by Daryl Easlea
STEVE McDONALD (bass guitar, 2006—): Founder member of Redd Kross.
MEDIASOUND STUDIOS, NEW YORK (Big Beat sessions, 1976): Closed in 1989. Became the trendy club Le Bar Bat where, unwittingly, people would sometimes dance to music that had been recorded where they were standing. Now Providence nightclub.
JOHN MENDELSOHN (Halfnelson drums, 1969-70): Esteemed music journalist, now writer.
DEAN MENTA (guitar, 1997-present): Former member of Faith No More, Menta is a successful music producer and editor for television. Recent credits include The Flight Of The Conchords, The Sarah Silverman Program and Extraordinary Measures.
HILLY MICHAELS (drums, 1976): Released two albums in the eighties, Calling All Girls (1980) and Lumia (1981). Currently making music again.
GIORGIO MORODER (producer, 1979): Still hit-making producer. Wrote ‘Forever Friends’ for 2008 Beijing Olympics Closing Ceremony.
STEVEN NISTOR (drums, 2005-present): Currently working on records produced by Danger Mouse, Daniel Lanois, Scott Litt and Steve Albini. Has recently played drums and keyboards on the Danger Mouse/ Sparklehorse collaboration, Dark Night Of The Soul.
‘SURLY’ RALPH OSWALD (bass guitar, Halfnelson 1969-70): Whereabouts unknown.
‘SIR’ PETER OXENDALE (keyboards, 1974): After working with scores of acts, most notably Chris De Burgh as musical director, producer and arranger, is also a forensic musicologist, working on many highprofile music litigation cases.
LEE PACKHAM (secretary, Island Records, part of Sparks team 19731976): Married and divorced from Dinky Diamond, Lee died in 1997.
THE PHEASANTRY, KING’S ROAD, LONDON (first UK venue, 1972): Now a Pizza Express.
TERRY POWELL (producer, 1977): Whereabouts unknown.
ROLLERCOASTER (film, 1977): Still showing somewhere in the world, right now.
TODD RUNDGREN (producer, 1971): Remains a Wizard, a True Star.
JEFF SALEN (guitar, 1976): Respected guitarist and leader of Tuff Darts. Played on countless sessions. Died of a heart attack January 26, 2008.
ROY SILVER (manager 1970–1973): Continued his many business interests, including managing Bill Cosby. Was filmed by Martin Scorsese for the Bob Dylan No Direction Home biopic. A bonus DVD of his footage was included in a deluxe package of Bob Dylan’s 2009 album, Together Through Life. Died in 2003.
SPENCER SIRCOMBE (guitar, 1988): Whereabouts unknown.
DAVID SWANSON (bass guitar, 1976): Went on to form The Pop. Now a renowned painter.
JACQUES TATI (director of Confusion, 1975): Died in 1982. The Confusion project never reached fruition.
DEREK TAYLOR (Bearsville Records, 1972): Continued working for Warners before returning to The Beatles to work for Apple, putting together the Anthology series, and various other projects. Died of cancer in 1997.
JOHN THOMAS (keyboards, 1984–1988, engineer, 1988—present): Works in LA as esteemed engineer.
TOP OF THE POPS (Sparks UK TV debut, 1974): Bastion of the BBC’s pop programming, the weekly show broadcast for the final time on July 30, 2006. It still broadcasts its Christmas special, and at the time of writing, it is rumoured it may yet return.
TONY VISCONTI (producer, 1975; arranger, 1997): Still a world-renowned producer. Reunited with David Bowie in early 21st century to produce Heathen and Reality — seen as Bowie’s best albums since the Seventies.
TREVOR WHITE (guitar, 1974–1975): Currently working towards completing his solo album, a collection of home recordings entitled Music Of White Origin. Working with John Hewlett on various projects including The Zimmermen and John’s Children (if Hewlett and Andy Ellison agree to work on new material); to maintain his MySpace site, and to continue working with The DTs duo that he gigs with regularly.
JIM WILSON (guitar, 2004-present): Still recording and touring with Sparks. At time of writing, recently finished recording and mixing the tenth Mother Superior CD, to be released in 2010. In 2009, recorded sessions with Daniel Lanois for a forthcoming Robert Plant album and provided background vocals on the next Meat Loaf album. www.mother-superior.com/ http://www.myspace.com/mothersuperiorrock.
