If you think that such bands as Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, Bronsky Beat and even Queen are totally independent in their works, you are SO wrong.
The truth is that all above-mentioned groups came after the legendary American band SPARKS, and you are now visiting the First and only Russian Sparks website.
Unfortunately, SPARKS is not very well-known here in Russia and only chosen ones have heard about the cult figures Ron and Russell Mael.
This sad situation made me to create this website that is dedicated to the greatest music group ever.
It goes without saying that this Russian site is unique as all the materials about Sparks are published in Russian for the FIRST time in history.
SPARKS FAQ
Question: Who are Sparks?
Answer: At the moment "Sparks" are 3 people: Ron Mael, Russell Mael and Tammy Glover. The band strength changed many times but one thing remained unchanged- Ron Mael and Russell Mael are main figures in Sparks [For more details go to " SPARKS History" section].
Is it true that Ron and Russell Mael are brothers? They don`t look like each other...
However it is absolutely true. Ron and Russell are brothers.
I`ve heard that Ron and Russell Mael are sons of famous figure Doris Day and their original surname is Day. Is it true?
That is not true. This rumor could come from Maels themselves to draw attention to the band on the early stages of their career...
When have they appeared?
The band was formed back in 1968 at the name of "Halfnelson". The first studio album was released in 1971. A year after they changed the name to "Sparks".
In what musical style do SPARKS make their music?
In their career Ron and Russell made music in many styles. One of the secrets of Sparks` longevity is their ability to create masterpieces in any of modern music styles...
SPARKS made music in the following styles: rock, glam-rock, electronics, electronic disco, disco, tough-disco, pop-music, new wave, industrial, rap, synth-pop, punk-rock, classical orchestral arrangements, instrumental and even country. Moreover, synth-pop, electronic disco, new wave styles were in fact created by SPARKS and many of their followers simply used Sparks` achievements. [For more information about Sparks` styles s go to " Discography" section].
Who is the author of Sparks music/lyrics? What do Ron and Russell do in the band?
The major part of the material is written by Ron Mael. In 1970s on the albums` sleeves Sparks wrote the name of each song author and in most of the cases it was "Written by Ron Mael". In 1980s they begin to write "Written by Ron&Russell Mael".
Ron plays synthesizers and Russell sings. Tammy Glover acts as a percussionist.
How many albums have they released ?
Sparks released 18 studio albums. The first one called "Halfnelson" was released in 1971 the last one (at the moment) called "Balls" was released in 2000. They also have done many compilations and unpublished material. [For more information about Sparks` albums - go to " Discography" section].
How many videos have they made?
If we are talking about the so-called promo videos (not live videos, but videos that was shot for TV promotion) then there are 23 Sparks videos:
1. This Town Ain`t Big Enough For Both Of Us (1974)
2. Occupation (1977)
3. Forever Young (1977)
4. The No.1 Song In Heaven (1979)
5. La Dolce Vita (1979)
6. Tryouts For The Human Race (1979)
7. Beat The Clock (1979)
8. When I`m With You (1980)
9. Tips For Teens (1981)
10. Funny Face (1981)
11. I Predict (1982)
12. Cool Places (1983)
13. All You Ever Think About Is Sex (1983)
14. With All My Might (1984)
15. Music That You Can Dance To (1986)
16. So Important (1988)
17. Singing In The Shower (1988)
18. National Crime Awareness Week (1993)
19. When Do I Get To Sing "My Way" (1994)
20. When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing) (1994)
21. Now That I Own The BBC (1995)
22. The No.1 Song In Heaven (1997)
23. The Calm Before The Storm (2000)
[For more information about Sparks` videos go to " Videos" section].
Have they released official video compilations?
Oglio Records released in 2000 "Sparks. Live In London" on VHS and DVD- it is Sparks London concert`99. Moreover, according to some rumors legendary Mack is working on the DVD of all Sparks videos.
Which song is the greatest SPARKS` hit?
Hard to tell objectively as the situation differs from country to country. It is considered that the biggest Sparks` hit is "When I`m With You" (1980), which has been a hugest hit in Europe. The biggest US hit was "Cool Places" (1983). "Singing In The Shower", performed by Sparks and French band called Les Rita Mitsouko was a great hit in 1988. In 1994 Sparks` song "When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way'" was very popular in Germany...
What groups SPARKS influenced and what groups "borrowed" from SPARKS?
It is obvious that SPARKS influenced many of music bands- in pop and rock spheres mostly. Influence spread wide- from Queen to Prodigy.
