Hilly managed my band, the Wives from about 1996-1999. When I first met him and started working with him, I was so scared and intimidated. I loved his voice though, his deep, low baritone voice. He took good care of us, touring, practicing in CBs basement, and coming up with all kinds of crazy schemes and plans for us. The one that stands out, was when he thought it would be kinda cute if we were Patti Smith's bodyguards for her first shows at CBs in decades. THAT was interesting... not cute. Patti fans are not to be taken lightly...

We toured, played CBs tons, and were doing ok. I got married, and then.... got pregnant in Sept. 98. I kept it secret from Hilly for months and months, still playing out... Then after a New Years show, when Tracy said she could really see "it", I got the guts to call Hilly and tell him. I couldn't believe his reaction. He was so genuinely flustered and happy for me. All he could say was he wished Louise, his dear friend and CBs booker, would have a baby. He was just a family man after all.

We lost touch over the past 8 years, but I would stop by, now and then, with the kids. Last time I saw him, he called my 5 year old a little monster, (which she was), and he had that lovely smile on his face when he said it.
Bye Hilly, I love you and miss you.

Mary Zadroga, bass player of the Wives

Warped Tour - Randall's Island 1997

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