MERVYN ‘MUFF’ WINWOOD (producer, 1973–1974): Moved from Island to CBS in late Seventies and oversaw Adam Ant’s rise to fame, and signed Sade and The Psychedelic Furs. Produced Dire Straits’ debut album. Now happily retired.
LUKE ZAMPERINI (guitar, 1976): As a member of The Scooters made two albums for EMI (Young Girls and Blue Eyes) in London at Utopia Studios produced by Phil Wainman. The band broke up after little success. Zamperini is now a manager for The City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. He still plays live for the enjoyment.
HAROLD ZELLMAN (UCLA friend, 1967): World-respected historian of modernist architecture and communitarian movements.
Sparks Discography
PART ONE: SINGLES
Original UK singles
Bearsville K15505 Wonder Girl / (No More) Mr. Nice Guys (11/72)
Island WIP 6193 This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us / Barbecutie (4/74, No. 2)
Bearsville K15516 Girl From Germany / Beaver O’Lindy (7/74)
Island WIP 6203 Amateur Hour / Lost And Found (7/74, No.7)
Island WIP 6211 Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth / Alabamy Right (picture sleeve, 10/74, No. 13)
Island WIP 6221 Something For The Girl With Everything / Marry Me (1/75, No. 17)
Island WIP 6236 Get In The Swing / Profile (6/75, No. 27)
Island WIP 6249 Looks, Looks, Looks / Pineapple (9/75, No. 26)
Island WIP 6282 I Want To Hold Your Hand / Under The Table With Her (DJ Promo only, 3/76)
Island WIP 6337 Big Boy / Fill ‘Er Up (10/76)
Island WIP 6357 I Like Girls/ England (11/76)
CBS A 5593 A Big Surprise/Forever Young (10/77)
Virgin VS 244 The Number One Song In Heaven / The Number One Song In Heaven (Version) (p/s, some green vinyl, 3/79, No. 14)
Virgin VS44—12 The Number One Song In Heaven / The Number One Song In Heaven (Version) (12″, p/s, some blue/red vinyl, 3/79)
Virgin VS 270 Beat The Clock / Beat The Clock (Alternative) (p/s, 7/79, No. 10)
Virgin VS270—12 Beat The Clock / Beat The Clock (Alternative Version) (12″, die-cut sleeve w/picture disc label, some blue/yellow/red vinyl, 7/79)
Island WIP 6532 This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us / Looks, Looks, Looks (7/79)
Virgin VS 289 Tryouts For The Human Race / Tryouts For The Human Race (Alternative) (p/s, 10/79, No. 45)
Virgin VS289—12 Tryouts For The Human Race / Tryouts For The Human Race (Long Version) (12″, die-cut sleeve w/picture disc label, some green/blue vinyl, 10/79)
Virgin VS 319 When I’m With You / When I’m With You (Instrumental) (p/s, 1/80)
Virgin VS 343 Young Girls / Just Because You Love Me (p/s, 5/80)
Virgin VS 343/319Young Girls / Just Because You Love Me / When I’m With You/When I’m With You (Instrumental) (double-pack, p/s, 5/80)
Virgin VS343—12 Young Girls / Young Girls (long version) / Just Because You Love Me (12″, p/s, 5/80)
Why-Fi WHY 1 Tips For Teens / Don’t Shoot Me (p/s, 5/81)
Why-Fi WHYT1 Tips For Teens / Don’t Shoot Me (12″, p/s, 5/81)
Why-Fi WHY 4 Funny Face / The Willys (7/81)
Atlantic K11740 I Predict / Moustache (6/82)
Virgin VS590—12 The Number One Song In Heaven / Beat The Clock / When I’m With You / Young Girls (p/s, 5/83)
Atlantic A9866 Cool Places / Sports (6/83)
Epic A 6671 EVELYN KING: Give It Up /SPARKS: Armies Of The Night (p/s 4/85)
Epic TA6671 EVELYN KING: Give It Up / SPARKS: Armies Of The Night (12″, p/s, 4/85)
London LON 69 Change / This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us (acoustic) (p/s, 7/85)
London LONX 69 Change (Extended Mix) / This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us (acoustic) (12″, p/s, 7/85)