Musicians that "borrowed" a lot from SPARKS: Erasure, Depeche Mode (Martin Gore admitted that SPARKS` album "No.1 in Heaven" (1979) was "like Holy Bible for Depeche Mode..."), Soft Cell, Bjork (she told that she was a huge Sparks` fan but her parents refused to buy her their albums), Morrisey, Telex, Les Rita Mitsouko, Jimmy Sommerville, They Might Be Giants, Devo, Blondie, Big Star, The Birds. Also Pet Shop Boys obviously borrowed many Sparks` achievements. All above-mentioned musicians are considered as main Sparks` followers and apprentices.
Musicians whose musical connection with SPARKS is obvious: to name but few- Queen, The Cure, Madness, Peter Gabriel, No Doubt, Duran Duran...
Where do Ron and Russell live and where do they record their albums?
The official SPARKS residence is Los Angeles, California (USA). Latest albums were recorded there at Spark Studios. From 1974 to 1976 Ron and Russ lived and released albums in Great Britain and during 1980s lots of albums were recorded in Munich and Brussels.
What record companies released SPARKS` albums?
Among most famous ones- Island Records, Columbia, BMG, Warner Bros. The latest albums and singles were released by Oglio Records. Carl Carpoglio (head of Oglio Records) is a huge Sparks` fan himself.
Have they visited Russia with gigs?
Unfortunately the answer is "no"... During Live Chat with Sparks on 24th of December 2001 on my question: "Hello Ron, Russell and Tammy. Question from cold Russia. Do you have plans to come to Russia (Moscow, St.Petersburg) with concerts?", Russell Mael answered: "We`d love to come Russia, Alex ... We were offered 2 shows in Russia, but it didn`t happen in the end due to an unsavory promoter"
Is it true that SPARKS made a song in Russian? Do they know Russian??
In their song "Aeroflot" from "Balls" album there are parts spoken in Russian. Russian text is read by Aksinja Berger: "Dobro pozhalovat na bortu aviakompanii Aeroflot!...Komandir samolyeta gospodin Sergei Sergeevich Karpov privetstvuet vas na bortu samolyeta! Chto vam hochetsa pit? Chay, vino, pivo, Russkoye shampanskoye ili vodka Gorbachev? Ekipazh zhelaet vam priyatnogo poleta! Do svidanya!" Russell himself sings only one word in Russian on "Aeroflot": "They never say "nyet", service supreme, supreme..."
During Live Chat with Sparks on 24th of December 2001 on my question: "Do you know Russian?" Sparks answered: "no, other than Nyet, we don`t know Russian"...
In what movies SPARKS` music can be heard? Have they released soundtracks?
Among most famous movies where Sparks` music can be heard are-
Rollercoaster (1978) <songs Big Boy and Fill-Er-Up from "Big Beat">- Sparks concert can be seen in this film
Valley Girl (1983) with young Nicholas Cage <songs: Eaten By the Monster of Love and Angst in My Pants from "Angst In My Pants">;
Fright Night (1985) <song: Armies of the Night from "Music That You Can Dance To">;
Black Rain (1989) by Ridley Scott with Michael Douglas in a leading role < song: Singing in the Shower, written by Sparks for Les Rita Mitsouko>;
Unlawful Entry (1992) starring Kurt Russell and Ray Liotta <song: National Crime Awareness Week>;
Knock Off (1998) directed by Tsui Hark with Jean Claude van Damme <the whole soundtrack written by Sparks>
In SPARKS videos "When I Kiss You" and "When Do I Get To Sing "My Way"" there is a beautiful girl. Who is she?
She is Sparks` percussionist Christi Haydon . She took part in the recording of "Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins" album, and in 1997 she left the band and got married.
On every SPARKS` photo Ron is wearing moustache. Can he be seen without moustache?
Ron`s legendary moustache is a part of unique Sparks` image. He wears moustache from 1960s. However, he can be seen without moustache in "Sparks Photos " section.
SPARKS always made cool front covers of their albums. Who is responsible for them?
Covers concept`s author is Ron Mael.
All songs are sung by Russell. On what songs Ron`s voice can be heard?
Ron`s voice can be heard on the following songs : "Under The Table With Her" (1975), "Shopping Mall Of Love" (1986), "Senseless Violins" (1994).
It is not true that all songs are sung by Russell. For example, song "Biology 2" (1971) is sung by Earl Mankey. Both songs "Cool Places" (1983) and "Lucky Me, Lucky You" (1983) are sung by Russell and Jane Weidlin. Songs "Singing In The Shower" (1988) and "Live In Las Vegas" (1988) are sung by Russ and Katrin from Les Rita Mitsouko.
