Tuesday, 18 August 2026

Namesakes #202: Sparks


Hey there, bright sparks! This week, we're living in a powder keg and giving off...


SPARKS #1

Igniting today's post, a collaborative Sparks led by Sam Chatmon with powerful vocals by Gwinny Witherspoon, from the early 50s.



THE SPARKS #2

Followed by a five-piece instrumental group from New Orleans in the late 50s.



SPARKS #3

And an LA-based rock n roll group led by Curtis Irvin from, I'm guessing, some time in the 50s.




THE SPARKS #4

Louisiana rock 'n roll band from 1957...


THE SPARKS #5

More rock n rolly Sparks from California in 1958.



THE SPARKS #6


In 1959, The Sparks were a backing band for Nashville songwriter Boudleaux Bryant (the man who wrote Love Hurts and a bunch of hits for the Everly Brothers, with his wife and co-writer, Felice). 



THE SPARKS #7


Also in 1959, the genie gets out of the bottle via these New York Sparks...



LOS SPARKS #8


Mexican Sparks from 1960...



THE SPARKS #9


Trinbagonian* Calypso group active from 1962, changing their name to Wild Fire in the 70s.

(*The AI Gods tell me that "people from both Trinidad and Tobago are collectively referred to as Trinidadians and Tobagonians, or colloquially Trinbagonians".)



THE SPARKS #10


Next up, some Canadian Sparks from 1963.



THE SPARKS #11

And some soulful Philly Sparks from the mid-60s.



THE SPARKS #12


Dutch Sparks from 1966 with a half-decent cover of a Van Morrison / Them song.



THE SPARKS #13

Cool New York funk/soul band from 1967...



THE SPARKS #14


Meanwhile down in Brazil around the same time...



SPARKS #15


Ron and Russell. From LA, 1969 to now. You know the rest. With apologies to every other featured band this week - this town ain't big enough...


THE SPARKS #16

Zimbabwe Sparks from 1971...



THE SPARKS #17

A Jamaican reggae act (with his pals) from 1975, singing about something that makes him feel happy...



THE SPARKS #18


Nigerian Sparks from 1988. I dig their groovy sci-fi uniforms.



SPARKS #19


Also from 1988, these South African Sparks were taking out the trash...



THE SPARKS #20


AKA Gregg and Rebecca Sparks of Pittsburgh, bothering God since 1989.



SPARX #21


Also starting their career at the end of the 80s - and still going today, by all accounts - these New Mexican sisters were Sparx.



SPARKS. #22


English singer-songwriter active from 2020, who's clearly never heard of Ron & Russell, or thinks sticking a full stop on the end of his name somehow differentiates him.



SPARKS #23

And finally, some Sparks from Minneapolis. According to the Camp of Bands, they're playing three UK dates in August, but I'm not sure I believe that.



Which ones start a fire in you... and which ones leave you cold?


2 comments:

  1. Too many meetings today to go through them all but #15 seem a safe bet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm surprised,and frankly disappointed, that you didn't go for #16!

      Delete

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