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Sweet (band)

Sweet, on the cover of their 1974 Desolation Boulevard LP. From left to right: Andy Scott, Steve Priest, Brian Connolly, & Mick Tucker.

Sweet (referred to as "The Sweet" on one album) were a popular British rock group of the 1970s.

Although Sweet were largely known for their Glam Rock image and several teenage anthem top 40 singles, they released many albums throughout a 10 year career. At their peak in the 1970s, Sweet had sold 50 million records worldwide. Such was their domination of the charts in Europe that the band had eight no.1 singles in Germany with pop orientated tunes as "Co Co", "Little Willy", "Wig Wam Bam" before the success continued with the rock anthems "Blockbuster", "Hellraiser", "Ballroom Blitz", "Teenage Rampage" and "Fox On The Run". Worldwide, Sweet achieved 16 consecutive top 40 hit singles during 1971-1978.

The classic Sweet line-up consisted of vocalist Brian Connolly, drummer Mick Tucker, bassist Steve Priest, and guitarist Andy Scott. Sweet are perhaps best remembered for their glam stage clothing - glitter and platform boots and makeup - practically defining the camp extreme of the glam rock look. Scott would later say it only happened because they needed an excuse to meet Top of the Pops dancers Pan's People and reasoned that going to the make-up room was a good method of doing so.

History

Sweet's origins go back to 1965, with U.K. pop band Wainwright's Gentlemen, which included drummer Mick Tucker and vocalist Ian Gillan. Gillan quit in May 1965 to join Episode Six, and later, Deep Purple. Gillan's replacement was vocalist Brian Connolly. Tucker and Connolly remained with the band until 1968.

In 1968, Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker left Wainwright's Gentlemen to form another band. They recruited a bass guitarist/lead vocalist named Steve Priest, from a local band called "The Countdowns". Along with a guitarist named Gordon Fairminer, the band was called "Sweetshop". Gordon Fairminer's stay was brief and he was replaced by Frank Torpy. It didn't take long for Sweetshop to develop a following on the pub circuit and as a result were signed to the Fontana Label. At the time another UK band released a single under the same name "Sweetshop", hence the band finally shortened the name to "Sweet". Sweet's debut single was titled "Slow Motion". This single failed to chart. Sweet were released from their contract and Frank Torpy decided to leave the band.

In 1969, a new guitarist named Mick Stewart joined the group. Sweet signed a new record contract with EMI's Parlophone Label. Three more bubblegum singles were released, "Lollipop Man", "All You'll Ever Get From Me", and "Get on The Line", which all failed to chart. Stewart then left and was replaced by ex-Elastic Band guitarist Andy Scott.

With the new line-up now in place, a management deal was secured with a newly formed and unknown song writing team of Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Phil Wainman was the executive producer. This management deal also included a worldwide (except USA) record contract with RCA.

Sweet initially attempted to combined various musical influences, including bubblegum groups such as the Archies, with more rock orientated groups such as The Who, and The Beatles. This fusion of pop and hard rock would remain a central trademark of Sweet's music.

In March 1971, Sweet's "Funny Funny" single became their first international hit, climbing to number one on many of the world's charts. "Co Co" was the next single issued, which outsold "Funny Funny". The next single, "Alexander Graham Bell" was only a minor hit. Their first LP, titled "Funny How Sweet Coco Can Be", was released towards the end of 1971 but failed to chart. As the LP faded into obscurity, Sweet found themselves being labelled as nothing but a top 40 singles band.

In September 1972, "Wig Wam Bam" was released. Although this single remained largely true to the formula of Sweet's previous hits, the vocals and instruments were stronger and more purposeful than on the previous singles. It was in many ways, a transition single, paving the way as it did for the change of musical emphasis that came with "Blockbuster", the Sweet's first record of 1973 which quickly reached no.1.

