This is great. From IN CONCERT series. Used to turn into WPLJ FM in NYC listen on stereo and watch the TV concert. US teenagers stayed at home to watch our concerts on TV!!!
no, that wasn't mick ronson. though he does look a little bit like him and sounds a bit like him as well. that was their original guitar player, adrian fisher, and i think he sadly passed away in 2000.
Keith and Ringo intro is - lame but a classic of TV at the time. Franz Ferdinand, not to mention Mika got most of their schtick from Sparks. In fact, Mika should send a check every week to Russell.
Yes, thank you for posting this! I saw them so many times and even had dinner with them once! I saw them a few years ago at The HOUSE OF BLUES and they were still great!!!!!! I love these guys!
New to Sparks, I am continually amazed by 1) their stunning level of musical talent and professionality, 2) their likeable and bizarre personas, 3) the intelligence of the writing, and 4) their ability to excel in whatever style they chose.
When I am King, Sparks will be a required learning element in all schools.
THANX A MILLION for upping and sharing these cultural gems, joanof(m)arc :
May 1974, my parents had the fresh 'Kimono My House' LP on vinyl :
I was 5 years old at that time, ..sticked to the tv-screen when they appeared (between Mud, Slade, Zappa, Roxy Music, Bowie, Pink Floyd, The Who & The Rolling Stones) and a true fan (of them all) eversince...
the Mael brothers are still kickin' : check for the FROM THE BASEMENT (dot TV) sessions.
Headed notepaper used by Sparks management in the early seventies carried the legend 'Sparks: so original you'd think we were British'................probably.
growing up in the 70's i thought that punk was the best thing to happen to me..... but in retrospect i now realise that sparks were the best band of the 70's bar none....simply stunning ..way ahead of thier time.....i still have propaganda and kimono my house lp on vynyl
Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for posting this. I literally have not viewed this video footage since its rebroadcast on "ABC In Concert's 2nd Anniversary Show" about 35 years ago. Absolutely amazing. During this phase, Sparks to some extent was a precursor to New Wave, and they didn't even know it themselves or see it coming. On the other hand, in an Old Wave sense, I also always thought that Queen stole their act (and reaped the rewards Sparks should have).
@Medleyitis Ironically, I went to see Queen in 1974 in Toronto and they had to cancel as Freddie had a sore throat. Sparks went on Queen's place. A great show, i took a lot of photographs from the front of the stage :)
I can't believe someone said Sparks and XTC are their favorite bands! XTC has always been my favorite, and after not listening to Sparks since '74's Propaganda, I have totally gotten back into them. The Mael brothers are awesome. Long live Russell, Ron and Andy Partridge!
Sparks are a fantastic band because they are different. XTC are anither band that are different and highly underated. But if you listen to the bands today their sound has been influenced by these acts.
For Noddyneeds: I was listening to Sparks back when they did this concert. I have been a fan for a very long time. I am 100% American. Are you calling me a Dumb American? I really don't think that's nice.
Brings back memories of my first stereo and my weekly allowance that I used to spend on records. I bought this one as a gamble. I thought for years I was the only one who'd ever heard of them. Thanks for posting the vid.
This clip is perfectly perverse. If you watch the crowd shots from the stage, there is no movement whatsoever!! The TV makers obviously edited in the (totally out of time) clapping and frugging audience segments from the blasted Eagles performance. Even being bludgeoned with talent from the genius Maels, they still don't understand. The Eagles and Rod Stewart are about all they deserve.
You mean the guy that started Mute records and to release The Normal record a couple years later? Don't you think he is a little yound to be the man in the video? I do assume you are kidding of course. Good one.
Been together nearly 40 years and still going strong! Surely the most under rated band ever? Their influence on other bands has been massive,. but maybe never fully realised by many? I first saw them in 1974...Eeeek!!
i'm glad i got to see this again after over 30 years! i was very impressed by them and their influence lives on in bands like cheap trick and musicians like myself. great underrated band and these are my favorite songs from them!
Introduced by Moonie and Ringo. . .strangely appropriate! Ron and Russell in their first run around the USA! I remember seeing this broadcast and their appearance on "The Midnight Special", and running out myself to Peaches to find their "Kimono My House" LP. Wonderful stuff--and they are just as great today in 2009! Totally unique and brilliant!
