Wayne Warnecke, 67, Pound Ridge musician and audio engineer

Wayne Taylor Warnecke, a noted musician and audio engineer, died Oct. 6 in Mount Kisco after a four-plus-year struggle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). He was 67.

He was born on Nov. 9, 1958, in Bronxville to Warren and Mildred (nee Lucks) Warnecke. The son of avid sailors, Warnecke grew up spending summers on Long Island Sound, swimming off the family boat, aptly named “Recess.” He and his father, a physics teacher, also loved to stargaze together. This piqued an interest in science fiction and turned the family into loyal watchers of “Star Trek” and “The Twilight Zone.”

Born to be a drummer, he asked for his first drum kit at 9 years old. His Rye Neck High School rock band, Friction, was an outgrowth of a love for music. 

Though drumming was his first love, Friction needed a guitarist, so Warnecke acquiesced. His family supported his musical interests so strongly that Friction used to rehearse in their living room. He made lifelong friendships with his bandmates, sustaining a strong bond for over 50 years. On September 14, 2025, Friction reunited for a show at the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, as Warnecke looked on in delight.

Warnecke also liked to tinker with electronic equipment at an early age, although he didn’t know at the time that audio engineering would become his career.  

Convincing his parents that a traditional college education was not for him, he instead attended the Institute of Audio Research in Manhattan, the only school in the U.S. at the time to focus on sound engineering.

In 1981 he was hired at Minot Sound, first as a tape copier and gofer, then going on to engineer and assist on recordings by jazz pianist Bob James, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chaka Khan, singer-songwriter Grace Potter, drummer Lenny White, and the legendary Luther Vandross, among others.

In 1983, Warnecke and singer Vaneese Thomas began co-writing songs, and by 1987 they left Minot Sound to start a production company and recording studio in Mamaroneck. After bonding over songwriting and producing her first album, Warnecke and Vaneese started their own record label, Segue Records, were married in 1989, and moved to Pound Ridge, where he built his music studio, “Peaceful Waters.” The couple went on to produce and record many gold and platinum records. Their final album together, “Window to My Soul,” was released in September 2026. 

In July 2022, Warnecke was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, an incurable neurological disorder that causes the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. 

“It was way out of the blue, something nobody ever expects,” he said. 

Despite being confined to a wheelchair and breathing machine, he never lost his dry sense of humor or his ability to uplift the legions of friends who came to visit. He maintained an unflinching positive attitude that astounded those who knew him well. After the first year, he said, “I’ve come to the conclusion I’d much rather be grateful for everything I’ve gotten in my life than be bitter.” 

Even as he struggled with ALS, Warnecke was able to spearhead two successful fundraisers for ALS United of Greater New York. 

The first, “Musicians United for ALS: A Night for Wayne Warnecke,” was held on April 15, 2025, at Purchase College. Celebrated arranger-composer-producer Rob Mathes, with whom he had worked extensively, served as music director. He called Warnecke “one of the most gifted and kindest humans on the planet and a miraculous patient. All of his friends and musician colleagues wanted to come together to honor him and help fight this disease.” 

A second benefit concert at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, emceed by Paul Shaffer and John Battiloro, was performed on April 13, 2026. Both concerts were outpourings of love for the impact Warnecke had on hundreds of people’s lives.

He is survived by his wife, Vaneese Y. Thomas, sister Laurie Morrison (Glenn), niece Amy Morrison, and sister-in-law Carla Thomas. His older sister, Wendy, predeceased him in May 2026.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Warnecke’s birthday, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 42 Cross Road, Stamford, Conn.

In lieu of flowers, make donations in Warnecke’s name to ALS United of Greater New York, als-ny.org.