prince album)|Controversy]]''. He contributed to ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]'', ''[[Around the World in a Day]]'', ''[[Parade (Prince album)|Parade]]'' and ''[[Sign o' the Times]]''. When The Revolution disbanded in 1986 after the [[Parade Tour]], Prince selected [[Sheila E]], the daughter of veteran [[Bay Area]] drummer and percussionist [[Pete Escovedo]], for his new band.


===Career after Prince and The Revolution===
===Career after Prince and The Revolution===
Bobby Z. produced The Suburbs' 1986 self-titled [[A&M Records]] album (credited as Robert Brent). In 1988 he produced some tracks for [[Boy George]]'s album, ''[[High Hat (album)|Tense Nervous Headache]]''. Rivkin helped Wendy & Lisa on their debut album and he released his own self-titled album in 1989 (which included a re-recorded version of "River Run Dry" that he wrote for [[The Family (band)|The Family]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/bobby-z-mw0000203283|title=Bobby Z - Bobby Z - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 25, 2017}}</ref> Rivkin has since focused more on producing for the recently launched record label branch of Copycats media.
Bobby Z. produced The Suburbs' 1986 self-titled [[A&M Records]] album (credited as Robert Brent). In 1988 he produced tracks for [[Boy George]]'s album, ''[[High Hat (Boy George album)|Tense Nervous Headache]]''. Rivkin helped Wendy & Lisa on their debut album and he released his own self-titled album in 1989 (which included a re-recorded version of his song "River Run Dry", written for The Family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/bobby-z-mw0000203283|title=Bobby Z - Bobby Z - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 25, 2017}}</ref> Since then he has focused more on producing for the record label division of Copycats Media.

⚫
===Health problems, recovery and reunions with Prince===
⚫
Bobby Z. suffered a [[heart attack]] in early 2010 and after his recovery made it his mission to continue to raise public awareness of heart attack warning signs and risk factors. He has lobbied Congress for continued research. He set up a fund raising charity called My Purple Heart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mypurpleheart.org|title=My Purple Heart|website=mypurpleheart|access-date=September 25, 2017}}</ref> which went about raising both funds and awareness of heart disease.


⚫
===Health, recovery and reunions with Prince===
In 2011, he celebrated the one-year anniversary of surviving his near-fatal heart attack at First Avenue, with a rare reunion performance of The Revolution—[[Wendy Melvoin]], [[Lisa Coleman (musician)|Lisa Coleman]], [[Brown Mark]], [[Dr. Fink]], [[Dez Dickerson]], [[Eric Leeds]] and Bobby Z., which raised much needed funds to benefit heart-health awareness,.
⚫
Bobby Z. suffered a [[heart attack]] in early 2010. After his recovery, he made it his mission to raise public awareness of heart attack warning signs and risk factors. He has lobbied Congress for continued research and he created a fundraising charity, "My Purple Heart,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mypurpleheart.org|title=My Purple Heart|website=mypurpleheart|access-date=September 25, 2017}}</ref> which went about raising both funds and awareness of heart disease.


The concert, billed as a 'Benefit 2 Celebrate Life!' and presented by Z and the American Heart Association, featured The Revolution, along with heart-health and life-saving information and inspiring stories of survival. The Revolution had not played together since 2003.
In 2011, he celebrated the one-year anniversary of surviving his near-fatal heart attack at First Avenue, with a rare reunion performance of The Revolution—[[Wendy Melvoin]], [[Lisa Coleman (musician)|Lisa Coleman]], [[Brown Mark]], [[Dr. Fink]], [[Dez Dickerson]], plus [[Eric Leeds]], which raised funds to benefit heart-health awareness. The concert, billed as a 'Benefit 2 Celebrate Life!' and co-presented by Z and the American Heart Association, was the first time The Revolution had played since 2003.


