Andy Paley, Renowned Songwriter and Producer, Passes Away at 72

Andy Paley, a versatile American songwriter, record producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, passed away on November 20, 2024, at the age of 72. Paley was known for his extensive work in the music industry, particularly his collaborations with legendary artists such as Brian Wilson, Madonna, Elton John, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Paley’s early career began in the 1970s as a founding member of the power pop duo the Paley Brothers, which he formed with his brother Jonathan Paley. After the duo disbanded, Andy went on to work as a staff producer at Sire Records, producing albums for notable artists including Brian Wilson, Jonathan Richman, NRBQ, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

One of his most significant collaborations was with Brian Wilson, with whom he estimated to have written around 100 songs. Paley produced Wilson’s 1988 solo album and was involved in the so-called Andy Paley Sessions, which included original material recorded with the Beach Boys. These sessions led to the creation of songs like “Soul Searchin'” and “Gettin’ In Over My Head,” which were later featured on Wilson’s 2004 album *Gettin’ In Over My Head*.

In addition to his work in music production, Paley was also a prolific composer for television and film. He is best known for his work on Nickelodeon‘s *SpongeBob SquarePants*, for which he wrote and produced numerous songs, including the *It’s a SpongeBob Christmas Album* in collaboration with Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob.

Paley’s contributions to the entertainment industry were diverse and far-reaching. He played keyboards in Patti Smith‘s band, worked on various film projects, and even led the Andy Paley Orchestra, which provided music for theater productions and podcasts.

The news of his passing was met with tributes from the music industry, with many acknowledging his immense talent and influence. Marc Nathan, a former vice president of Sire Records, praised Paley as an angel who will continue to orchestrate, produce, write, and sing in the “rock ‘n’ roll heaven”.