Keith LeBlanc, a drummer on several early hip-hop releases and a key producer on albums by Nine Inch Nails and more, has passed away at the age of 70.
The sad news was reported by his record label On-U Sound, with no cause of death revealed.
LeBlanc helped pioneer the early hip-hop sound as a drummer in the Sugarhill House Band alongside bassist Doug Wimbish (Living Colour) and guitarist Skip “Little Axe” McDonald. The three musicians went on to form the industrial hip-hop group Tackhead, who released four albums from 1987 to 2014.
As a producer and mixer, LeBlanc worked with a number of prominent artists, including Nine Inch Nails, Living Colour, Peter Gabriel, The Cure, and Ministry.
He was a major contributor to NIN’s debut album, Pretty Hate Machine, co-producing standout tracks “Head Like a Hole” and “Down in It,” and engineering or mixing several other songs on the LP.
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.
Our condolences go out to Keith LeBlanc’s family and friends during this difficult time. Revisit his work below, along with a mini documentary on Tackhead.