Keyboards

Ron Mael (keyboards, songwriting, moustache) and his younger brother Russell (singing, charisma, looks-looks-looks) were born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and first recorded under the name Urban Renewal Project and, later, Halfnelson, before settling on the name Sparks(Opens in a new window) in 1972. Despite being mentored and produced by Todd Rundgren and signed by Bob Dylan's manager Albert Grossman, American audiences initially proved unreceptive to Sparks's uniquely arch, ironic aesthetic, and their breakthrough came instead after they relocated to London with a new backing band. They scored a huge hit in 1974 with the cinematic, staccato single "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us," unleashing full-scale Sparksmania in the UK.

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Sparks: MAD! Tour

Berklee College of Music

Sparks are the influential art pop duo of Ron and Russell Mael, whose career spans more than 50 years. The Los Angeles–raised brothers are widely admired for the wit of their lyrics and the inventiveness of their music, plus their effortless ability to shift genres between glam, hard rock, chamber pop, and electro disco, sometimes within the same song. The only constants are singer Russell's dramatic, heavenly falsetto and energy, and keyboardist Ron's exquisite songwriting.  Annette, the highly anticipated movie musical written by Ron and Russell, directed by Leos Carax (Holy Motors), and starring Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard, and Simon Helberg, reaches screens this year. Sparks' influence and artistic restlessness is celebrated in The Sparks Brothers, a major film documentary directed by Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World). The tagline of that documentary says it best: “50 years. 25 albums. 345 songs. Unlimited genius.”  That genius will be on display at this very special concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Keyboards

Ron Mael

Events

Past events

Sep 11, 2025

Sparks: MAD! Tour · Berklee College of Music

7 - 8 Feb, 2022

Sparks · Los Angeles Philharmonic

About

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