So many people do not know about SPARKS....I do my best by playing the albums at parties I am given the chance to. Kimono and Propaganda are top of the list...half the time those albums just blow away the opposition. No-one plays a Franz Ferdinand album after SPARKS and Bloc Party sound like AC/DC after Indiscreet. I need not worry about saying long live SPARKS....half the bands you hear nowadays sound just like them...but without that....that....spark.
SPARKS` first two albums from 1972-73 "Sparks (aka `Halfnelson`)" and "A Woofer in tweeter`s clothing" are perhaps more weird than this but in a typically Sparks way. For a straight ahead rock approach go for "Big Beat" from `76. They changed direction completely (heavily electronic, but still Sparks through and through) with the "No.1 in Heaven" album in `79. Their `80`s music is more patchy with "Whomp that sucker" and "Angst in my pants" perhaps the best of their `80`s albums.
this is about the only band my friend Vince and I disagreed on. I celebrated their first 2 albums. Vince did not. Yep. gonna google 'em now or whatnot.
gotta be him, i think the sunglasses took away a bit of the dimension in his nose... and besides, Keith usually hung out with ONLY a select few, Ringo being one of them.
Sparks is far and away the most underrated rock band ever. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should only be so smart to recognize this truth. Back in college I had a roommate who, whenever confronted with, say, Talking Heads in their heyday, would wisely stop, listen, then pronounce: "Sounds like Sparks."
Yeah, I don't have the second part due to a computer meltdown (gutted due to Achoo being part thereof) so if someone else can upload it, that'd be sweeet. (ayesha?!)
I remember when Sparks was Half Nelson and they were rejected by everyone in the states...They changed their name, created an act, grew a Hitler mustashe, moved to England and the rest is musical history,,,
I think it was meant to be a Chaplin 'tache, see early album covers of a curly-haired Ron. It as Lennon who said that Hitler was playing keybooards ...
Fantastic. Better live than on record. Love the baroque piano and the way the rock goes together. This is a real forerunner of New Wave - way ahead of its time.
Is it recorded in the States? The audience just don't seem to get it - the Americans never did.
i remember seeing this when I was 15 on the original broadcast. will have to show my 15 year old this, he will get a kick out of it. They were in the movie Rollercoaster performing at the amusement park. They were so bad they were great, if you know what I mean.
I can't believe he even talks with the english accent. But for real, this is awesome. That guitarist is pretty great sounding. I hear they have one of the Redd Kross brothers now though, which sounds damn interesting to me.
They are very gifted and their music has been so ahead of its time. That kind of songs doesn't age ! I also think their music in 74 sounds like early Queen and both band at that time had that glam rock style on scene. Unfortunately I only heard of them 2 months ago ! I think they deserve more fame !
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Good vocalist, but basically just a few guys trying way too hard to be odd. The best part of this is Moon and Ringo. The second best part is around 1:26 when the singer marching looks like a cat "making biscuits".
WOW!! Thanks for posting this!! I remember when I was 14 recording this from the TV with a small audio cassette recorder and listening to ir over and over til I found the actual vinyl...
i really like these guys,never really heard them before.ill bet that freddy mercury was influenced by these guys,queen sounds a lot like them,in my opinion.
I remember seeing this back then - I was 15 or 16 at the time. Riveting stuff - I wasn't full-on into music then but later on I seeked out "Kimono My House", absolutely classic album and Nikki your father's crunchy guitar here was absolutely key to their sound. Brilliant band and at the top of their game here.
1974 was a pretty dire time in music - we were lucky to have Sparks back then. They had to go to England to be appreciated! Not even appreciated here in LA, their own hometown.
The dazed girl at 1:43-1:44 tells the whole story!! There's some strange editing going on during "Talent Is An Asset", there are clips inserted of the crowd going crazy, but when you see the audience from the stage or when you see the stage from the audience, most people are sitting rather still?!?
I saw Sparks on "In Concert" back in '74, the next morning I rode the bus downtown to Super Music City and bought the album!! And I still have it!! Thanx for posting this!!!
Lemme tell you something, bluelightcycle, the world seemed to be crawling with amazing bands back then. I found Sparks absolutely riveting, used to play Kimono My House over and over again to try to fathom all the lyrics, but also to dig their remarkable inventiveness. They did things I'd never heard or imagined possible before. I was 25 at the time. Strange fact: there's a racehorse in the UK right now called K M H - would love to know who named it and why.
Great clip!! Quite apart from the sheer brilliance of Ron & Russ, it's the scrunchy guitar style of Trevor White that really makes this performance rock! Pity the director couldn't give him a look in, or the rest of the band for that matter.