As the group's popularity grew, Sweet put in a heavy schedule of U.K. and European TV promotional appearances, including numerous Top Of The Pops and Supersonic slots, and soon picked up an large teenage audience. The band capitalised on the Glam explosion, rivalling Gary Glitter, T. Rex, Queen, Wizzard, and Slade for outrageous stage clothing.

From 1971 to 1974, the Sweet worked with Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who also wrote at the time for Mud and Suzi Quatro. The duo penned the majority of Sweet's early big hit singles. Sweet started to take the song writing reins from the 1974 "Sweet Fanny Adams" album onwards, ironically giving Sweet their first top 40 chart album and proving that beneath all the glamour there was a heavy rock band of considerable talent.

Many fans consider that the 1974 "Sweet Fanny Adams" album was the first indication of the band's ability to write apart from Chinn and Chapman. Indeed, Chinn and Chapman only contributed two songs on this album. After late 1974, Sweet wrote their own material on all single and album releases.

The "Sweet Fanny Adams" album also featured highly compressed high-pitched backing vocal harmonies, which was a trend that continued on all of Sweet's subsequent albums. Sweet, and fellow U.K. band Queen, were both recognised as one of the main exponents of high-pitched harmonies during the 1970s.

A second album was released during 1974, called "Desolation Boulevard". Sweet had also gained public praise from The Who's guitarist, Pete Townshend. Sweet also frequently cited The Who as being one of their main influences. Unfortunately, in June of 1974 Brian Connnolly was attacked prior to the group going on as support to The Who at Charlton Athletics' Football Ground ‘The Valley’, and had to take time out from singing as his throat was badly bruised.

In 1974, Sweet dropped their Glam image in favour of a more conventional hard rock appearance. Sweet also now concentrated on proving their musical talents on self-written hard rock/pop album tracks.

In 1975, Sweet's first self-written and produced single, "Fox on the Run", was released worldwide and instantly became their biggest selling hit, going to number one on many of the world's charts.

During 1976, Sweet attempted to gain popularity in America by promoting their "Give Us A Wink" album with a heavy schedule of over 50 concert dates. During one appearance, Sweet played "All Right Now" with Ritchie Blackmore in a tribute to mark the death of Free guitarist Paul Kossoff.

The 1976 and 1977 years featured Sweet as an album orientated heavy metal pop act. Albums such as "Give Us a Wink", and "Off the Record", were undoubtedly Sweet's heaviest studio albums.

Sweet split from RCA in late 1977. The first album for new label Polydor, "Level Headed", found Sweet experimenting by combining rock and classical music, which was an approach not dissimilar to U.K. band ELO. Sweet undertook a successful British tour in early 1978. "Love is Like Oxygen" was their last UK top 10 hit in 1978.

In 1979, Brian Connolly left the band under acrimonious circumstances and neither he nor the band fully recovered. Brian was particularly suffering from the effects of substantial alcohol intake. Brian suffered cardiac arrests at the height of his excess.

Before Brian Connolly announced his departure in February 1979, his vocals were erased from the recorded material for the ensuing "Cut Above The Rest" album and Sweet continued on as a trio, with Scott and Priest now both handling lead vocals. Keyboard player Gary Moberley completed the four-piece line-up. Three studio albums were recorded between 1979 and 1982. Sweet finally disbanded in 1982.

In 1988, Connolly, Scott, Priest, and Tucker briefly re-formed to record music for the first time in seven years. Some re-worked studio versions of "Action", and "Ballroom Blitz" were recorded in Los Angeles.

In 1990, all four members were again re-united. This time for the promotion of a video release titled "Sweet's Ballroom Blitz". This UK release, which contained UK television performances from the 1970s, including current-day interviews, was released at Tower Records, London.

Brian Connolly died from liver failure in 1997 having been content in his final years to appear in retrospective documentaries to demonstrate the damage he had inflicted upon himself.

Mick Tucker died in 2002 from leukaemia at the age of 54.

Andy Scott currently continues to tour under Andy Scott's Sweet. Steve Priest is now a Los Angeles session musician and recording engineer.

