Michael Thomas Maddalone (“Mickey”), 56, of Lantana, Florida passed away on December 17, 2023. Michael was born July 31, 1967 to Michael and Ann Maddalone in Kearny, New Jersey. He resided in Lyndhurst and North Arlington, New Jersey until the age of nine. For the next ten years, he lived in Florida until he moved to Southern California.

Michael had a natural rhythm to life, finding solace in music whether awake, asleep, or lost in dreams. His father, Michael, taught him how to play the drums at an early age and he fell in love with the art of drumming. During his high school years, he worked in a pizzeria to save up for his first drum set. Through sheer determination, perseverance and hard work he was able to acquire his first drum set at the age of 16. Michael aspired to become an accomplished musician, setting ambitious goals for his musical journey.

Michael formed a rock band with his local musician friends here in the West Palm Beach area. Fantasma Productions signed them to entertain on the Florida music circuit. Their band played in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and throughout the Eastern Florida coastline. After a couple of years performing here in Florida, he felt a calling to bigger venues. At 19, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. Michael’s main goal was to be a performing musician, but he even dabbled in acting and appeared in the movie, Wayne’s World.

While in Southern California, Michael went by the stage name of Mickey Thomas and was the drummer in several bands throughout the years. He eventually found himself performing with a rock band named Rowdy, who performed at Whiskey A Go Go and other night spots that were anchors in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks and Las Vegas. One of Michael’s proudest performances with Rowdy was when they performed Johnny Cash’s iconic songs for the inmates in Folsom Prison in California.

Michael had a keen sense of humor and could perform a Rodney Dangerfield skit flawlessly. He read profusely and loved to cook. Michael had a heart of gold and was loved by many. Wherever Michael was, you could hear plenty of laughter.

Michael is survived by his father, Michael Maddalone of Manasquan, New Jersey, his mother, Ann Marie (Carey) Maddalone of Lantana, Florida, his sister, Taralyn Maddalone of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Michael’s family would like to request a special consideration for donations to your own favorite charity.

His Celebration of Life will be held in private with his family and close
friends at a later date.