Bobby Z
 
Twin Cities musician/producer Bobby Z is “stable for now,” his wife said Thursday afternoon. He had two stents inserted following a heart attack on Sunday. Vicki Rivkin said when he gets stronger, a procedure will be done on a third clogged artery.
Bobby Z, a k a Bobby Rivkin, is best known as Prince’s first drummer. Vicki said that Prince phoned her to express his love and concern.
Since leaving Prince and the Revolution in 1986, Z has worked as a producer and record executive (he started Zinc Records in 1998). He has been involved on projects with Wendy & Lisa, Boy George, the Suburbs, Culture Club, Flipp, Sounds of Blackness. G.B. Leighton and, most recently, Alexander O’Neal.  Z sat in on drums with O’Neal during a December performance at the Dakota. Z released his own solo album in 1989.
 Z also has been very active as a regional officer with the Recording Academy, the organization that stages the Grammy Awards. “Purple Rain,” the movie soundtrack by Prince and the Revolution, will be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame this month.