Discography

  • Gimme Dat Ding (one side only), 1971
  • Funny How Sweet Coco Can Be, 1971
  • The Sweet's Biggest hits, 1972
  • Sweet Fanny Adams, 1974
  • Desolation Boulevard, 1974
  • The Sweet Singles Album, 1975 (released in Australia/NZ)
  • Strung Up (Double Album), 1975
  • Give Us A Wink, 1976
  • Off The Record, 1977
  • Level Headed, 1978
  • Cut Above The Rest, 1979
  • Water's Edge, 1980
  • Identity Crisis, 1982

Hit singles

  • 1971 "Funny Funny" #13 UK
  • 1971 "Co-Co" #2 UK
  • 1971 "Alexander Graham Bell" #31 UK
  • 1972 "Poppa Joe" #10 UK
  • 1972 "Little Willy" #4 UK; #3 US (1973 release)
  • 1972 "Wig-Wam Bam" #4 UK
  • 1973 "Blockbuster" #1 UK
  • 1973 "Hell Raiser" #2 UK
  • 1973 "The Ballroom Blitz" #2 UK; #5 US (1975 release)
  • 1974 "Teenage Rampage" #2 UK
  • 1974 "The Sixteens" #9 UK
  • 1974 "Turn it Down" #41 UK
  • 1974 "Peppermint Twist" #1 Australia
  • 1975 "Fox on the Run" #2 UK; #5 US (1976 release)
  • 1975 "Action" #15 UK; #20 US (1976 release)
  • 1976 "The Lies in Your Eyes" #35 UK; #5 Germany
  • 1976 "Lost Angels" #13 Germany
  • 1977 "Fever of Love" #9 Germany
  • 1977 "Stairway To The Stars" #15 Germany
  • 1978 "Love is Like Oxygen" #9 UK; #8 US; #10 Germany
  • 1978 "California Nights" #23 Germany

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Steve Priest is now a Los Angeles session musician and recording engineer. He left the band due to dissatisfaction with Kralle and Remmler over financial matters, leading to the complete breakup of Trio in 1985. Andy Scott currently continues to tour under Andy Scott's Sweet. The corresponding soundtrack is the album Whats the Password, however, drummer Peter Behrens does not perform in any of the songs, despite appearing on the album's cover. Mick Tucker died in 2002 from leukaemia at the age of 54. However, the movie flopped miserably; even avid Trio fan Matthias Klein said, "[the members of] Trio are not actors". Brian Connolly died from liver failure in 1997 having been content in his final years to appear in retrospective documentaries to demonstrate the damage he had inflicted upon himself. In the movie, three people (played by Trio) kill doubles of themselves as part of a twisted scam to gain riches.

This UK release, which contained UK television performances from the 1970s, including current-day interviews, was released at Tower Records, London. They produced a movie called "Drei gegen Drei", meaning "Three Against Three". This time for the promotion of a video release titled "Sweet's Ballroom Blitz". All of these songs except the first have a corresponding German version, which sometimes differs considerably. In 1990, all four members were again re-united. Its most notable songs, other than Da Da Da, are probably "Broken Hearts for You and Me", "Boom Boom", "Hearts are Trump", and "Anna Letmein Letmeout". Some re-worked studio versions of "Action", and "Ballroom Blitz" were recorded in Los Angeles. For instance, the German version of "Da da da" was #2 on the charts.

In 1988, Connolly, Scott, Priest, and Tucker briefly re-formed to record music for the first time in seven years. However, in its time, Trio had some popularity in Germany. Sweet finally disbanded in 1982. The band never got very popular outside of Germany, and are largely forgotten even for their one-hit wonder. Three studio albums were recorded between 1979 and 1982. Rather, their songs were bare-boned to show how bare the bones actually are. Before Brian Connolly announced his departure in February 1979, his vocals were erased from the recorded material for the ensuing "Cut Above The Rest" album and Sweet continued on as a trio, with Scott and Priest now both handling lead vocals. Keyboard player Gary Moberley completed the four-piece line-up. This simplicity was not simply due to an inability to sing or play well; Remmler's later solo career shows that he was capable of much more complicated music, and Kralle has demonstrated considerable ability as a guitarist in other ventures.

