Andy Paley Dies

Andy’s talent as a multi-instrumentalist became apparent in his youth, and he developed skills in guitar, piano, and drums, among other instruments.

Andy Paley is an accomplished American record producer, songwriter, and musician known for his wide-ranging contributions to music, film, and television. His career spans decades and includes collaborations with renowned artists and innovative projects across various media.

Andy Paley was born in 1952 in Lowell, Massachusetts, into a family that encouraged creativity and music. His early passion for music led him to form bands during his teenage years. Andy’s brother, Jonathan Paley, also shared his enthusiasm for music, and the two would later collaborate on several projects.

I never got a diploma and maybe I didn’t pay attention in some of the classes, but I definitely paid attention to Darlene Love, and I paid attention to Brian Wilson. That’s what I really cared about.

Andy Paley

Andy’s talent as a multi-instrumentalist became apparent in his youth, and he developed skills in guitar, piano, and drums, among other instruments. Paley began his professional music career in the 1970s, performing with bands and exploring songwriting and production. He gained early recognition as a member of the band Catfish Black, which released one album before disbanding. These formative years laid the groundwork for his versatility as an artist and producer.

In the late 1970s, Andy teamed up with his brother Jonathan to form The Paley Brothers. The duo was signed to Sire Records, releasing a self-titled album in 1978. Their music blended power pop and harmony-driven styles, drawing comparisons to bands like The Everly Brothers and The Beach Boys. Despite critical acclaim and a strong cult following, commercial success eluded them, and they disbanded

after releasing only a handful of singles. Their sound was rooted in nostalgia but showcased a modern edge that resonated with fans of the burgeoning punk and new wave scenes. The Paley Brothers’ track “C’mon Let’s Go!” was featured on the soundtrack of the film Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979),

further cementing their status as cult icons of the era. Andy Paley has an extensive history of collaboration with notable artists. In the 1980s and beyond, he worked with Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers, producing several of their albums, including Jonathan Sings! (1983).

The final incarnation of The Modern Lovers, with Andy Paley, Brennan Totten, and Asa Brebner, toured and recorded between 1985 and 1988. Paley’s ability to capture raw emotion and quirky charm helped elevate the band’s sound. He also collaborated with musicians such as Debbie Harry, Madonna, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Paley produced Lewis’s critically acclaimed album Young Blood (1995), which was praised for its vitality and thoughtful arrangements. His wide-ranging influences and adaptability allowed him to seamlessly work across genres, from punk to pop to rockabilly. One of Paley’s most notable collaborations was with Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. Beginning in the late 1980s,

Paley co-wrote and produced numerous songs with Wilson, many of which were intended for a follow-up to Wilson’s self-titled solo album (1988). While the proposed album never materialized as planned, several tracks from their sessions were released on various compilations and retrospectives, such as The Beach Boys’ Made in California (2013).

The “Andy Paley sessions” is the unofficial name given to an unfinished recording project by American musicians Brian Wilson and Andy Paley. Andy was the producer, played the Steinway grand piano and 6-string bass on “You’re Still A Mystery”, and backing vocals and piano on “Some Sweet Day”.

These songs highlighted Wilson’s creative resurgence, with Paley often credited for providing a supportive and innovative environment during the recording process. In addition to his music career, Paley has made significant contributions to film and television.

We thought of it like the cartoons for the Monkees or Jackson 5 or the Beatles. “We just thought, why not just do good pop songs and have SpongeBob and Patrick and Plankton and everybody sing?

Andy Paley

He composed original music for animated series like The Ren & Stimpy Show and Camp Lazlo, showcasing his knack for blending humor with sophisticated musicality. Paley also worked on feature films, contributing songs or scores to projects such as Dick Tracy (1990) and SpongeBob SquarePants.

In late 2013, The Paley Brothers released a compilation album entitled The Paley Brothers: The Complete Recordings. The album includes 11 tracks of previously unreleased songs recorded in 1978 and 1979 that would probably have appeared on the second album (including “Baby, Let’s Stick Together”), along with the fifteen previously released tracks from the 1977 Paley Brothers EP (four songs), the 1978 Paley Brothers album (ten songs), and the Young Jacques single.

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Brian’s friend and collaborator, Andy Paley. Andy was literally instrumental in Brian starting his solo career with his critically acclaimed 1988 album, Brian Wilson. Andy played electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums, percussion, keyboards, harmonica, and provided backing vocals. He co-wrote three of the songs, including “Rio Grande.” Andy collaborated again with Brian on the legendary, unreleased “Wilson-Paley Sessions,” counting more than twenty songs. Brian always called him “The Genius Andy Paley.” Love and mercy goes out to Andy’s family and friends.

Brian Wilson Live (Instagram)

Paley’s ability to adapt his musical sensibilities to different media formats has made him a sought-after composer for projects that require a blend of originality and nostalgia. His work in animation, in particular, remains beloved by fans for its playful yet sophisticated style. Andy Paley’s career is marked by his ability to collaborate effectively with artists from diverse backgrounds and his talent for creating music that balances commercial appeal with artistic integrity.

Producer

  • Professor Anonymous – Living In The World (1980)
  • The Real Kids – Outta Place (1982)
  • The Real Kids – Hit You Hard (1983)
  • Border Boys – Tribute (1983)
  • Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers – Rockin’ and Romance (1985)
  • Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers – It’s Time For (1986)
  • Boys Wonder – Now What Earthman? (1987)
  • Brian Wilson – Brian Wilson (1988)
  • Various – Shag: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1988)
  • Chris Isaak – Heart Shaped World (1989) (on track Diddley Daddy)
  • John Wesley Harding – God Made Me Do It – The Christmas EP (1989)
  • NRBQ – Wild Weekend (1989)
  • John Wesley Harding – Here Comes the Groom (1990)
  • Nasa – Insha-Allah! (1990)
  • Various – Dick Tracy (1990)
  • Richard X. Heyman – Hey Man! (1991)
  • The Mighty Lemon Drops – Sound … Goodbye to Your Standards (1991)
  • John Wesley Harding – The Name Above the Title (1991)
  • The Greenberry Woods – Rapple Dapple (1994)
  • The Greenberry Woods – Big Money Item (1995)
  • Jerry Lee Lewis – Young Blood (1995)
  • The Foremen – Folk Heroes (1995)
  • Jonathan Richman – Surrender to Jonathan! (1996)
  • Paleface – Get Off (1996)
  • Various – The Best Day Ever (2006)

Producer credits from Wikipedia

His partnerships with artists like Brian Wilson, Elton John, Deborah Harry, NRBQ, Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, and Jerry Lee Lewis, and his contributions to television and film solidify his reputation as a multifaceted and influential figure in American music. In July 2024, Paley was diagnosed with throat cancer.

Though he was successfully treated and had been cancer-free since September, it was found to have returned on November 7 after being admitted to a hospital in Burlington, Vermont. He died Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 72 years old. Paley is survived by wife Heather Crist Paley, whom he married in 2010, and twin sons Jackson and Charlie, born in 2012. He also leaves sisters Sarah, Brewster, Debby, and his brother Jonathan.

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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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