The Sparkles
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1957 in Levelland, Texas, United States |
| Defunct | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Levelland , United States |
Area served | West Texas, Austin, California |
Key people | Stanley Smith, Carl Huckeby, Bob Donnell, Johnny Waller, Jesse Ballew, Guy Ballew, Gary Blakey, Charlie Hatchett, Harold "Lucky" Floyd, Bobby Smith, Donnie Roberts, Don Settle, Louie Holt, Jimmy Marriott, Gary P. Nunn, Steve Weisberg |
| Products | Singles and EPs (including "No Friend of Mine", "Hipsville 29 B. C.", "The Hip") |
The Sparkles were a garage rock group originating from Levelland, Texas, active between 1957 and 1972. Their most recognized formation, which existed from 1965 to 1967, produced the singles "No Friend of Mine" and "Hipsville 29 B. C."
History
The initial ensemble of The Sparkles included Stanley Smith and Carl Huckeby on guitars, Bob Donnell playing bass, Johnny Waller on piano, brothers Jesse and Guy Balew handling saxophone and vocals, along with Gary Blakey on drums. Their debut recording session in 1958, overseen by producer Norman Petty, was never released. After a brief breakup, the band reunited featuring Blakey on drums, Hatchett and Smith on guitars, and Don Settle covering bass and vocals.
Further lineup adjustments introduced drummer Harold "Lucky" Floyd, bassist Bobby Smith, and guitarist Donnie Roberts; meanwhile, Hatchett departed to establish The Raiders with Blakey. This third incarnation gained traction performing in clubs across west Texas but ultimately disbanded due to internal disagreements. Floyd and Smith then assembled a fourth lineup by bringing in Louie Holt, Gary P. Nunn, and drummer Jimmy Marriott—this version was notable for having two drummers.
The band caught the attention of Nashville producers Larry Parks and Jay Turnbow who signed them to Hickory Records, resulting in the 1966 release of "The Hip," which became a regional success in Austin. Additional songs such as "Something That You Said" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" were recorded at Tommy Allsup's Westex Studio located in Odessa, Texas. In 1967, sessions in Nashville yielded the tracks "No Friend of Mine" and "Hipsville 29 B. C."
Around 1968, after Nunn and Holt exited the group, Floyd, Smith, and Marriott relocated to California where they adopted the name Pearly Gate and appeared on the television show Judd, for the Defense. They eventually returned to Austin to revive The Sparkles with guitarist Steve Weisberg, who would later become part of The John Denver Band.
The band ultimately disbanded in 1972; Floyd went on to join Red Wilder Blue based in California. Music historians often regard the fourth lineup as The Sparkles’ most influential period due to their prominent singles.
Several compilations have featured The Sparkles’ recordings: "The U.T." appears on Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 17; "I Want to Be Free" is included on Turds On A Bum Ride, Vol. 1; while "Hipsville 29 B. C." can be found on both Mayhem & Psychosis, Vol. 2 and Garage Beat '66, Vol. 1. Their hallmark track "No Friend of Mine" has been featured on major collections such as Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, Pebbles, Volume 1, Songs We Taught The Fuzztones, Uptight Tonight: Ultimate 60's Garage Collection, Acid Dreams: Testament, Trash Box, Best of Pebbles, Vol. 1, and Ear-Piercing Punk.
Band members
- Guy Ballew – vocals (original lineup)
- Jesse Ballew – saxophone (original lineup)
- Gary Blakey – drums (first and second lineups)
- Bob Donnell – bass (original lineup)
- Carl Huckeby – guitar (original lineup)
- Stanley Smith – guitar (from first through third lineups)
- Johnny Waller – piano (original lineup)
- Charlie Hatchett – guitar (second lineup)
- Harold "Lucky" Floyd – drums, vocals (third through fifth lineups)
- Donnie Roberts – guitar (third lineup)
- Don Settle – bass, vocals (second lineup)
- Bobby Smith – bass, vocals (third through fifth lineups)
- Louie Holt – guitar (fourth lineup)
- Jimmy Marriott – drums (fourth and fifth lineups)
- Gary P. Nunn – guitar (fourth lineup)
- Steve Weisberg – guitar (fifth lineup)
Singles
- "The U.T." / "He Can't Love You" (Caron 94) 1962
- "The Hip" / "Oh Girls, Girls" (Hickory 1364; Triola TD 311) 1966
- "Something That You Said" / "Daddy Gonna Put the Hurt on You" (Hickory 1390) 1966
- "Jack and the Beanstalk" / "Oh Girls, Girls" (Hickory 1406) 1966
- "The Hip" / "Jack and the Beanstalk" (Triola TD 323) 1966
- "No Friend of Mine" / "First Forget (What Has Made You Blue)" (Hickory 1443) 1967
- "Hipsville 29 B. C." / "I Want to Be Free" (Hickory 1474; Festival SPX 10) 1967–68
EPs
- No Friend of Mine (Sundazed SEP 176) 2005