Ken Sparkes (born 20 July 1940) was an Australian radio presenter, television personality, actor, singer, host, disc jockey and voice-over artist. In the late 1950s, while working as a DJ at 2MG Mudgee, and later at 2GB Sydney, Sparkes began recording rock and country songs for Festival Records, including ''I Remember Christmas at Home'' (1959) backed by The New Notes and The Band-Its and ''Ride Wide'' (planned release in 1960 but never saw the light of day). By the mid 1960s Sparkes had taken over the night time slot on 3UZ Melbourne, which was then the dominant radio force in that city. He performed as an actor, singer and host on many pop and late-night Australian shows including Bandstand, Hi Fi Club, Kommotion, Australian Pop Music Awards, Homicide, Bellbird and The Johnny O’ Keefe Show.
In 1965 under the alias K.J.S he released a version of the Jesse Stone track ''Don't Let Go'', backed by popular Melbourne band The Strangers. The song did not chart but has been praised as one of the best in the DJs on Disc genre. In 1967, Sparkes released a single, featuring "Lonely Weekends" by Charlie Rich on the A side, and the Chiffons song, "One Fine Day", written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, on the B side. In 1969, Sparkes co-founded the record label Sparmac. One of its first signings was the group Daddy Cool, whose first single, "Eagle Rock", was a #1 smash hit, and whose debut album 'Daddy Who? Daddy Cool!' was the biggest-selling Australian pop LP ever released up to that time. The label also launched the career of Rick Springfield, Healing Force and Gerry & The Joy Band. Sparkes won numerous international and Australian radio & TV awards including gold medals at the New York Radio Festival, Hollywood Broadcasters Awards & Australia's Rawards (Australian Commercial Radio Awards). Sparkes died in 2016.
''I Remember Christmas At Home'' 1959 Festival
''Don't Let Go / What Have I Got Of My Own'' 1965 Parlophone
''One Fine Day (#86) / Lonely Weekends'' 1967 Parlophone
'Songs & Poems Of Australia' [with The Hawking Brothers and Terry McDermott] 1979 Harbour
References
Ken Sparkes - Wikipedia
