Parthenon Huxley, Power Pop Craftsman and ELO Part II Guitarist, Dies at 66
themusicsover 
Parthenon Huxley, the gifted songwriter, producer, and guitarist whose melodic instincts made him a quiet pillar of modern power pop, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026. He was 70.
Born Richard Miller on January 19, 1956, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Parthenon Huxley, who drew his professional name from a love of Greece and Aldous Huxley, was a gifted songwriter, producer, and guitarist whose melodic instincts made him a foundation of modern power pop.
He first gained recognition in the early 1980s with the Spongetones, a band whose jangling guitars and airtight harmonies earned them lasting admiration among power pop fans and fellow musicians alike. Though mainstream success proved elusive, the group’s influence endured, shaping a generation of artists who valued precision and harmony.
After relocating to Los Angeles, Huxley launched a solo career that revealed the full depth of his songwriting voice. Albums such as Sunny Nights and Deluxe highlighted his gift for economy and melody, pairing bright hooks with thoughtful arrangements and a producer’s ear for detail.
Huxley later joined ELO Part II (later renamed the Orchestra), touring extensively and helping bring the band’s catalog to audiences around the world. His playing balanced technical precision with restraint, always in service of the song.
Beyond the stage, Parthenon Huxley earned wide respect as a producer, collaborator, and musical director. In the studio, he was known for patience and preparation, someone who understood that the smallest decisions often shaped the strongest records.
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