Consolidated TOON 2 Music That You Can Dance To / Fingertips (p/s, 11/86)
Co
nsolidated TOON T2 Music That You Can Dance To (UK Extended Club Version) / Fingertips (Extended Club Version) (12″, p/s, 11/86)
Consolidated TOON 4 Rosebud / Theme For Rosebud (p/s, 1/87)
Consolidated TOON T4 Rosebud (Extended Club Mix) / Theme For Rosebud (Cinematic Mix) / Rosebud (FM Mix) (12″, p/s, 1/87)
Carrere CAR 427 So Important / The Big Brass Ring (p/s, 7/88)
Carrere CART427 So Important (Extremely Important Mix) / (Incredibly Important Mix) / So Important (p/s, 7/88)
Carrere CAR 431 So Important / Just Got Back From Heaven (p/s, 8/89)
Carrere CART431 So Important (Extremely Important Version) / (Single Version) / Just Got Back From Heaven (Heaven Can Wait mix) (12″, p/s, 8/89)
Finiflex FFCD1004 National Crime Awareness Week (Psycho Cut) / Thirteen Minutes in Heaven / Highly Strung Hoedown (CD, 11/93)
Finiflex FF1004 National Crime Awareness Week (Thirteen Minutes In Heaven Mix) / Perkins Playtime (12″, p/s, 11/93)
BMG/Logic 74321234472 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’? (Vince Clarke Remix) / (Progress Mix) / (Microbots Mix) (CD, 10/84, No. 38)
BMG / Logic 74321234462 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’? (Sparks Radio Edit) / (The Grid Radio Edit) / (The Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix) / (The Grid’s Ron and Nancy Mix) / (The Grid’s Frank and Kitty Mix) / (Men Behind Club Mix) (CD, 10/84)
BMG/Logic 7432134461 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’ (Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix) / (The Pro-Gress Mix v.10.3) / (The Grid’s Ron and Nancy Mix) / (Microbots Club Mix) (12″, p/s, 10/94)
BMG/ Logic WAY 2 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’ (Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix) / (The Pro-Gress Mix v.10.3) / (Microbots Club Mix) / National Crime Awareness Week (12″, p/s, 10/94)
Logic 7432164262 (When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing (Bernard Butler’s Fashionable World Of Fashion Remix) / (When I Dub You Remix) / (The Beatmasters Full Blown Dub) (CD, 3/95, No. 36)
Logic 74322164272 (When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing (Red Jerry Remix) / (Oliver Leib Vocal Mix) / This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us (BBC Session Acoustic Piano) (CD, 3/95)
BMG/Logic 7431264261 (When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing (Bernard Butler’s Fashionable World Of Fashion Remix) / (When I Dub You Remix) / (The Beatmasters Full Blown Dub) / (Red Jerry Remix) / (Oliver Lieb Mix) (12″, p/s, 3/95)
BMG/Logic 74321274002 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’? (Sparks Radio Edit) / (Vince Clarke Remix) / (Total Fog Dub 1) / National Crime Awareness Week (Complete Psycho) (CD, 5/95, No. 32)
BMG/Logic 74321274012 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’? (The Grid Radio Edit) / (Sticks & Stones Remix) / (BBC Session — Acoustic Version) / Now That I Own The BBC (BBC Session — Acoustic Piano Version) (CD, 5/95)
BMG/Logic 74321348672 Now That I Own The BBC (Sparks Radio Edit) / (Motiv 8 Extended Vocal Mix) / (Legend B Remix) / Beat The Clock (Live) (CD, 3/96, No. 60)
BMG/Logic 7431348662 Now That I Own The BBC (Motiv 8 Radio Edit) / (Tony Catania & Ingo Kays Mix) / (Motiv 8 Dub) / She’s An Anchorman (CD, 3/96)
Roadrunner RR2262-9 The Number One Song In Heaven (Sparks Radio Edit) / (Tin Tin Out Mix) / (Heavenly Dub) / (Tin Tin Out Instrumental) (CD, 10/97, No. 70)
