447. The Sparks

A rare case of an American band finding success in Europe yet virtually unknown in their own country, the Sparks were probably not a group designed to find success in America anyway. Looking like a Novelty act, Sparks was constantly reinventing their sound running the gauntlet of Glam Rock, New Wave, Synth Pop and Chamber Pop. Far more crafted than at first glance they were a key influence on many acts of the New Wave era. British acts are in the Hall, but as a rule they struck it big in the States. Despite their influence and British success, there really isn’t a lot of reason to think that an American band with virtually no American success will get in.