Andy Paley, an experienced producer and musician who collaborated with various artists such as Brian Wilson, the Ramones, Madonna, Jonathan Richman, Elton John, Deborah Harry, NRBQ, and many others, passed away after a brief fight with cancer, as confirmed by a representative to Variety. He was also deeply involved in film and television, composing scores and writing songs for acclaimed animated series like “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Ren & Stimpy,” “Digimon,” among others. He was 72 years old.

Brian Wilson referred to him as “the most frighteningly talented person that I’ve met and the greatest musical genius I’ve come across in many years… maybe my whole life.”

Recently, he toured with Tom Kenny—who voices the character SpongeBob—as part of the 16-piece rock and soul band Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas.

Originating from the Albany area in upstate New York, Paley began his musical journey at a young age, writing “The Porcupine Song” at just 7 years old, which was recorded by children’s music artist Tom Glazer. He started as a drummer for local bands before relocating to Boston in the early ’70s, where he formed Catfish Black. The band was later renamed Sidewinders and included future members of The Modern Lovers, such as Jerry Harrison, who would go on to join Talking Heads. The group, which also featured Billy Squier, moved to New York, performed at Max’s Kansas City, and signed with RCA Records, with Lenny Kaye as their producer. After Sidewinders disbanded, Paley collaborated with Elliott Murphy, Patti Smith, and Jonathan Richman, producing Richman’s later recordings.

Along with his younger brother Jonathan, he formed the well-known power-pop group the Paley Brothers. Their unique position—opening for both Patti Smith and Shaun Cassidy—may have contributed to their limited success. They recorded a single for Sire Records, produced by Jimmy Iovine, which preceded their debut album in 1978, and they appeared in the Ramones’ film “Rock ‘N’ Roll High School.”

After the duo parted ways, Paley served as a staff producer at Sire Records, where he produced Brian Wilson’s self-titled solo album in 1988, co-writing several tracks. In his later years, he worked extensively in film and television music, contributing to soundtracks for “Dick Tracy,” “A Walk on the Moon,” “Wild Orchid,” “A Rage in Harlem,” and the score for Showtime’s “The L Word.”

Tom Kenny remarked, “My friendship with Andy and our collaboration—writing songs and my fronting the band he formed—are among the greatest true joys I’ve ever experienced. He had not only an encyclopedic knowledge of all pop music—especially rock ‘n’ roll and girl groups—but was also remarkably insightful regarding art and literature.”

Paley is survived by his wife Heather Crist Paley, whom he wed in 2010, and their twin sons, Jackson and Charlie, born in 2012. He also leaves behind three sisters: Sarah, Brewster, and Debby, as well as his brother Jonathan Paley.

Person

Andy Paley, Brian Wilson, the Ramones, Madonna, Jonathan Richman, Elton John, Deborah Harry, NRBQ, Tom Kenny, Jerry Harrison, Billy Squier, Elliott Murphy, Patti Smith, Jonathan Paley, Heather Crist Paley, Jackson, Charlie, Sarah, Brewster, Debby

Company Names

Sire Records, RCA Records, Showtime

Titles

SpongeBob SquarePants, Ren & Stimpy, Digimon, Dick Tracy, A Walk on the Moon, Wild Orchid, A Rage in Harlem, The L Word, Rock ‘N’ Roll High School

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