The Rivkinz are a band composed of Robert Rivkin, better known as Bobby Z the former drummer for Prince & The Revolution, and his sons Adam, Joey and Sam, and nephew Josh.
After surviving a near-fatal heart attack in February of 2011, Z started his own organization My Purple Heart and partnered with the American Heart Association to raise awareness about heart disease, warning symptoms and CPR. He brought The Revolution (Prince’s back-up band from the Purple Rain-era)—Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Brown Mark, Dr. Fink and Bobby Z—together for a rare reunion concert at First Ave in February as a benefit for the Heart Association.
Z continues his mission to educate the public about heart disease with the upcoming summer concerts with his family band. “The American Heart Association is excited to grow its partnership with Bobby Z, his family and his organization My Purple Heart,” said Barbara Ducharme, Twin Cities’ director for community health for the American Heart Association. “We appreciate the spotlight that he is shining on this prevalent, and largely preventable, disease.”
The concert on July 18, 2012 at 7th Street Entry, 2012, will open at 8pm with local rap duo KiDs LiKe Us featuring Z’s cousin Eli Fhima, followed by Hello Blue featuring Noah Paster, son of local singer Patty Peterson, and then The Rivkinz will headline the event. "Playing with my family brings my recovery full circle,” said Z. "It is very surreal, and fun, and we are surprisingly good!"
