Brothers Ron (keyboard player with the Chaplin/Hitler mustache) and Russell curly haired vocalist Russell, both former child models, formed a group called Halfnelson in 1971. Todd Rundgren discovered the group and produced their first album, which tanked in the U.S. The band soon changed their name to Sparks and released the whimsically titled Woofer in Tweeters' Clothing. Soon thereafter, they relocated to England after receiving attention from UK audiences. America was still in the midst of that singer-songwriter thing in the early '70s and the Mael brothers' quirky/intellectual lyrics probably went over many heads.
Their next album Kimono My House was their creative breakthrough. Although it failed to garner pop type mass sales,Kimono My House had the earmarks of a classic crit-rock album. From its winking, overly made-up geisha cover girls to the array of artsy rock songs embellished with whirling keyboards and Russell's agile, high-pitched voice. This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us with its stop-start staccato rhythm, Amateur Hour sort of a bouncy tune about a young man's first time with a hooker. Talent Is An Asset lyrics told from the POV of Albert Einstein's parents observing him as a young boy. With lyrics like that, no wonder they appealed to Brit crowd! Their follow-up to "Kimono", Propoganda, produced by Tony Visconti of David Bowie fame, failed to make as big a splash, and the band soon returned to the U.S.
Producer Giorgio Moroder and the disco craze fueled the album Number One in Heaven, which netted the band hits with Number One Song In Heaven and Beat The Clock.Their biggest success was the 1983 collaboration with Jane Wiedlin Cool PlacesSparks In Outer Space.. Ron and Russell continued to release albums throughout the '90s, including Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins. Their last release Lil Beethoven made the LA Times Top Ten albums listin 2003. They played a few hometown shows in L.A. over the last few years and will embark on a short European tour in 2004.
Sparks Web Sites
Fan Mael http://www.fanmael.net/index2.htm
Official Site http://allsparks.com/
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