Russell Mael
| Russell Mael | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Russell Craig Mael |
| Born |
October 5, 1948 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts |
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| Website | allsparks |
Russell Craig Mael (born October 5, 1948) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer.
Mael's music career spans more than 50 years. With his elder brother Ron, he formed the pop band Sparks in 1971, which was renamed from Halfnelson. He is also the co-founder of Lil' Beethoven Records.
Russell Craig Mael was born on October 5, 1948, in Los Angeles, California. The Mael brothers grew up in Pacific Palisades - a relatively affluent suburb of Los Angeles - with their father, Meyer Mael (of Russian and Austrian Jewish descent), who was a graphic designer and caricaturist for the Hollywood Citizen-News, and their mother, Miriam (née Moskowitz), a librarian. After being educated at Palisades High School (where Russell, in the "Class of '65" alongside Michael Medved and David Wallechinsky, played as quarterback for the Palisades High School Dolphins), both brothers enrolled at UCLA; Ron began a course in Cinema and Graphic Arts in 1963 while Russell studied Theater Arts and Filmmaking between 1966–1968.
Well known for his wide vocal range, Russell's most notable vocal trait is a far-reaching falsetto, especially evident on songs such as "Equator" from Sparks' Kimono My House album. He is also known for his flamboyant and hyperactive stage presence which contrasted sharply with Ron's deadpan scowling.
He has recorded 22 albums with his band, Sparks. The band has a cult following around the world and are best known for the song "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us" which reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
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