Pioneering Disco Record Producer Patrick Adams Dies At 72

Disco engineer and super producer Patrick Adams has passed away, announced by his daughter Joi Sanchez on Facebook.

"My father passed away earlier today at  on his sleep at the golden age of 72 after living a life of music.  Forever grateful for what I learned from him? Who I became because of who he was. I’m amazing because he was literally legendary," she stated.

"There will never be another like him, just like there will never be another me. I’d I’ve learned nothing else from his tutelage, it’s that we are all who we are and it’s up to each of us to make the best of it so God (however you identify it) can shine through is."

#ripPatrickAdams One of my favorite #composer #producer #musicians and #people.

The world of music owes you so much. pic.twitter.com/WmDhZKGvhT

— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) June 22, 2022

Born in 1950, he played in a Harlem band and then began entering the world of production while observing engineering sessions. He began to write, arrange and produce for Perception Records where by 1970 was executive vice president.

He became known as the "prince of R&B" writing for acts including Sister Sledge and Candi Station before properly exploding as a producer and mix engineer has disco began to become popular in the 70s. 

His work for labels like Salsoul and Prelude helped to establish the widely known disco sound, also working alongside Leroy Burgess who supplied hits to legendary New York DJs.

He also pushed beyond the genre in the 80s, helping push the genre into hip-hop via his electronic Cloud One project. He went on to engineer the first three Eric B. & Rakim albums, and was sampled by J Dilla, Kanye West and the Wu-Tang Clan.

The great Nile Rodgers took to Twitter today to pay homage to the great producer, saying, "RIP Patrick Adams. One of my favorite composers, producers, musicians, and people. The world of music owes you so much."