The music world is in mourning following the death of Hilly Boy Michaels, the renowned drummer for the legendary art-pop band Sparks. His former bandmates, brothers Ron and Russell Mael, confirmed the sad news in a heartfelt tribute shared on social media.
Bandmates' Heartfelt Tribute
In an emotional online post, Ron and Russell Mael expressed their profound sadness. No cause of death has been announced for the musician. The brothers wrote: "We are saddened by the passing of Hilly Boy Michaels. He was Sparks' drummer during the Big Beat era in 1976, but stayed in the 'Sparks realm' throughout the years. Our thoughts are with his friends and family."
A Storied Career in Music
Before joining Sparks for the recording of their 1976 album Big Beat, Michaels' first professional experience was with a band called Joy, which notably featured a young Michael Bolton. He was working as a New York-based session drummer when hired for the Sparks album and was the only session musician asked to join the subsequent North American tour.
His involvement with the band extended to their appearance in the film Rollercoaster, where they performed the songs 'Big Boy' and 'Fill'er Up' from the album. Throughout his extensive career, Michaels collaborated with an impressive roster of artists including The Cherry Vanilla Band, Ellen Foley, The Hunter/Ronson Band, Dan Hartman, John Mellencamp, Ronnie Wood, and Marianne Faithfull.
He and Faithfull, who passed away in January 2025 at age 78, also shared a brief romantic relationship in the 1980s, living together in New York City.
Fan Reactions and Musical Legacy
Fans have since flooded social media with tributes, celebrating his unique talent and character. One fan described him as "a lovely unique guy and rock solid musician," while another highlighted his 1980 solo album, calling Calling All Girls "so good."
A third fan added: "Condolences and LVX to Hilly, and all family and friends. He was a great drummer musician." Others remembered his work with the Hunter/Ronson band and praised his "awesome" and "very Sparks-esque" music.
Beyond his collaborative work, Michaels gained recognition as a solo artist for his two solo albums: 1980's 'Calling All Girls' and 1981's 'Lumia', cementing his legacy as a versatile and respected figure in the music industry.
