Michael Lyons, longtime music industry executive and husband of 42 West founder and head publicist Leslie Dart, passed away on April 2. He was 76 years old.
After joining the renowned independent label A&M Records in 1976, he became Senior Vice President and Head of East Coast Operations. Known for his affable management style and his ear for emerging talent, he was instrumental in developing the careers of Susan Vega, Joan Armitrading, The Police, Squeeze and Supertramp.
Leone also served as vice president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, head of international affairs for EMI Records Group, and president of the independent label Hybrid Records.
After marrying Dart in 1996, he was often seen by her side at grand events around the world, embracing the role of being, as he often called himself, “Mr. Dart” The name was also changed to “Mistadart”).
Dart founded 42 West in 2004 after rising to prominence as chairman in the PMK. His clients included Tom Hanks, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Nicole Kidman, Darren Aronofsky, and Meryl Streep. She oversaw the sale of 42 West, a company she built from two initial employees into one of the largest PR businesses in Hollywood, to Dolphin Entertainment in 2017, and she will retire from the business in 2021.
In addition to Dart, Lyonne has two sons, noted film producer Adam Lyons (Gimme the Booty, Tramps) and Matthew Lyons, who is currently an employee in the CAA music department.