Hilly Boy Michaels, the drummer for Sparks, has died at the age of 78. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
On November 16, Sparks members Ron and Russell Mael paid tribute to their former bandmate, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hilly Boy Michaels. Though he left the band years ago, he will always be a part of Sparks. Our hearts go out to his friends and family.”
Fans also honored Michaels online, celebrating his musical talent and distinctive personality. Messages included, “So sad. He was a lovable, one-of-a-kind person and a rock-solid musician,” and, “It’s heartbreaking that he won’t be performing on stage anymore.”
Michaels enjoyed a versatile music career spanning several decades. He began with the band Joy, which featured future ballad star Michael Bolton, before joining Sparks in 1976 as a session drummer for their album Big Beat. His standout performance on the album earned him a spot on the band’s North American tour, officially making him Sparks’ drummer. During his time with the band, he also appeared in the film Rollercoaster, performing tracks like “Big Boy” and “Fill’er Up.”
After leaving Sparks in 1980, Michaels launched a solo career, releasing two albums, Calling All Girls and Lumia, which were well received. Throughout his career, he collaborated with prominent artists such as Ellen Foley, Dan Hartman, and Ronnie Wood, leaving a lasting imprint on the music world.
