Keith LeBlanc, a drummer on several early hip-hop releases and a main producer on albums by Nine Inch Nails and more, has passed away at the age of 70. This has been reported by his record label On-U Sound, with no cause of death revealed.
LeBlanc helped begin the early hip-hop sound as a drummer in the Sugarhill House Band alongside bassist Doug Wimbish of Living Colour and guitarist Skip “Little Axe” McDonald.
As a producer and mixer, LeBlanc worked with several prominent artists, including Nine Inch Nails, Living Colour, Peter Gabriel, The Cure, and Ministry.
He was a staple contributor to NIN’s debut album, Pretty Hate Machine, co-producing classic singles such as “Head Like a Hole” and “Down in It,” and engineering or mixing several other songs on the record.
LeBlanc also worked as a drummer or programmer with James Brown, R.E.M., The Rolling Stones, The Stone Roses, Annie Lennox, Tina Turner, Bryan Ferry, Depeche Mode, and Sinead O’Connor, among others.
As a solo artist, LeBlanc released seven albums, including his influential 1986 debut LP, Major Malfunction.
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