Aaaaah, SPARKS! I (cassette) recorded this In Concert performanmce in '74. If not already unique, the Moonie & Mr. Starkey intro is worth admission alone. If ya'll haven't experienced "Kimono My House" - you're missing out. "Talent is an Asset" is the definitive track of this era in Spark's history. Truly acerbic & spot on!
The thing I don't get as a 24 year old in the year 2008 is........... Back in the 70's did those of you who were 24 in 1974 realise how awesome a group like Sparks were or did you just take them for granted the same way I take Muse (for example) for granted nowadays?
Oh HELL no! We knew just how unique these guys were right from the get-go. Y'know, I consider myself so lucky to have been 16 back in 1974..there's still a helluvalot I hated about that era (the fashions were GOD AWFUL)garbage ...there was so much stuff going on from a creative standpoint that kids these days would probably shit themselves blind at seeing REAL musicians that could actually write their own material and play their instruments without the extra "help" you see so much of these days.
Hey niknix1234 - was your dad also in the 1979 version of Radio Stars? But on bass rather than guitar?? I definitely saw him in the 1975 version of Sparks that toured Indiscreet, which was a brilliant evening (in Sheffield).
i saw him play recently at madame jojos at a sparks tribute event. i also recently bought a cd of a former band - jook - and his playing is just brilliant on that. please give him my very best regards as a lifelong fan of sparks and trevor white!
Ah I should have gone to that gig. I didnt get to for some reason. I saw a bit on You Tube but the quality wasnt great. Thank you for the kind comments, I WILL pass them on. He has a page on MySpace. If you look at my You Tube page there is a link to my Myspace page and he is my friend on there.
My Boyz
Dagdason 7 months ago
keith moon, ringo, sparks; this video has everything and i ain't even a girl:)
TheMaceymacreary 10 months ago
peerless!
theonlyantony 11 months ago
This is great. From IN CONCERT series. Used to turn into WPLJ FM in NYC listen on stereo and watch the TV concert. US teenagers stayed at home to watch our concerts on TV!!!
LastTree 11 months ago
highlight of this video was MOONIE........
LennysComet 11 months ago
This is actually quite good music
pedrosobota 1 year ago
Yes, the 70s were THAT cool! yeah
zfloid44 1 year ago
no, that wasn't mick ronson. though he does look a little bit like him and sounds a bit like him as well. that was their original guitar player, adrian fisher, and i think he sadly passed away in 2000.
2002rude 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hitler and his gay lover.
CherryONeil 1 year ago
Thank you to Gene Ween for turning me on to one of the best bands of all time.
The looks on some of the audiences faces is priceless.
BoognishBockwinkle 1 year ago
@BoognishBockwinkle Doesn't surprise me that Ween are (or at least Gene is) Sparks fans. Those guys have great taste.
crescentfreshbret 10 months ago
It was Ringo and Keith said Thomas.
nathancroucher90 1 year ago
5:53!!! LMAO!!! 'I'M SO FUCKING BORED!!!!'
rickobear64 1 year ago 2
@rickobear64 you should be shot. spose u like snoop doggy bitch dog or similar crap?
peterpiper41 1 year ago
3:49!!! i love the facial expressions!! ;)
rickobear64 1 year ago
3:58!!!! ;) was that Mick Ronson???
rickobear64 1 year ago
HOLYSHIT!!!!!!!! is that Keith Moon???!!!!!!!!!!
01011101010001111010 1 year ago 2
@01011101010001111010 Yes it is Keith!!!! and Ringo cutting his tie off...HEHEHEH!!!!
MrTulip65 1 year ago
I have to see Sparks live! they are awesomer than a very awesome thing.
badkaraokier 1 year ago 2
Keith and Ringo intro is - lame but a classic of TV at the time. Franz Ferdinand, not to mention Mika got most of their schtick from Sparks. In fact, Mika should send a check every week to Russell.
chaosIsTheOnlyPower 1 year ago
@chaosIsTheOnlyPower Mika is awesome as well. :)
fatpizzaman 1 year ago
To Sparks this must be a hell of a double trip o cola. They were (are) head over heels Who fans. Not kidding. RIP Keith Moon.
zurapDOR 1 year ago
I love anything by the Sparks. I've loved them since my childhood. I love Russell
sarajoanne26 1 year ago
Hehe ron :)
LokiV 1 year ago 3
The Mael Brothers are Geniuses. Yes, the Transvestite and Adolf!
maramaku 1 year ago
Yes, thank you for posting this! I saw them so many times and even had dinner with them once! I saw them a few years ago at The HOUSE OF BLUES and they were still great!!!!!! I love these guys!
drewasunder 1 year ago 2
New to Sparks, I am continually amazed by 1) their stunning level of musical talent and professionality, 2) their likeable and bizarre personas, 3) the intelligence of the writing, and 4) their ability to excel in whatever style they chose.
