Andy Paley, a musical legend whose work spanned from the world of Brian Wilson to SpongeBob SquarePants, has passed away at the age of 72. A key figure in shaping the sound of the iconic animated show and the solo career of the Beach Boys’ genius, Paley died on Wednesday, Nov. 20, after a short battle with cancer, as confirmed by a representative for his band, Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas.
“We were blessed to have had Andy,” said Óscar Arce, manager for The Hi-Seas, in a statement to PEOPLE. “He truly is the reason all this SpongeBob joy exists in music around the world. He gave us all a purpose and lots of infinite joy that Tom, myself, and the band will continue to foster in memory of his gift to us and his musical legacy.”
In his later years, Paley toured with Tom Kenny (the voice of SpongeBob) and the Hi-Seas, a big band that blended rock, pop, and various genres. But Paley’s career was far more expansive. As a songwriter and producer, he worked with musical legends like Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, Madonna, Patti Smith, and others. Yet, he became especially beloved for his work on SpongeBob, writing some of the show’s most enduring tunes, including “The Best Day Ever,” which became a fan favorite. His contributions to SpongeBob‘s musical world began in 2004, when he was introduced to Kenny by Tom Ardolino of NRBQ. The duo worked closely on the show’s soundtrack, with Paley even securing backing vocals from Brian Wilson for the 2006 Best Day Ever album.
Reflecting on his time working on SpongeBob, Paley once said, “Kenny and I started planning to make these SpongeBob records with every member of the cast—Squidward, Pearl, whoever it was… 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?'”
Born in Albany, New York, in November 1952, Paley’s musical career took root in local bands before he made his way to Boston, where he formed the Paley Brothers with his brother Jonathan. By the late ’70s, they signed with Sire Records, contributing to the soundtrack of the film Rock ‘n’ Roll High School. Over the years, Paley worked with a variety of artists, including Brenda Lee and Little Richard, but it was his work alongside Brian Wilson that would help define his legacy. Paley co-wrote three songs on Wilson’s 1988 solo debut and collaborated with him on the unreleased Wilson-Paley Sessions, a treasure trove of more than 20 songs. Wilson, in a statement shared on his Facebook page, paid tribute to Paley, calling him “literally instrumental in Brian starting his solo career.”
Tom Kenny, who had a special bond with Paley, mourned the loss of his friend in a statement to Variety, saying, “My friendship with Andy and our collaboration — writing songs and my fronting the band that he formed — is one of the greatest true joys I’ve ever experienced.” He went on to describe Paley as not only a master of pop music but also a deep intellectual with a remarkable appreciation for art and literature.
Paley is survived by his wife, Heather Crist Paley, their two children, Jackson and Charlie, and his four siblings, including brother Jonathan Paley.
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