Roadrunner RR2262-3 The Number One Song In Heaven (Sparks Radio Edit) / (Extended Version With Jimmy Somerville) / (Part Two) (CD, 10/97)
Roadrunner RR 2262-6 The Number One Song In Heaven (Tin Tin Out Mix) / (Part Two) / (Heavenly Dub) (with Jimmy Somerville) (12″, die-cut p/s, 10/97)
Roadrunner RR2251-3 This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us (with Faith No More) / (Plagiarism Orchestral Album Version) / Something For The Girl With Everything (with Faith No More) / The Great Leap Forward (CD, 12/97, No. 40)
Roadrunner RR2251-9 This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us (with Faith No More) / (Plagiarism Orchestral Album Version — Instrumental) / Pink Panda (CD, 12/97)
Winney CD IFPI LAE 1 The Cute Candidate / This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us (1920 Archival Recording) / The Winney Empire / The Cute Candidare On TV / The Race For President (CD, fanclub only issue, /99)
Recognition Records CDREC14 The Calm Before The Storm (Radio Edit)/ The Calm Before The Opera / It’s Educational (CD, 8/00, unreleased)
Artful LILBCD 2 Suburban Homeboy (Single Edit) / (‘Ron Speaks’ Version) / Wunderbar (Concerto in Koch Minor) (CD, 3/03)
Gut CDGUT 77 Perfume (Radio Edit) / Baby, Baby, Can I Invade Your Country (Alternate Lyrics) / Perfume (Clor’s Eau De Perfume remix) (2/96)
Gut CD Gut 79 Dick Around / Waterproof / Change (Live) / Interview With Sparks By Steve Jones Of Jonesy’s Jukebox / Enhanced CD: Dick Around (video) (CD, 9/06)
Lil’ Beethoven LBRCDS102 Islington N1 (CD, ‘Golden Ticket’ Holder’s Bonus, 5/08)
Lil’ Beethoven LBRV 2 Lighten Up, Morrissey / Brenda’s Always In The Way (p/s, 3/09)
US Singles
Bearsville BSV 0006 Wonder Girl / (No More) Mr. Nice Guys (1972)
Island IS 001 This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us / Barbecutie (1974)
Island IS 009 Talent Is An Asset/Lost And Found (p/s, 1974)
Warner Bros BEA15516 Girl From Germany/Beaver O’Lindy (1974)
Island IS 023 Achoo / Something For The Girl With Everything (p/s, 1974)
Island IS 043 Looks, Looks, Looks / The Wedding Of Jacqueline Kennedy To Russell Mael (1975)
CBS 3—10579 Over The Summer / Forever Young (1977)
Elektra EF 90157 Beat The Clock / Tryouts For The Human Race (1979)
Elektra E 46045 Tryouts For The Human Race / The Number One Song In Heaven (p/s, 12/79)
Elektra/Asylum AS114—12 Tryouts For The Human Race (Long) / Beat The Clock (12″, 12/79)
Atlantic 4030 I Predict / Moustache (p/s, 5/82, No. 60)
Atlantic DMD325 I Predict (Club Mix) / I Predict (12″, Promo)
Atlantic 4065 Eaten By The Monster Of Love / Mickey Mouse (1982)
Disconet MWDN511 SPECIAL REQUEST: Salsa Smurf / AZUL Y NEGRO: Mar De La Tranquilidad / NORMA LEWIS: Maybe This Time / GAUCHO: Dance Forever / SPARKS: Modesty Plays (6:54 mix by Jack Cardinal and James Pallares) / AMY BOLTON: Get Up And Get It / CHARLIE: I’m A Space Woman (2×12″, p/s, 1983)
Atlantic 7-89866 Cool Places / Sports (p/s, 4/83, No. 49)
Atlantic 0-89863 Cool Places (12″ version) / Sports (4/83)
Atlantic 7-89797 All You Ever Think About Is Sex / I Wish I Looked A Little Better (p/s, 11/83)
Atlantic 086990 All You Ever Think About Is Sex / Dance Godammit (12″, p/s, 11/83)
Atlantic EPPR516 Sparks On Tour: All You Ever Think About Is Sex (Live) / Cool Places (Live) /Popularity / Praying For A Party (12″, promo, p/s with sticker, 1983)
Morocco 66842 SPARKS: Get Crazy / MALCOLM MCDOWELL: Hot Shot (1983)