When I am King, Sparks will be a required learning element in all schools.
dogshark9 1 year ago 10
I was one of the fans who understood them.
truvelocity 1 year ago 3
WOW, IN-FREAKIN'-CREDIBLE !!
THANX A MILLION for upping and sharing these cultural gems, joanof(m)arc :
May 1974, my parents had the fresh 'Kimono My House' LP on vinyl :
I was 5 years old at that time, ..sticked to the tv-screen when they appeared (between Mud, Slade, Zappa, Roxy Music, Bowie, Pink Floyd, The Who & The Rolling Stones) and a true fan (of them all) eversince...
the Mael brothers are still kickin' : check for the FROM THE BASEMENT (dot TV) sessions.
fokrobot 2 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
disgusting noise ,really!
PetyoVASS 2 years ago
Headed notepaper used by Sparks management in the early seventies carried the legend 'Sparks: so original you'd think we were British'................probably.
MrChisum 2 years ago 2
I think Moonie and Ringo were definitely on about their 2nd 5th when they did the intro!
mazakman1957 2 years ago
Dinky Diamond is THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GREATWHITE2 2 years ago 3
growing up in the 70's i thought that punk was the best thing to happen to me..... but in retrospect i now realise that sparks were the best band of the 70's bar none....simply stunning ..way ahead of thier time.....i still have propaganda and kimono my house lp on vynyl
mrblack4026 2 years ago 5
Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for posting this. I literally have not viewed this video footage since its rebroadcast on "ABC In Concert's 2nd Anniversary Show" about 35 years ago. Absolutely amazing. During this phase, Sparks to some extent was a precursor to New Wave, and they didn't even know it themselves or see it coming. On the other hand, in an Old Wave sense, I also always thought that Queen stole their act (and reaped the rewards Sparks should have).
Medleyitis 2 years ago 10
@Medleyitis Ironically, I went to see Queen in 1974 in Toronto and they had to cancel as Freddie had a sore throat. Sparks went on Queen's place. A great show, i took a lot of photographs from the front of the stage :)
TD88com 4 months ago
Fantastic rare show...5*
FWWS1 2 years ago 3
Will part 2 come?
Mattexmo 2 years ago
Just found these. Incredible. Always loved Sparks but never saw them live. This is an excellent clip of their performance.
omanmc 2 years ago
Love it:-)
The year I was born.... Wow... what I missed!
dixieanndalton 2 years ago
i'd have been pogo-in like a cunt nailed on-yeah even in 74
cockney1980 2 years ago
the look on that girls face at 1.43!!!!!
thats Sparks my girl-it'll rock and sink yer boat
cockney1980 2 years ago
"the look on that girls face at 1.43!!!!!"
HAha I wonder if she was tripping?
mazakman1957 2 years ago 4
I can't believe someone said Sparks and XTC are their favorite bands! XTC has always been my favorite, and after not listening to Sparks since '74's Propaganda, I have totally gotten back into them. The Mael brothers are awesome. Long live Russell, Ron and Andy Partridge!
xtxgo2 2 years ago 2
i only found out about them with this video today, but they seem sooooo good. something for the girl with everything seems like such a great song!!!
MattAyroli 2 years ago 2
No Words...
exitsub99 2 years ago
SPARKS !!!! they deserve attention.a great AMERICAN BAND unlikeanyother.Siouxsie covered one of their hits THIS TOWN. I LOVE THEM !!
lovesGenet 2 years ago 3
Whats with the rainbow?
transmissionjimmy69 2 years ago
Look at 4:45!!!!!!!!!!
Hollandia777 2 years ago
Da wäre ich gerne dabei gewesen !!!
Die Sparks waren der Zeit weit vorraus.
sonnenland1a 2 years ago
Sparks are a fantastic band because they are different. XTC are anither band that are different and highly underated. But if you listen to the bands today their sound has been influenced by these acts.
tascaman69 2 years ago 6
Damn, Sparks and XTC were and still are my two favorite bands!
