Sparks

Sparks are an American pop and rock band formed in 1972 by brothers Ron (b.12 August 1945, keyboards) and Russell Mael (b.05 October 1948, vocals). Usually considered a duo, they started as a group and have featured various supporting musicians over their long career. The two brothers are characterized not only by contrasting physical appearances and stage performances (Ron sinister and static, Russell flamboyant and animated) but also by an eccentric approach to songwriting, subject material and lyrics.

Commercial success has been just as eclectic. Their first UK hit was This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us, which got to no. 2 in 1974, followed by a string of hits, with their 1974 LP Kimono My House becoming a seminal 'art rock' album of the period, with the follow-up Propaganda released later the same year, also making the Top 10. Sparks returned to the chart again in 1979 with the Giorgio Moroder produced singles The Number One Song In Heaven and Beat the Clock, taken from the album No. 1 in Heaven, aimed at the disco market but still retaining intelligent lyrics and creative songwriting with a fashionable electronic sound.

Sparks continued to write and record throughout the eighties and nineties, despite a lack of any great commercial success, making them into a ubiquitous 'cult' band. In 2014 they collaborated with the Scottish band Franz Ferdinand, forming a supergroup named FFS and recorded and released an eponymous album. Sparks' 2017 album Hippopotamus gained them renewed credibility as an alternative act (gaining considerable attention from BBC 6 Music).

Their latest album, their 25th, entitled The Girl is Crying in Her Latte was released in May 2023.

Sparks played the Glastonbury Festival in June 2023. Their performance of the title track from their latest album featured actress Cate Blanchett, who also features in the promo video. (BBC music video)

TV[]

SPARKS_THIS_TOWN_AINT_BIG_ENOUGH_FOR_THE_BOTH_OF_US_TOTP — SPARKS THIS TOWN AINT BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US TOTP

Top of the Pops ^[1][]

09 May 1974 - This Town (29) (rpt. 23 May, no.3)
06 June 1974 - This Town (2) - second performance, with live vocal
24 October 1974 - Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth (21)
07 November 1974 - Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth (15)
27 December 1974 - This Town.. (repeat of one of 06 June performance)
09 January 1975 - Something For The Girl With Everything (new) (repeat 23 January, no.18)
24 July 1975 - Get In The Swing (46)
31 July 1975 - Get In The Swing (31)
25 September 1975 - Looks, Looks, Looks (new)
09 October 1975 - Looks, Looks, Looks (30) - 600th edition

10 May 1979 - The Number One Song In Heaven (34)
31 May 1979 - The Number One Song In Heaven (18)
19 July 1979 - Beat the Clock (49)
02 August 1979 - Beat the Clock (10)
01 November 1979 - Tryouts For The Human Race (45)

↑ According to TV Pop Diaries, Sparks were to have made their debut with This Town.. on 25 April 1974, although their appearance was cancelled to due an irregularity in their work permits. They were replaced by The Rubettes who made their debut with Sugar Baby Love.

Other TV[]

18 May 1974 - Saturday Scene (LWT)
05 October 1974 - Saturday Scene (LWT)
10 October 1974 - Granada 45 (ITV) At Home At Work At Play, Thanks But No Thanks, Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
04 January 1975 - Saturday Scene - Ron and Russell Mael cook a meal
03 August 1975 - Rock On With 45
11 August 1975 - Shang-A-Lang - Get In The Swing
03 August 1977 - Shang-A-Lang (rpt.?)
29 October 1977 - Multi Coloured Swap Shop "Sparks fly in Swap of the Pops Don't miss them."
14 July 1979 - Juke Box Jury (guests)
16 November 1979 - Crackerjack
12 February 1980 - Get It Together - When I'm With You (video)
16 October 2009 - Synth Britannia at the BBC - Beat the Clock
16 April 2012 - Sounds of the 70s 2: Arthouse Glam - Get in the Swing (BBC Two) - Get in the Swing
04 October 2017 - The One Show (BBC One) guests & This Town... live perf.
26 March 2017 - 6 Music Festival (BBC Four) - perf. 24 March (setlist.fm/youtube)[1]
15 September 2017 - Glam Rock at the BBC (BBC Four)
30 September 2017 - Front Row Late (BBC Two) Sparks perform live - Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) (BBC page)
23 June 2023 - Sparks at Glastonbury

Radio[]

06 October 1974 - Sounds on Sunday (BBC R1, John Peel)
08 December 1974 - Sounds Interesting (BBC R3)
24 December 1994 - Simon Mayo's Big Holy Christmas (a "Christmas song")
04 March 1995 - Johnnie Walker - 'live music in the studio from Sparks'
14 February 2006 - Mark Radcliffe - guests
18 February 2006 - a spotlight on Sparks' 1974 breakthrough LP Kimono My House
06 March 2006 - Ken Bruce - Tracks of My Years (and following four days)
20 January 2007 - This Town Ain't Big Enough - the Story of Sparks Mark Radcliffe profiles the rather eccentric and cynically spirited pop-rock duo
17 May 2008 - Jonathan Ross (R2) "Guests include ... Sparks, who yesterday began a residency at London's Islington Academy to perform their 21 albums over 21 nights".
30 May 2008 The Radio 2 Arts Show with Anneka Rice (R2)
25 October 2008 - Mark Lamarr - Sparks live session
17 March 2009 - The Radcliffe & Maconie Show - guests
24 October 2010 - Sounds of the 70s with Johnnie Walker - featured album Kimono My House
16 December 2014 - Simon Mayo Drivetime, guests
24 August 2017 - The Radio 2 Arts Show with Anneka Rice, guests
23 & 30 May 2018 - The Birth of Sparks: From Beach Boys to Blighty (R2)