Barry Sparks
| Barry Sparks | |
|---|---|
 B'z bassist | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | USA |
| Genres | Glam metal, Heavy metal, Hard rock, Rock, Blues, Jazz |
| Years | 1989–Present |
| Website | http://www.barrysparks.com |
Barry Sparks (born June 20, 1968, in Lucasville, Ohio). Former Bass player for Yngwie Malmsteen, UFO, Dokken, and Ted Nugent. Currently he is touring with B'z and contributes to their albums.
General
Describing himself as one of the biggest KISS freaks in the world, Barry got his first guitar at the age of ten. Shortly after he started playing bass to jam with his brother.
Career
Sparks professional career began 1989 when he moved to L.A. Even thought the whole Los Angeles scene was dieing he managed to set his foot into some major projects.
The early years
His first major breakthrough came 1994 with joining Yngwie Malmsteen for the album The Seventh Sign' and the tour. The following year Barry toured with Malsteem that has released 'Magnum Opus'. Those two years marked the beginning of a dream that came to life.
In 1996 he hooked up with 'The Michael Schenker Group' and recorded 'Written In The Sand' with them. Shortly after they started touring and two live albums were recorded.
While being with TMSG he met Shane Gaalaas with which he later reunited for many occasions.
After his tours with 'The Michael Schenker Group' Sparks joint the pop-singer Billie Myers. 1998 her big hit 'Kiss The Rain' became quite successful. Sparks joined many radio interviews and live gigs. One of the most memorable gigs was in Europe where Myers and Barry played with Bob Dylan.
The next three years, 1999 - 2001, he rejoined The Micheal Schenker Group and was reunited with his longtime rhythm brother Shane Gaalaas for the occasional album and toured with ex-Scorpion guitarist Uli Jon Roth.
His personal highlights from that time were playing with Dokken in 2001, and touring with Whitesnake and The Scorpions.
With B'z
His first mentioned contribute to B'z is dated to 2008 for contributing to their Live Gym and Single "BURN -Fumetsu no Face-" and their Home Video B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2008 -GLORY DAYS-
Since then he was a regular to Live Gyms and albums.
Solo Career
In 2004 Barry Sparks released his solo Album 'Can't Look Back', All Vocals, Guitars, & Basses were played by Barry himself.
Jim Pavett joint to play drum Drums, except for Track 1,2,7,12, & 14 where his good friend Shane Gaalaas played Drums.
Can't Look Back
- Between The Sun And Moon
- Long Time Coming
- Simple Plan
- Breathe
- A Soul For Sale
- Mexico
- Fooled Again
- Can't Look Back
- You And Me
- She's The One
- Liberty
- Dear Father
- Into The Sun
- Something