Spartacus217 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
WOW , was that ever BAD !!!
gumper5242 2 years ago
For Noddyneeds: I was listening to Sparks back when they did this concert. I have been a fan for a very long time. I am 100% American. Are you calling me a Dumb American? I really don't think that's nice.
mtmassociate 2 years ago
Ah, Yes Kimono My House
Brings back memories of my first stereo and my weekly allowance that I used to spend on records. I bought this one as a gamble. I thought for years I was the only one who'd ever heard of them. Thanks for posting the vid.
suzycreamchez123 2 years ago 3
"Still to come... The Eagles and Rod Stewart!"
This clip is perfectly perverse. If you watch the crowd shots from the stage, there is no movement whatsoever!! The TV makers obviously edited in the (totally out of time) clapping and frugging audience segments from the blasted Eagles performance. Even being bludgeoned with talent from the genius Maels, they still don't understand. The Eagles and Rod Stewart are about all they deserve.
blackmore4 2 years ago 4
Way, Way too advanced for dumb Americans (who only like what they are told to) and came to the UK for recognition. I love them
noddyneeds 2 years ago 5
at min. 1: 12 is DANIEL MILLER DEPECHE MODE PRODUCTOR?
69marylu69 2 years ago
You mean the guy that started Mute records and to release The Normal record a couple years later? Don't you think he is a little yound to be the man in the video? I do assume you are kidding of course. Good one.
groovechaser 2 years ago
Addictive
NeutronZapper 2 years ago 2
Been together nearly 40 years and still going strong! Surely the most under rated band ever? Their influence on other bands has been massive,. but maybe never fully realised by many? I first saw them in 1974...Eeeek!!
castra58 2 years ago 5
They dont make hot steaming bands like this anymore.
salfexile 2 years ago 4
Comment removed
NeutronZapper 2 years ago
An incredible,unique band.Still sound good today.
davydrums86 2 years ago 3
Um at minute 3:18 IS THAT JANE WIEDLIN?!?!
djsabor 2 years ago
God that looks like her. She had to be 12yo back then.
groovechaser 2 years ago
16, by my math, and apparently the president of their fan club. Pretty rad, huh?
djsabor 2 years ago
i'm glad i got to see this again after over 30 years! i was very impressed by them and their influence lives on in bands like cheap trick and musicians like myself. great underrated band and these are my favorite songs from them!
2002rude 2 years ago
The Sparks "Bros" are from California
jdlewis60 2 years ago 2
Introduced by Moonie and Ringo. . .strangely appropriate! Ron and Russell in their first run around the USA! I remember seeing this broadcast and their appearance on "The Midnight Special", and running out myself to Peaches to find their "Kimono My House" LP. Wonderful stuff--and they are just as great today in 2009! Totally unique and brilliant!
lp45cdwoman 2 years ago 4
So many people do not know about SPARKS....I do my best by playing the albums at parties I am given the chance to. Kimono and Propaganda are top of the list...half the time those albums just blow away the opposition. No-one plays a Franz Ferdinand album after SPARKS and Bloc Party sound like AC/DC after Indiscreet. I need not worry about saying long live SPARKS....half the bands you hear nowadays sound just like them...but without that....that....spark.
Johnnywr 2 years ago 18
Could you please recommend me some more Sparks songs? I just started listening to them.
101Volts 2 years ago
SPARKS` first two albums from 1972-73 "Sparks (aka `Halfnelson`)" and "A Woofer in tweeter`s clothing" are perhaps more weird than this but in a typically Sparks way. For a straight ahead rock approach go for "Big Beat" from `76. They changed direction completely (heavily electronic, but still Sparks through and through) with the "No.1 in Heaven" album in `79. Their `80`s music is more patchy with "Whomp that sucker" and "Angst in my pants" perhaps the best of their `80`s albums.
Johnnywr 2 years ago 4
Thanks a lot, I'm going to search those on youtube right now!
101Volts 2 years ago
I LOVE Keith!
MoonBarrett 2 years ago
the Mael brothers truly are ingeneous in their musicianship...remarkable!
2468oldschooltimes 2 years ago 2
Everyone's gacked out. Ringo is creepy.
rdezonia 2 years ago
Oh boy, the Eagles!
