Sparmac

Sparmac (Sparmac Productions) was an Australian independent record production company and recording label of the early 1970s, best known for its association with the successful Australian rock band Daddy Cool.

The company was established ca. 1969 by radio DJ (and former Kommotion host) Ken Sparkes, and John McDonald, who was then the owner of popular Melbourne record store The Disc Shop, in Bourke Street. The company name was taken from the combination of their surnames.

Rick Springfield released his debut solo single "Speak to the Sky" on the label. The song was a major hit in Australia, reaching #5 on the Go-Set national chart in January 1972[1] and it became his first hit in the USA, reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot 100[2]

As well as acting as the label's producer, Robie Porter himself released three solo singles on Sparmac: "Gemini" / "He Is Not Me" (Aug. 1970), "Santa Claus" / "Funky Version" (Dec. 1970) and a cover of the Joe Cocker-Chris Stainton song "Try to Find More Love (There Must be a Reason)" / "Empty" (March 1971). Other notable Sparmac singles include:

  • "Golden Miles" / "The Gully" (1971) by noted progressive rock band Healing Force, rated by Australian rock historian Ian McFarlane as the greatest Australian progressive rock recording of the early 1970s[3]
  • "Ongo Bongo Man" (1972) by local super-group Gerry & The Joy Band, fronted by former Loved Ones singer Gerry Humphrys, with an all-star backing group that included most of Daddy Cool
  • "Feelings" / "Young Man's Lament" (1971) the debut single by the short-lived soft rock duo Frieze, consisting of Darryl Cotton and Beeb Birtles, both of whom were also former members of Zoot.[4]

References
  1. Poparchives - Go-Set Australian Charts, 15 January 1972. Retrieved 8 March 2013
  2. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Rick Springfield'", Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop (Allen & Unwin, Sydney, ISBN 1-86508-072-1)
  3. Ian McFarlane, "Healing Force", Encyclopedia of Australian Rock & Pop, (Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1999, ISBN 1-86508-072-1)
  4. Hank B. Facer, "Sparmac Records Discography", Museum of Independent Record Labels
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