Parthenon Willett Miller Huxley

Parthenon Huxley, acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer, guitarist, and author, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the age of 70. Known for his melodic, brilliant songwriting, distinctive guitar style, and warm, expressive voice, Huxley leaves behind a musical legacy spanning more than five decades.

Born Richard Willett Miller in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Huxley grew up in New Jersey and Athens, Greece, later adopting his iconic stage name, often shortened to P. Hux, as a tribute to his love of Greek culture and writer Aldous Huxley. After graduating from the University of North Carolina with a degree in Journalism, his career began in the vibrant Chapel Hill music scene with his first single, “Buddha, Buddha, Buddha” (1983). He relocated to Los Angeles after signing with Columbia Records and released his debut album, Sunny Nights, in 1988. Praised by Rolling Stone as a “monumental debut,” the album showcased his gift for hooks and lyrical wit and positioned him as a rising voice in the American power pop movement, a genre he helped define with his melodic hooks and clever arrangements.

As a staff songwriter for MCA Music Publishing, Huxley penned songs that earned him industry respect and multiple Album of the Year honors. His production work included collaborating with Mark Oliver Everett (Eels), co-producing A Man Called E and Broken Toy Shop, and co-writing tracks like “Hello Cruel World,” which became a Top Ten Alternative hit.

Huxley’s career soared when he joined ELO Part II in 1998, later continuing with The Orchestra, touring globally and delighting fans with symphonic rock classics. Alongside his band work, he built an acclaimed solo catalog that reflected his artistic evolution. After Sunny Nights, he went on to release Deluxe (1995), the introspective Purgatory Falls (2001), and the intimate P. Hux In Your Parlor (2004). His work with ELO Part II inspired Homemade Spaceship (2005), followed by Mile High Fan (2006), the vibrant and catchy Kiss the Monster (2007), and the heartfelt Thank You Bethesda (2013). This Is the One (2018) continued his legacy of pop rock, and his most recent studio album, As Good As Advertised (2023), was hailed by critics as “yet another triumph.” These albums, along with his dynamic stage presence, earned him recognition as one of rock’s most beloved artists.

In his autobiography, Electric Light Odyssey: My Zigzag Life and the Iconic Band that Changed Everything, Huxley wrote candidly about the unpredictable nature of a life in music. He emphasized that his greatest satisfaction came from creating songs that resonated deeply with listeners, even when traditional commercial success was elusive. The book debuted at #1 on Amazon’s Rock Biography Best Seller list and was praised for its humor, honesty, and themes of resilience through adversity.

Parthenon Huxley is survived by his loving wife, Helle; his brilliant and beloved daughters, Fiona and Imogen; his inspiring mother, Phyllis; his much-revered older brothers, Tim, Tom, and Chuck; his two constant companions, the family’s tuxedo cats Theo and Frankie; along with countless friends and fans worldwide who will continue to find joy and inspiration in his music.

Parthenon will be remembered by those who loved him for his absolutely brilliant sense of humor, his unconditional love for his friends and family, and his deep connection to his formative years living in Greece. Beyond his original music, which was equal parts emotionally devastating and infectiously catchy, his ability to write a parody song was unparalleled. If you were lucky enough to be the subject of one, you knew you were loved by him deeply. He was passionate about his alma mater, UNC, and its legendary basketball program. He watched every game, always confident that his shouting at the TV would absolutely impact the outcome. He deeply cherished being a member of MHMC, an exclusive movie club founded during COVID, and his delightful, odd movie selections will live on in the minds of the club members forever. During the many family trips he took with his wife and daughters, he would make audio recordings of their antics, finding great joy in every weird and crazy scenario his “girls” would create. His daughters will carry forth his legacy with their charm, humor, musicality, and gorgeous big eyes. His wife, Helle, is forever grateful for the life they created together, and her last promise to him was that she would carry on to love their daughters enough for both of them.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in Parthenon’s name to the Sitar Arts Center, which provides affordable, high-quality arts education and workforce development in the visual, digital, and performing arts. Each semester, 80% of students are from DC households at 60% or less of the area’s median income. (WWW.SITARARTSCENTER.ORG)