Sandbag209 2 years ago
スパークスもすごいがキースとリンゴのお宝映像があったとは。
というかロン・ミール鬼畜過ぎるｗ
u2pinkzep 2 years ago 2
Can't find part 2
kevthegerbil1958 2 years ago
this is about the only band my friend Vince and I disagreed on. I celebrated their first 2 albums. Vince did not. Yep. gonna google 'em now or whatnot.
billyredux 2 years ago
i personally think kimono my house and propoganda took sparks to a new level
2468oldschooltimes 2 years ago 4
Oh Cool!!! Keith Moon & Ringo Starr m.c.'d this... awesome! :-)
chevysal70 2 years ago
is that really Ringo ??,...when he turned, and i saw his profile,....didnt look right, nose is way to small ?? i dunno.....
neondave 2 years ago
gotta be him, i think the sunglasses took away a bit of the dimension in his nose... and besides, Keith usually hung out with ONLY a select few, Ringo being one of them.
chevysal70 2 years ago
I had 2 favorite bands 35 years ago: Alice Cooper and SPARKS. Truly original........
normy999 2 years ago 5
I was 11 & those early albums still sound amazing! Love 'em, always will! So ahead of their time back in 1974 & still going strong today
sehort 2 years ago 3
i was only ten and i am 44 now and still think the sparks are great long live the sparks
lfccogs 2 years ago 3
In my school we was 3 groups Sparks Kiss and Sweets i was sparks and little the sweets
downIoder 2 years ago
Will Part 2 every be uploaded? Please?
Mattexmo 2 years ago 2
Nice find
Thanks
:-)
Sparks127 2 years ago 2
Sparks is far and away the most underrated rock band ever. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should only be so smart to recognize this truth. Back in college I had a roommate who, whenever confronted with, say, Talking Heads in their heyday, would wisely stop, listen, then pronounce: "Sounds like Sparks."
zeelandsteven 2 years ago 5
Yeah, I don't have the second part due to a computer meltdown (gutted due to Achoo being part thereof) so if someone else can upload it, that'd be sweeet. (ayesha?!)
joanofmarc 2 years ago
I remember when Sparks was Half Nelson and they were rejected by everyone in the states...They changed their name, created an act, grew a Hitler mustashe, moved to England and the rest is musical history,,,
mitzjob 2 years ago 4
I think it was meant to be a Chaplin 'tache, see early album covers of a curly-haired Ron. It as Lennon who said that Hitler was playing keybooards ...
TheJester1962 2 years ago 3
i think Sparks deserve the America's Hall of Fame!
2468oldschooltimes 3 years ago 5
Fantastic! got part 2
bastardsall 3 years ago 2
Ron's maniacal stare's on a par with Keith Moon's ... vintage stuff!
bigenough4bothofus 3 years ago 3
Fantastic. Better live than on record. Love the baroque piano and the way the rock goes together. This is a real forerunner of New Wave - way ahead of its time.
Is it recorded in the States? The audience just don't seem to get it - the Americans never did.
keith904A 3 years ago 4
sparks: one of the best bands of ALL time!
pippigladstone 3 years ago 3
great!
poddel 3 years ago
i remember seeing this when I was 15 on the original broadcast. will have to show my 15 year old this, he will get a kick out of it. They were in the movie Rollercoaster performing at the amusement park. They were so bad they were great, if you know what I mean.
happysince96 3 years ago
Where's part 2 etc
kevthegerbil1958 3 years ago
Is that Ringo Star, the guy with the scissors?
misssoftglitterkid 3 years ago
yes it is
eblink 3 years ago
Nice! Keith Moon and Sparks!
bostonredsox767 3 years ago
Oh my! Sigh, beautiful. :)
beatlebijou 3 years ago
mmm...i didn't like that.
fuckamericanidiot 3 years ago
GOD, I love these guys!! Kimono My House is still in my top 20 albums of all time.
opalasattic 3 years ago
I was going to say the same about "Propaganda".
Vive Sparks!
PopeRatzo 3 years ago
Timeless ..... pop music for smart people.
picchaz 3 years ago 2
Great, I loved Sparks, The Mael Bros. were so entertaining, goood music, funny stage presence. Talent is an Asset is one of my favorites.
rwm1 3 years ago 2
oh man, they still are incredible.
joanofmarc 3 years ago
@rwm1
Hi sarajoanne here.