His foundation, My Purple Heart, partnered with the American Heart Association again in 2013 to host a benefit concert and weekend block party on March 9, at First Avenue on the 2nd anniversary of his heart attack. Again members of The Revolution appeared alongside Bobby as well as star guests such as [[Maya Rudolph]], local boy and runner up from ''[[The Voice (U.S. TV series)|The Voice]]'' Nicholas David, [[Alexander O'Neal]], André Cymone, [[Dez Dickerson]], Dr. Fink and The Roots drummer [[Questlove]]. [[Wendy Melvoin]] appeared as the resident guitarist for the night's events.
My Purple Heart partnered with the American Heart Association again in 2013 to host a benefit concert and weekend block party at First Avenue on the second anniversary of his heart attack. Again, members of The Revolution appeared, as well as guests [[Maya Rudolph]], Twin Cities musician and a runner-up on [[The Voice (American TV series)|''The Voice'']] [[Nicholas David]], [[Alexander O'Neal]], André Cymone, [[Dez Dickerson]], [[Doctor Fink|Dr. Fink]], [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Questlove]].


In May 2013, Bobby Z joined [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] on stage during the closing two shows of Prince's whirlwind 3rdeyegirl tour. Both shows took place on the same night with Bobby taking over from Prince's drummer [[Hannah Welton|Hannah Welton-Ford]]. He sat in on both shows for one song. On both occasions it was "[[Purple Rain (song)|Purple Rain]]". In late May 2013, Bobby appeared alongside former bandmate [[André Cymone]] on a web based chat show co-hosted by celebrity blogger Dr.Funkenberry<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spreecast.com/events/prince-myth-bobby-z-live-even-flow |title=Prince: Myth, Bobby Z (live!), Even Flow |publisher=Spreecast |date=May 29, 2013 |access-date=2013-08-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722145405/http://www.spreecast.com/events/prince-myth-bobby-z-live-even-flow |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> where they both reminisced about their early days on the road with Prince. Bobby also mentioned that it was a thrill to be back onstage with Prince.
In May 2013, Bobby Z joined [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] on stage during the closing two shows of Prince's whirlwind 3rdeyegirl tour. Both shows were the same night with Bobby taking over from Prince's drummer [[Hannah Welton|Hannah Welton-Ford]] for "[[Purple Rain (song)|Purple Rain]]".


===Current life===
===Other projects===
Bobby Z now hosts a radio show every Sunday on 96.3 K-TWIN in Minneapolis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktwin.com/page.php?page_id=161 |title=96.3 K-TWIN – Meet Bobby Z |publisher=Ktwin.com |access-date=2013-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917204948/http://www.ktwin.com/page.php?page_id=161 |archive-date=September 17, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Bobby Z hosted a weekly radio show on 96.3 K-TWIN in Minneapolis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktwin.com/page.php?page_id=161 |title=96.3 K-TWIN – Meet Bobby Z |publisher=Ktwin.com |access-date=2013-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917204948/http://www.ktwin.com/page.php?page_id=161 |archive-date=September 17, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Equipment===
===Equipment===
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*Simmons SDSV Module
*Simmons SDSV Module
*Linn LM-1 Drum Machine
*Linn LM-1 Drum Machine
*LinnDrum Drum Machine
*Black Pearl Syncussion pads (x2)
*Black Pearl Syncussion pads (x2)
*Pearl Syncussion Modules (x2)
*Pearl Syncussion Modules (x2)
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===Personal life===
===Personal life===
Bobby's brothers are film maker [[Stephen E. Rivkin]] and fellow Minneapolis musician [[David Z (music producer)|David Z]]. He is married to his wife Vicki.
Bobby's brothers are [[Stephen E. Rivkin]], a filmmaker, and [[David Z (music producer)|David Z]], a producer. He is married to his wife Vicki.


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 11:58, 27 October 2024

For other uses, see Bobby Z (disambiguation).

Bobby Z.
Birth nameRobert B. Rivkin
Born (1956-01-09) January 9, 1956 (age 68)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
GenresR&B, funk, rock, soul, new wave, Minneapolis sound
Occupation(s)Musician, drummer, record producer
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion, piano
LabelsCopycats

Robert B. Rivkin (born January 9, 1956), aka Bobby Z., is an American musician and record producer, best known as being the drummer for Prince's backing band The Revolution from 1978 to 1986.

Life and career

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

Rivkin began his musical career at the age of six, playing several instruments before settling on the drums. In junior high school, he formed a small touring band in the Minneapolis area which included future Chicago Bears football coach Marc Trestman on rhythm guitar.

