2021
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Ron Mael plays the keyboards and synthesizers and writes most of the songs for Sparks. When the band hit the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, he was well known for his strange appearance, often remaining motionless over his keyboard in sharp contrast to Russell's animated and hyperactive frontman antics.
Russell Mael has a distinctive wide-ranging voice, while Ron Mael plays keyboards in an intricate and rhythmic style. Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept the band at the forefront of modern, artful pop music.
The official YouTube channel for the band S P A R K S S P A R K S is Ron Mael & Russell Mael The new album THE GIRL IS CRYING IN HER LATTE (2023) is now available through Island Records...
- Chelsea Spear
- Sparks found some early fame in the UK, but were formed in California. Sparks first became popular in England; they would later record a string of dance and new wave albums in Germany, and singer Russell Mael would sometimes sing in a French accent.
- Ron and Russell Mael found pre-Sparks success as part of a quintet. Ron and Russell enrolled at UCLA in the mid-1960s, with Russell in the theater department and Ron in film.
- Sparks' appearance on Top of the Pops was a pre-internet viral video. After landing a contract with Island Records, the Maels relocated to London in the summer of 1973 and assembled a backing band of British session musicians.
- Sparks change their sound as often as other artists change their clothes. The four classic albums Sparks would record for Island Records took a Trojan-horse approach to glam rock: The clean production, catchy riffs, and androgynous vocals drew in fans of David Bowie, Queen, and T Rex, but the band’s love of pre-rock and roll styles like swing, chamber music, and light opera would shine through on songs like "Looks Looks Looks," "Under the Table with Her," and "Hospitality on Parade" from their fifth album Indiscreet.
The enigmatic duo Ron and Russell Mael have gone from cult status to sustained success. Beverly D'Silva talks to the brothers about fame, failure and their highs and lows.
Sparks is a rock band featuring brothers Ron and Russell Mael. The website offers videos, albums, tour dates and merchandise, but does not mention ron mael.
It took more than 50 years, but the genre-defying musical duo of Ron and Russell Mael is about to break through. A bit like the multi-storey chasm carved by the monster’s acid blood in Alien ...