I to am a big fan of the Mael brothers-have been since childhood.Whatever they do is great.
sarajoanne26 1 year ago
This is absolutley awsome.From an era when popmusic was popmusic.Thank's for posting
baschten 3 years ago
I can't believe he even talks with the english accent. But for real, this is awesome. That guitarist is pretty great sounding. I hear they have one of the Redd Kross brothers now though, which sounds damn interesting to me.
ultramouse 3 years ago
Steve MF-ing McDonald!
joanofmarc 3 years ago
whzzzzz with that person at 2:03,... donts like it i guess
neondave 3 years ago
Where is part 2?
BaldomeroRococo 3 years ago
classic mid-70's live sparks with great guitar punch to the tunes
mrprostate 3 years ago 2
They are very gifted and their music has been so ahead of its time. That kind of songs doesn't age ! I also think their music in 74 sounds like early Queen and both band at that time had that glam rock style on scene. Unfortunately I only heard of them 2 months ago ! I think they deserve more fame !
dilahila 3 years ago
go look for Paul McCartney's "Coming Up" where he plays all the characters in the band. In it he's clearly mimicking the keyboard player! lol
nimrefsagelliv 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Good vocalist, but basically just a few guys trying way too hard to be odd. The best part of this is Moon and Ringo. The second best part is around 1:26 when the singer marching looks like a cat "making biscuits".
notanotheraccount 3 years ago
WOW!! Thanks for posting this!! I remember when I was 14 recording this from the TV with a small audio cassette recorder and listening to ir over and over til I found the actual vinyl...
thediamonddoggie 3 years ago 3
i really like these guys,never really heard them before.ill bet that freddy mercury was influenced by these guys,queen sounds a lot like them,in my opinion.
pjsbulldog67 3 years ago 2
Finally I´ve found it!
Borgia3 3 years ago
is that keith moon and ringo starr at the start???
nelldogcf 3 years ago
yes it is
freakbeat9 3 years ago
WHERE'S PT.2???
pleeezeeatme 3 years ago
I remember seeing this back then - I was 15 or 16 at the time. Riveting stuff - I wasn't full-on into music then but later on I seeked out "Kimono My House", absolutely classic album and Nikki your father's crunchy guitar here was absolutely key to their sound. Brilliant band and at the top of their game here.
1974 was a pretty dire time in music - we were lucky to have Sparks back then. They had to go to England to be appreciated! Not even appreciated here in LA, their own hometown.
RiotNrrrdUTube 3 years ago 3
absolutly brilliant.....thank god for guys like you,well done
mneal1956 3 years ago 2
The dazed girl at 1:43-1:44 tells the whole story!! There's some strange editing going on during "Talent Is An Asset", there are clips inserted of the crowd going crazy, but when you see the audience from the stage or when you see the stage from the audience, most people are sitting rather still?!?
I saw Sparks on "In Concert" back in '74, the next morning I rode the bus downtown to Super Music City and bought the album!! And I still have it!! Thanx for posting this!!!
weenielongus 3 years ago
Lemme tell you something, bluelightcycle, the world seemed to be crawling with amazing bands back then. I found Sparks absolutely riveting, used to play Kimono My House over and over again to try to fathom all the lyrics, but also to dig their remarkable inventiveness. They did things I'd never heard or imagined possible before. I was 25 at the time. Strange fact: there's a racehorse in the UK right now called K M H - would love to know who named it and why.
arbutus27 3 years ago 5
is there a pt 2? :))
freakbeat9 3 years ago
Great clip!! Quite apart from the sheer brilliance of Ron & Russ, it's the scrunchy guitar style of Trevor White that really makes this performance rock! Pity the director couldn't give him a look in, or the rest of the band for that matter.
geoffers35 3 years ago
You can't spell scrunchy without crunchy!
LokiClock 3 years ago
Sorry, is that not the correct term then? I employed a bit of metaphoric license.
geoffers35 3 years ago
I'm saying crunchy applies, too, and scrunchy contains the word crunchy.
LokiClock 3 years ago
@ geoffers35
u r right!
but the bass player ( i dont know his name) is also brilliant, dont u think? i mean...this was 1974!
great musicians!!!
i was about 10 years old when i heard "something for the girl..." for the first time. and i still love it!
thank you sparks!!!
restonva69 3 years ago
Absolutely! The bass player (I think) was Ian Hampton, with Dinky Diamond on drums.
geoffers35 3 years ago
Sparks were so ahead of their time. and to think they are still doing a concert with a new album out this year. unbelievable
jericgarner 3 years ago 2
how could i live 44 years and never hear of these guys thier wierd i like it
JASPER10111 3 years ago
I'm you're age, friend! They disappeared after disco and punk rock. I grew up in the LA area, (the Mael's hometown)
Hit me up, I'll send you their best.
