Famed Music Producer, ‘Spongebob Squarepants’ Composer Dead at 72

Andy Paley, a musician best known for his work on Spongebob Squarepants and with Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, has died at 72. A representative for Paley’s band, Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas, confirmed the tragic news to People. Multiple outlets reported that Paley died on Nov. 20 following a short battle with cancer.

"We were blessed to have had Andy," a spokesperson for the Hi-Seas said. "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 the band will continue to foster in memory of his gift to us and his musical legacy."

Paley led a storied career collaborating with diverse artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Madonna, Elton John, Patti Smith, Deborah Harry of Blondie, Jonathan Richman, Little Richard, and The Ramones. Paley was also a composer for film and television, working as a member of the music department on Dick Tracy (1990) and contributing songs to the soundtracks of Election (1999) and World’s Greatest Dad (2009). He worked extensively in animation, providing the themes and scores for Ren and Stimpy, Digimon, and, perhaps most famously, Spongebob Squarepants. He was involved in composing music for episodes of Spongebob on Nickelodeon as well as for the series’ feature films and live stage shows.

The artist spent his final years touring with Tom Kenny and the Hi-Seas, a 16-piece rock and soul band fronted by Kenny, who is the voice of Spongebob. “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,” Kenny told Variety in a statement. “He possessed not only encyclopedic knowledge of all pop music—especially rock ‘n’ roll and girl group—but was also astoundingly astute when it came to art and literature.”

Paley is survived by his wife, Heather Crist Paley, and their 12-year-old twin sons in addition to two sisters and one brother.