Andy “Babe” Pace
Andy Pace’s musical career began in the storied clubs of downtown New York City. As a teenager, he picked up small gigs at local hangouts like Cafe Wah and CBGB’s. Soon thereafter, he landed job as the house drummer for the original Copa Cabana, where he worked alongside Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Tony Orlando, The Cornelius Brothers, and many other great R&B acts of the era. His journey as an artist and creative spirit had only just begun.
In the mid 70’s, Andy landed a gig with one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most exciting voices—Gary U.S. Bonds. His second date with Gary was Madison Square Garden. Andy was just 21 years old.
Gigs alongside legendary performers like Dick Clark, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, The Five Satins, and The Coasters followed, and Andy began travelling extensively. He spent the following years as a true touring musician, living all over the world from Lake Tahoe to New Orleans to Hawaii, Switzerland, and England.
In 1987, he married Barbara WarrenPace and the two would collaborate together on various musical projects. Barbara was a wellknown artist manager herself, having helped guide the careers of legends like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston.
The next big break came In 1991. C+C Music Factory’s massive hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” took the world by storm, and Andy’s drumming provided the song’s backbeat. The album sold over 7 million CDs and led to MTV Music Awards, Saturday Night Live Appearances, and worldwide adulation. Not only that, but the song launched house music into the mainstream of popular music, where it’s remained ever since.
Following the birth of Andy and Barbara’s son Dakota in 1995, the couple decided to step away from the limelight and turn their talents to a new cause—helping addicts recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Andy obtained a degree in Addiction Counseling from State University of New York (S.U.N.Y) and they founded Little Creek Lodge, a rehabilitation facility that has gone on to treat hundreds of patients struggling with this disease. Now, as the Lodge’s mission continues to expand, a new opportunity has emerged for Andy’s musical gifts—Rehab Recordings.
Watch drum solo video of Andy “Babe” Pace.
