Talent Is an Asset - Sparks | The Midnight Special

Sparks performed on the Midnight Special November 15, 1974

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[kevinramsey]

Sparks, your favorite band's favorite band.

[angellacanfora]

Really one of the most clever and unique rock songs ever recorded, IMO. A song about Albert Einstein as told from the POV of his family. Not only are the lyrics clever but melodically and structurally it's so very interesting. Just genius.

[greggower]

I’ve been pushing them for the R&R HOF for ten years or more. They’ve been active for over 50 years and more than 25 albums. They deserve it.

[kt]

This is exactly the moment where I fell in love with Sparks for the rest of my life. I just happened to be watching this TV show when on comes Ron with his single-chord opening, and I thought "what the heck is going on here?" Then up came the bass, up came the guitar, and up came Russell! I ran out that next day and bought KIMONO MY HOUSE at Peaches Records and Tapes, after asking the store folks "what was that great band on The Midnight Special last night?" They knew exactly the band I was asking about because that was all anyone raved about all day long. After I had played KIMONO about fifty times, I went back to Peaches and bought WOOFER, SPARKS (the album formerly known as Halfnelson), played them each about fifty times, and I am still a fan of the Brothers Mael many years, and albums, on. I am now 70, Ron is 79, Russell is 76, and my favorite band of all time (sorry, Stones) is even more relevant in 2025 than ever before. The new album, MAD, is out in May. God Bless you, Ron and Russell.

[davidjarvi]

They were and still are uniquely great…..I’m alovinemalways

[babettesfeast]

Ron’s deadpan scowling is hilarious,
What I wouldn’t give to have Russell’s hair.

[johnjones]

Happy to discover some folks who saw this from years ago.

[DaniRocksaurier]

Thank You very much . R.I.P. Dinkey Diamond🙏

[regaltipA]

Please tell me another band that has ever sounded like Sparks. Unique. There is no other. Awesome

[GreenManalishiUSA]

Sparks on TV in the early 1970s left millions of American viewers (myself included) scratching our heads and wondering, "What the heck was *that*?" Fifty years later, we are just starting to get it. Talk about a band that is always ahead of its audience...

[stingylizard]

This performance blew a lot of minds back in 1974! Mine's still messed up... Thank you, Bros!

[kathybest]

I saw this way back when, didn't really know what to make of it but absolutely loved it. Still do, everything of theirs I've ever heard. Love the creativity! (And Ron has always been my favorite.)

[markstocker]

Pre MTV, this and Don Kirshner's "Rock Concert" was where we watched musicians perform on TV.

[TheBoffomundoShow]

Continuing brilliance from Sparks. New 2023 tracks are as fresh and innovative as the early stuff.

[M_C]

I remember watching this as a kid. So exciting to see one of my favorite bands (and the best iteration of Sparks) on TV!

[mickgreen-tgzp]

Just catching up with Sparks again after seeing them doing the do at Glastonbury....what a treasure they are...this track is just mind boggling....the lyrics, the voice and delivery...not to mention the great band they had at that time...Albert Einsteins moustache and beard would have surely twitched along to this.A genius song about a genius...

[CStackCi]

I remember this broadcast! Guitarist plays a Guild S-100, same as I play! Bravo!!

[robertwalsha]

What a great band, with a super-tight performance. Stunning stuff! You can also hear why the band never had mainstream US success: too out there (but great for all the pop/rock connoisseurs) 😀

[LarryGravesCanadianStudmuffin]

Loved this band since seeing this in 1974, and they are still going stronger than ever. Highly recommend their documentary by Edgar Wright, The Sparks Brothers.

[therealsoulproduct]

Ever since watching their documentary in 2021, they've become like a musical obsession to me.