Behind the Music
A Lifetime of Music
Sparky Lightning (June 7, 1962 – October 2, 1991), born Arnie Steinberg, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, choreographer, actor, filmmaker, luthier, and interior designer. A guitar virtuoso known for his genre-crossing work, and over the top live shows, Sparky is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. Sparky is known as a visionary and pioneer of the famous “80s sound”, often integrating a wide variety of styles, including rock, pop, R&B, new wave, funk, and psychedelia.
Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Sparky developed an interest in music at a young age. His first song, "You Make Me Juicy", was written at the age of six, soon signing a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 13, becoming one of pop music’s youngest icons to reach world infamy. With his debut album, “Check This Out” (1970), Sparky skyrocketed to the top of the charts in both the United States and United Kingdom. His debut reached such critical acclaim that he had to take a break from the entertainment industry to focus on his education. Sparky attended the San Francisco School of Art and Design, where he became close friends with a group of other musicians. By graduation in 1977, Sparky and his new band, “The McQueens” had established themselves in the local music scene and released their first debut album with We Are You Records, Cirrus Circus (1978), followed with their next three albums — Here Comes The Storm (1979), You’re My Sugar (1980), and Critical Mass (1981). Sparky gained critical success, prominently showcasing his raunchy lyrics as well as his blending of rock, dance, and funk. In 1982, he moved to New York City and officially began referring to his backup band as “The Bolts” and released "SATURDAY" (1982) and their self titled LP Sparky Lightning and The Bolts (1983), the soundtrack album to his successful short avant-garde film debut of the same name. It quickly became his most critically and commercially successful record, spending 25 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200. The film also won a runner up for the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score to Prince’s Purple Rain, the last to receive the award. However, after only their second album, Thunder Roll (1984), The Bolts disbanded and Sparky released his first solo album since 1970, Lightning (1985). He released three more solo albums before debuting The Nimbus Armada band in 1989.
In 1990, in the midst of a contractual dispute with We Are You Records, Sparky was forced to relinquish the rights to his records. He released one more record titled, The Spark (1990), before disappearing from the entertainment industry once again. Sparky never returned to create new content, rumored to have had a mental breakdown from the collapse of his music career. A few months before his death, Sparky burned all of his master tapes and took refuge on his ten-acre cabin estate and recording studio in the Poconos mountains with his wife, Tammy Florence. On October 2nd, 1991, at the age of 29, Sparky died of a heroin overdose while supposedly working on a new album, but never finished.
Early Life
Arnie Abraham Steinberg was born on June 7, 1962, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of steel worker, Reggie Steinberg, and bookstore owner, Meredith Steinberg. When he was only four years old, Arnie’s father was killed in a freak lightning accident while fixing a steel project for his company. Meredith was so distraught after the incident that she entered Arnie into music school at a young age to give him focus. Arnie was not fond of his name and wanted people to instead call him Sparky, an ode to his deceased father and a name which stuck throughout his childhood. Sparky said he was "born intoxicated" and had trouble focusing when he was young. He stated, "My mother told me that I would walk into walls and speak in melody constantly”, and one day he went to her and said, “Mom, I'm not going to walk into walls anymore,' and she said, 'Why?' and I said, 'Because an angel told me so.'"
Sparky attended Volney Junior High and then Central High School, where he played badminton, lacrosse, and baseball. He was a student at the Columbus Dance Theatre through the Urban Arts Program of Ohio Public Schools. He played on Central's junior varsity baseball team and continued to play baseball recreationally as a young adult. It wasn’t until Sparky was ten years old that he met songwriter and producer Jimmy Jam in 1970. Jimmy was so impressed with his musical talent that he took him under his wing and helped him launch his early music career.
Career
1970-1977: Beginnings and breakthrough – Check This Out
1977-1983: The McQueens – Cirrus Circus, Here Comes The Storm, You’re My Sugar, Critical Mass
1983-1985: The Bolts – SATURDAY, Sparky Lightning and The Bolts, and Thunder Roll
1985-1989: Solo again – Lightning, The Silver Lining, Ready or Not, and A Strong Wind
1989-1991: The Nimbus Armada and final years – The Spark
Awards and Nominations
Sparky Lightning sold over 120 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Academy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. He was also honored with special awards including the American Music Award for Achievement and of Merit, and the Billboard Icon Award.
Discography
· Check This Out (1970)
· Cirrus Circus (1978)
· Here Comes The Storm (1979)
· You’re My Sugar (1980)
· Critical Mass (1981)
· SATURDAY (1982)
· Sparky Lightning and The Bolts (1983)
· Thunder Roll (1984)
· Lightning (1985)
· The Silver Lining (1986)
· Ready or Not (1987)
· A Strong Wind (1988)
· The Spark (1990)
Filmography
Film:
1981, Hidden Gems, Role: Reggie, Director: Emilio Lapidus
1983, Sparky Lightning and The Bolts, Role: Himself, Director: Sparky Lightning
1984, Smoke and Mirrors, Role: Himself, Director: Sparky Lightning
1986, Light Shine Brighter in New York, Role: Himself, Director: Sparky Lightning
1987, Spark It Up, Role: Himself, Director: Sparky Lightning
Television:
1985, Cheers, Role: Spurlock, Notes: Season 4, Episode 6
1988, Magnum P.I., Role: Himself, Notes: Season 8, Episode 5
Tours
· The McQueens Tour (1977-78)
· Cirrus Circus Tour (1978-79)
· Here Comes The Storm Tour (1979-80)
· You’re My Sugar Tour (1980-81)
· Critical Mass Tour (1981)
· SATURDAY Tour (1982-83)
· Sparky Lightning and The Bolts Tour (1983-84)
· Thunder Roll Tour (1984-85)
· The Nimbus Armada Tour (1989-90)