An iconic drummer from a huge band has died. Hilly Boy Michaels of Sparks fame was honoured in a moving tribute from his bandmates, Ron and Russell Mael.
No cause of death has been announced. In a tribute, the brothers said: “We are saddened by the passing of Hilly Boy Michaels. He was Sparks’ drummer during the Big Beat (1976) era, but stayed in the ‘Sparks realm’ throughout the years. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.”
Fans have since paid tribute, with one writing: “So sad to hear. He was a lovely unique guy and rock solid musician.” A second penned: “Such a hidden gem of a musician. It shouldn’t need to be mentioned, but Calling All Girls is so good.”
While a third went on to write: “Condolences and LVX to Hilly, and all family and friends. He was a great drummer musician.”
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“So sad about the passing of my dear friend Hilly Michaels. Remembering all the fun we had in the Hunter/Ronson days, and with Sparks. Also remembering Sal Maida and Jeff Salen… Rock In Peace friends,” a fourth expressed.
“His music was awesome and very sparks esque ! Really saddened to hear this,” a fifth mourned. Meanwhile a sixth remarked: “His ‘Calling All Girls’ disc is wonderful! Sorry to hear he left the stage.”
Another noted that they still play his music now, saying: “I still play his two albums!” While another compared the star to David Bowie: “Oh that’s sad brilliant drummer so accurate as the mix was drum orientated hence big beat so groundbreaking: Bowie was to do the same thing on low.”
Before joining Sparks for the recording of their 1976 album Big Beat, Hilly’s first professional music experience was with a band called Joy, which also featured a young Michael Bolton.
He was a New York -based session drummer when he was hired to work with Sparks on their album and was the only session musician subsequently invited to join the North American tour with the group.
He also made an appearance with Sparks in the film Rollercoaster, where they performed the songs Big Boy and Fill’er Up from the album.
Some of Michaels’ other songs from throug his career can be heard in the films Caddyshack and Die Laughing. Throughout his career, he collaborated with artists such as The Cherry Vanilla Band, Peach & Lee, Sparks, Ellen Foley, The Hunter/Ronson Band, Dan Hartman, John Mellencamp, Ronnie Wood and Marianne Faithfull.
He and Marianne, who passed away in January this year at the age of 78, also had a brief relationship in the 1980s, living together in New York City.
In addition to his collaborations, he gained recognition as a solo artist for his two solo albums: 1980’s Calling All Girls and 1981’s Lumia.
He joined Sparks during the 1970s which is when he was involved in some of the band’s biggest hits. The star worked as a producer and manager of marketing and development since being slightly less involved in music. He lived in Connecticut.
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Source: Mirror
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