Career with Prince

[edit]

Rivkin met Prince in the late 1970s as Prince was forming his first band for touring. He started running errands for Prince while working for Owen Husney, who is credited with discovering Prince. Rivkin's stage name, Bobby Z., was derived from the nickname his grandmother used to call him, "Butzie".

Prince was adamant about having a white drummer in an effort to have a racially diverse band, so Husney implored Prince to audition Rivkin. Rivkin replaced Dale Alexander during the 94East band sessions, prior to Prince moving into his own "For You" album sessions. Alexander later became the drummer for Prince's protege group Madhouse in 1987. Rivkin was acknowledged in Prince's self-titled album as being a "heaven-sent" helper alongside Andre Cymone. By the time the 1999 album was released, Prince was relying more and more on electronic drums and Rivkin had to adapt his style to operate these in concert as well as the studio, starting with Controversy. He contributed to Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, Parade and Sign o' the Times. When The Revolution disbanded in 1986 after the Parade Tour, Prince selected Sheila E, the daughter of veteran Bay Area drummer and percussionist Pete Escovedo, for his new band.

Career after Prince and The Revolution

[edit]

Bobby Z. produced The Suburbs' 1986 self-titled A&M Records album (credited as Robert Brent). In 1988 he produced tracks for Boy George's album, Tense Nervous Headache. Rivkin helped Wendy & Lisa on their debut album and he released his own self-titled album in 1989 (which included a re-recorded version of his song "River Run Dry", written for The Family.[1] Since then he has focused more on producing for the record label division of Copycats Media.

Health, recovery and reunions with Prince

[edit]

Bobby Z. suffered a heart attack in early 2010. After his recovery, he made it his mission to raise public awareness of heart attack warning signs and risk factors. He has lobbied Congress for continued research and he created a fundraising charity, "My Purple Heart,"[2] which went about raising both funds and awareness of heart disease.

In 2011, he celebrated the one-year anniversary of surviving his near-fatal heart attack at First Avenue, with a rare reunion performance of The Revolution—Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Brown Mark, Dr. Fink, Dez Dickerson, plus Eric Leeds, which raised funds to benefit heart-health awareness. The concert, billed as a 'Benefit 2 Celebrate Life!' and co-presented by Z and the American Heart Association, was the first time The Revolution had played since 2003.

My Purple Heart partnered with the American Heart Association again in 2013 to host a benefit concert and weekend block party at First Avenue on the second anniversary of his heart attack. Again, members of The Revolution appeared, as well as guests Maya Rudolph, Twin Cities musician and a runner-up on The Voice Nicholas David, Alexander O'Neal, André Cymone, Dez Dickerson, Dr. Fink, Wendy Melvoin and Questlove.

In May 2013, Bobby Z joined Prince on stage during the closing two shows of Prince's whirlwind 3rdeyegirl tour. Both shows were the same night with Bobby taking over from Prince's drummer Hannah Welton-Ford for "Purple Rain".

Other projects

[edit]

Bobby Z hosted a weekly radio show on 96.3 K-TWIN in Minneapolis.[3]

Equipment

[edit]

Drum kit with Prince in the 1980s:[4][5]

  • Ludwig kit
  • Black Simmons SDSV pads
  • Simmons SDSV Module
  • Linn LM-1 Drum Machine
  • LinnDrum Drum Machine
  • Black Pearl Syncussion pads (x2)
  • Pearl Syncussion Modules (x2)
  • Zildjian 14" HiHat
  • Zildjian 18" Crash
  • Zildjian 20" Ride
  • Zildjian 16" Crash

Personal life

[edit]

Bobby's brothers are Stephen E. Rivkin, a filmmaker, and David Z, a producer. He is married to his wife Vicki.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bobby Z - Bobby Z - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  2. ^ "My Purple Heart". mypurpleheart. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  3. ^ "96.3 K-TWIN – Meet Bobby Z". Ktwin.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  4. ^ Amendola, Billy (February 2019). "Features: Bobby Z of the Revolution". moderndrummer.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020.
  5. ^ Bobby Z's Drum Kit Revealed
  • Uptown #42. May 31, 2000.
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