Sparks are an American
glam rock band formed in
Los Angeles in 1971 by brothers
Ron (keyboards) and
Russell Mael (vocals), renamed from
Halfnelson, formed in 1968. Known for their quirky approach to songwriting, Sparks' music is often accompanied by intelligent, sophisticated, and lyrics, and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's animated, hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's deadpan scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael's
falsetto voice and Ron Mael's keyboard style.