Sparks - the inspiration for Queen? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Steve M. · 06-01-2004, 10:45 PM

Were a pair of brothers from Los Angeles partly responsible for Queen? Some people think so. Sparks, a duo comprised of Ron and Russ Mael, were a California group that made it back in Britain and continental Europe (but not in their homeland) with a speeded-up music-hall rock sound that at least one critic said encouraged Queen's own operatic rock. Sparks enjoyed successful (in England) LP's like A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing and Kimono My House and singles like "This Town Ain't big Enough For Both Of Us." They even appeared in a Hollywood movie - Rollercoaster - as themselves, performing at an amusement park. Ron Mael looks a lot like a cross between Freddie Mercury and Hitler!

So - any Sparks fans here?

Jrnygrl · 06-01-2004, 11:13 PM

That's very interesting. Sparks was big back in the 80's in the LA club scene. I thought they came after Queen. Just goes to show you never know who inspired whom.

Steve M. · 06-01-2004, 11:18 PM

Sparks's self-titled debut album came out on the Bearsville label in 1972.

Jrnygrl · 06-01-2004, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve M.
Sparks's self-titled debut album came out on the Bearsville label in 1972.

Just goes to show you do learn something everyday.

ABlairican Pie · 06-06-2004, 01:50 PM

I saw a Sparks video on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert in the mid-70's, I thought Ron Mael with that mustache looked interesting! He later showed up on Paul McCartney's "Coming Up" video in 1980.

06-01-2004, 10:45 PM	#1
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Sparks - the inspiration for Queen? Were a pair of brothers from Los Angeles partly responsible for Queen? Some people think so. Sparks, a duo comprised of Ron and Russ Mael, were a California group that made it back in Britain and continental Europe (but not in their homeland) with a speeded-up music-hall rock sound that at least one critic said encouraged Queen's own operatic rock. Sparks enjoyed successful (in England) LP's like A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing and Kimono My House and singles like "This Town Ain't big Enough For Both Of Us." They even appeared in a Hollywood movie - Rollercoaster - as themselves, performing at an amusement park. Ron Mael looks a lot like a cross between Freddie Mercury and Hitler! So - any Sparks fans here?
	__________________ I don't really get out a lot. When I do go out, I couldn't be happier. I love being in a nice milieu. I'm as happy as a clam. Just as long as I'm not in some club playing hip-hop. You hear that sort of thing in a lot of places. That's not my milieu. Rock and roll is good-time music. I love rock. So did my parents.

06-06-2004, 01:50 PM	#5
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	I saw a Sparks video on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert in the mid-70's, I thought Ron Mael with that mustache looked interesting! He later showed up on Paul McCartney's "Coming Up" video in 1980.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

06-01-2004, 11:13 PM	#2
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	That's very interesting. Sparks was big back in the 80's in the LA club scene. I thought they came after Queen. Just goes to show you never know who inspired whom.

06-01-2004, 11:18 PM	#3
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Sparks's self-titled debut album came out on the Bearsville label in 1972.