Atlantic 0-86939 Progress (Extended Club Mix) /Sparks In The Dark (Extended Club Mix) / With All My Might (Extended Club Mix) (12″, p/s, 5/84)
Atlantic 7-89616 Pretending To Be Drunk / Kiss Me Quick (6/84)
Atlantic 0-86917 Pretending To Be Drunk (Extended Vocal Version) / Kiss Me Quick (Extended Vocal Version) (12″, p/s, 6/84)
Atlantic 7-89645 With All My Might / Sparks In The Dark (1984)
Atlantic PR617 With All My Might (LP version) / With All My Might (LP Version) (12″, promo)
Disconet MWDV702 SPARKS: With All My Might (Gary Otto Mix) / Real Rhythm Tracks / Master Mix Medley / ALIVES HIDDING: Hollywood Seven / M7M: Cooling The Medium / BIANCA BONELLI: Je Veux L’Amour / JAY NOVELLE: If This Ain’t Love / GIORGIO MORODER: Machines (2×12″, p/s, 1984)
Private 1 2405627 SPARKS: Armies Of The Night / EVELYN ‘CHAMPAGNE’ KING: Give It Up (1985)
Curb MCA 52879 Music That You Can Dance To / Shopping Mall Of Love (1986)
MCA/Curb MCA 23640 Music That You Can Dance To (LP Version) / (Mini Version) / (Club Version) (12″, 8/86)
MCA/Curb MCA23684 Fingertips (Extended Club Version) / The Scene (Special Club Edit) / Fingertips (Short Version) (12″, p/s, 198
6)
Fine Art/Rhino RNTW70410 So Important (Extremely Important Mix) / (Incredibly Important Mix) / (Single Version) (12″, p/s, 1988)
Fine Art/Rhino PRO2 90006 So Important (Single Version Edit) /So Important (Extremely Important Mix Edit) (CD, promo only, 1988)
Art Of Mix AM 8802 2MEN A DRUM MACHINE AND A TRUMPET: Tired Of Getting Pushed Around / SPARKS: So Important (Dance Edit — Remix By Mr. E) / BOYS FROM BRAZIL: Hot Stuff / JANET JACKSON: Jam It, Janet / MANUFACTURE: Armed Forces (2×12″, p/s)
Fine Art/Rhino RNTW70412 Just Got Back From Heaven (Heaven Can Wait Mix) / (Heaven Can Wait Dub) / (Single Version Edit) / (Angels With Dirty Faces Mix) / Heaven Knows Mr. Allison Mix) (12″, p/s, 1989)
Fine Art/Rhino R2 70413 Just Got Back From Heaven (Heaven Can Wait Radio Mix) / (Single Version Edit) / (Heaven Can Wait Mix Unedited) (CD, promo, 1989)
Art Of Mix AM 8808 ERASURE: Stop (Extended Dance Mix) / SPARKS: Just Got Back From Heaven (6:24 Reincarnation Mix by Michael Marshall and Steve Smith) / VARIOUS: 123 Medley / SECTION 25: Looking From A Hilltop (2×12″, transparent p/s)
Finiflex 8187628271 National Crime Awareness Week (The Radio Mix) / (The Bates Motel Mix) / (The Janet Leigh Mix) / (The Mother’s Mix) (12″ 1993)
BMG/Logic LGJD59007 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’? (Radio Edit) / (Vince Clarke Remix) (p/s, promo-only collector’s edition, 1994)
BMG/ Logic 79591590071 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’? (The Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix) / (Men Behind The Club Mix) / (Microbots Mix) / (The Grid’s Ron and Nancy Mix) (12″, 1994)
BMG/Logic 79591-590072 When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’? (Sparks Radio Edit) / (Rapino 7″) / (The Grid Radio Edit) / (Men Behind Club Mix) / (Vince Clarke Mix) / (Microbots Mix) (CD, 1995)
BMG/ Logic 79591590231 (When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing (Red Jerry Remix) / (Color Blind Club Mix) / (DJ Casanova’s Saturday Nite At Palladium Vocal Mix) / (DJ Casanova’s Saturday Nite At Palladium Dub 1) / (Radio Edit) (12″, p/s, 1995)
BMG/ Logic 9591-590232 (When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing (Radio Edit) / (Bernard Butler’s Edit) / (Red Jerry Remix) / 9Colour Blind Club Mix) / DJ Casanova’s Saturday Nite At Palladium Vocal Mix) / (DJ Casanova’s Saturday Nite At Palladium Dub 1) (CD, 1995)
