The Sparks singer on shoplifting red liquorice as a child, a head-to-head with Godzilla, and underselling his life story
Born in California, Russell Mael, 76, and his brother, Ron, first recorded under the names the Urban Renewal Project and Halfnelson, before becoming Sparks in 1972. Two years later, they relocated to London and had a hit with their song This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us. More recently, they composed a radio opera, The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman, collaborated with Franz Ferdinand in supergroup FFS, and released a film, Annette, which won five César awards in 2022. Their 28th studio album is Mad! and their tour comes to the UK in June. Mael lives in California.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Signing away the rights to my life story to a major motion-picture company for a sum that I have since been told was way below the market rate.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
People not remembering who I am.
Describe yourself in three words
One handsome dude.
What would your superpower be?
The first pop singer capable of going head-to-head with Godzilla.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Too damn muscular.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
The 1956 Ford Thunderbird.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Cate Blanchett.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Not wanting to wear brand-new shoes outside for fear they will get dirty and won’t be brand-new any more.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A pearl diver in Japan.
What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
Is that the final mix?
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Watching way too many K-dramas.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Dichotomy” and “ratatouille”.
What is the worst job you’ve ever done?
Shucking oysters one summer in Nice.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
That Sparks predates the Beatles and it’s kind of all too obvious where they got a lot of their inspiration.
If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
The Japanese sumo wrestler Takayasu.
How often do you have sex?
Monday through Friday, four to six times daily. Then I spend Saturday and Sunday prepping for the next week.
What is the closest you’ve come to death?
Watching Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Watching all of Fellini’s movies one summer.
What has been your closest brush with the law?
Stealing red liquorice at the local candy shop in third grade. I asked myself: “Is it worth leading a life of crime at eight years old?” I responded: “Yes, it’s red liquorice, for God’s sake.”
What keeps you awake at night?
The morality of stealing that red liquorice.
Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Yes.
What happens when we die?
You have to go to the end of the line.
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