Anyone here, hit me up. I'm THE Sparks fan in LA since the 70s..
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ralph64 3 years ago
please please please... part II!!!
sigmasix 3 years ago
Sparks is the best Band of the world. Very thank you for posting this video.
DamballaWedo 3 years ago 3
Aaaaah, SPARKS! I (cassette) recorded this In Concert performanmce in '74. If not already unique, the Moonie & Mr. Starkey intro is worth admission alone. If ya'll haven't experienced "Kimono My House" - you're missing out. "Talent is an Asset" is the definitive track of this era in Spark's history. Truly acerbic & spot on!
Hasta Manana Monsieurs & Senioritas...
Albert
azgriffy 3 years ago
Sparks are crazy, i adore this band :))
CircusOfHeaven 3 years ago
5:53. How does he keep a straight face whilst playing a tune like that?! Ron Mael is brilliant.
bluelightcycle 3 years ago
Amazing !! Please post part 2 !
adeuh 3 years ago 2
Sparks- Most under rated band who came from the USA in terms of musical talent.
jdlewis60 3 years ago 8
The thing I don't get as a 24 year old in the year 2008 is........... Back in the 70's did those of you who were 24 in 1974 realise how awesome a group like Sparks were or did you just take them for granted the same way I take Muse (for example) for granted nowadays?
bluelightcycle 3 years ago 5
I was 13 in 1974, and I knew then that Sparks were totally unique and special!
cravenpark 3 years ago 4
bands that were signed then were talented.
dentistsugardusty 3 years ago
Oh HELL no! We knew just how unique these guys were right from the get-go. Y'know, I consider myself so lucky to have been 16 back in 1974..there's still a helluvalot I hated about that era (the fashions were GOD AWFUL)garbage ...there was so much stuff going on from a creative standpoint that kids these days would probably shit themselves blind at seeing REAL musicians that could actually write their own material and play their instruments without the extra "help" you see so much of these days.
opalasattic 3 years ago 3
Hey niknix1234 - was your dad also in the 1979 version of Radio Stars? But on bass rather than guitar?? I definitely saw him in the 1975 version of Sparks that toured Indiscreet, which was a brilliant evening (in Sheffield).
RamonesKaraoke 3 years ago
This made my day - Sparks, and Moony and Ringo all at once. Brilliant.
RamonesKaraoke 3 years ago 3
AMAZING!
DeanRB32 3 years ago 2
This concert video is the best ever capturing the brilliance of Sparks! The reaction of the audience speaks volumes.
lynnetom20042003 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Sounds like The Darkness!
furakkueroru 3 years ago
I think it's the other way round. Spark have been round for much longer.
81126mm 3 years ago
Please post Part 2!! I love this!
TheNo1Superstar 3 years ago
Classic, brilliant, entertaining Sparks- England were hip to them, and generally America was not--but there are many exceptions-me for instance!
teelanes2u 3 years ago 4
Performing in front of a rainbow.Subtle.
negalibuti 3 years ago 2
thank you for posting this amazing footage.. please post part 2!! i am hooked!
sigmasix 3 years ago 3
Presenter :Keith Moon
The"masked man":Richard Starkey
This is only fitting....tøø much talent.
PAULLONDEN 3 years ago
trevor white is something of a genius.
i saw him play recently at madame jojos at a sparks tribute event. i also recently bought a cd of a former band - jook - and his playing is just brilliant on that. please give him my very best regards as a lifelong fan of sparks and trevor white!
mightybishop 3 years ago 2
Ah I should have gone to that gig. I didnt get to for some reason. I saw a bit on You Tube but the quality wasnt great. Thank you for the kind comments, I WILL pass them on. He has a page on MySpace. If you look at my You Tube page there is a link to my Myspace page and he is my friend on there.
niknix1234 3 years ago
Hello,
I would like to know if you are going to put the rest of the video of sparks (concert in 1974) on youtube. Thanks to answering =)
PS : sorry for the bad english ^^'
edelweiss57950 3 years ago 2
Look on my favourite videos at Silent Night by Anytime. This is my dad playing December last year . Cheers Nix
niknix1234 3 years ago
aHH MY DAD IS PLAYING THE LEAD GUITAR ON THIS.
niknix1234 4 years ago