Calvin Hayes Passes Away at 63
Calvin Hayes, the British musician and co-founder of the 1980s pop group Johnny Hates Jazz, has died at the age of 63. He collapsed at his home in Spokane, Washington, in the United States, and his wife Kathy confirmed his passing, as reported by Metro UK.
Hayes co-founded Johnny Hates Jazz in 1986, joining forces with vocalist Clark Datchler and bassist Mike Nocito. The trio made their mark on the music scene when their 1987 single "Shattered Dreams" became an international hit, breaking into the Top 10 across multiple countries.
Johnny Hates Jazz's Rise to Fame
Their debut album, Turn Back the Clock, arrived in 1988 and went straight to the top of the UK charts. It produced four UK Top 20 singles: "Shattered Dreams," "I Don't Want to Be a Hero," "Turn Back the Clock," and "Heart of Gold." During their commercial peak between 1987 and 1988, the band clocked up eight appearances on Top of the Pops.
The group's fortunes shifted when Datchler departed to focus on a solo career. Hayes and Nocito pressed ahead with a new frontman, Phil Thornalley, but progress was cut short when Hayes suffered a near-fatal car crash that left him in a body cast for nearly a year.
The Life Behind the Music
Beyond his work with Johnny Hates Jazz, Hayes had strong ties to the music industry through his father, legendary record producer Mickie Most, who was known for his collaborations with artists including Hot Chocolate. Hayes also played drums for Kim Wilde's promotional band during that period. In a 1988 interview, Wilde described him as "the greatest thing that has ever happened to her" when the two began a relationship, as reported by The Sun UK. They eventually parted ways, though it is believed they remained on good terms.
During the 1990s, Hayes largely retreated from the public eye before Johnny Hates Jazz regrouped for nostalgia concerts across Europe and Southeast Asia in 2010. His death marks the loss of a musician whose fingerprints remain on some of the most recognisable pop records of the late 1980s.
Other Notable Music Deaths
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that hip-hop pioneer Doreen Broadnax, known as Sparky D, passed away at the age of 61. Despite her struggles with addiction and personal hardships, she emerged as a trailblazer in battle rap, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry that continues to inspire future generations.
Additionally, British singer Lauren Bennett, best known for her vocals on LMFAO's global hit "Party Rock Anthem," passed away at the age of 36 in Kent, England, on May 29, 2026. Her former G.R.L. bandmates announced the heartbreaking news weeks later, sharing emotional tributes that highlighted her vibrant spirit and the deep bond they shared. A private memorial service in London brought together family, friends, and former colleagues from G.R.L. and Paradiso Girls, where heartfelt messages were written on balloons and released into the sky as a final farewell.
