The Sparks

Growing out of the minds of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, Sparks is one of pop's best-loved and most influential cult bands. The combination of Russell's formidable vocal range, Ron's impressive keyboard skills, and their vividly witty songwriting defined their music as it changed over the years -- which it did often. First appearing in the early 1970s, Sparks' theatricality fit in with the glam rock scene, with albums like 1972's A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing and 1974's Kimono My House earning them a strong U.K. following. Just a year later, they were at the forefront of th...