Brian suffered cardiac arrests at the height of his excess. Bass was used very infrequently until their later songs. Brian was particularly suffering from the effects of substantial alcohol intake. For this reason, many of their songs are restricted to drums, guitar, vocals, and just one or maybe two other instruments, if any at all. In 1979, Brian Connolly left the band under acrimonious circumstances and neither he nor the band fully recovered. Trio's main principle was to remove almost all the polish from their songs, and to use the simplest practical structures (most of their songs were three-chord songs). "Love is Like Oxygen" was their last UK top 10 hit in 1978. However, Trio preferred the name Neue Deutsche Fröhlichkeit, which means "New German Cheerfulness", to describe their music. At that time, as now, popular songs were based on extremely simple structures that were simply polished.

Sweet undertook a successful British tour in early 1978. It was a product of the Neue Deutsche Welle (or NDW). band ELO. However, to understand Trio one must understand its context. The first album for new label Polydor, "Level Headed", found Sweet experimenting by combining rock and classical music, which was an approach not dissimilar to U.K. The song is often given as an example of a song that is extremely repetitive or devoid of creative talent. Sweet split from RCA in late 1977. By far the band is most noted for the aforementioned "Da Da Da".

Albums such as "Give Us a Wink", and "Off the Record", were undoubtedly Sweet's heaviest studio albums. The re-release had some changes: two songs were added and the album was digitally remastered. The 1976 and 1977 years featured Sweet as an album orientated heavy metal pop act. The 1997 CD of TRIO and Error was also released as Da Da Da in the United States, in response to the 1997 US Volkswagen commercial that featured the song "Da Da Da I Don't Love You You Don't Love Me Aha Aha Aha", often contracted to simply "Da Da Da". During one appearance, Sweet played "All Right Now" with Ritchie Blackmore in a tribute to mark the death of Free guitarist Paul Kossoff. It should be noted that there are many versions of Bye Bye (marked with different advertisements on the cover); versions outside of Germany are called TRIO and Error and feature no advertisements. During 1976, Sweet attempted to gain popularity in America by promoting their "Give Us A Wink" album with a heavy schedule of over 50 concert dates. The band also produced a number of singles.

In 1975, Sweet's first self-written and produced single, "Fox on the Run", was released worldwide and instantly became their biggest selling hit, going to number one on many of the world's charts. CD releases:. Sweet also now concentrated on proving their musical talents on self-written hard rock/pop album tracks. Major albums (in order):. In 1974, Sweet dropped their Glam image in favour of a more conventional hard rock appearance. It consisted of Stephan Remmler, Kralle Krawinkel, and Peter Behrens. Unfortunately, in June of 1974 Brian Connnolly was attacked prior to the group going on as support to The Who at Charlton Athletics' Football Ground ‘The Valley’, and had to take time out from singing as his throat was badly bruised.
Trio (sometimes written TRIO), was a German band that formed in 1980 and disbanded in 1985.

Sweet also frequently cited The Who as being one of their main influences. TRIO and Error / Da Da Da. Sweet had also gained public praise from The Who's guitarist, Pete Townshend. 5 Jahre Zuviel ("Five years too many", compilation). A second album was released during 1974, called "Desolation Boulevard". TRIO. band Queen, were both recognised as one of the main exponents of high-pitched harmonies during the 1970s. Whats the Password.

Sweet, and fellow U.K. Bye Bye. The "Sweet Fanny Adams" album also featured highly compressed high-pitched backing vocal harmonies, which was a trend that continued on all of Sweet's subsequent albums. TRIO Live im Frühjahr '82 ("Live in Spring '82"). After late 1974, Sweet wrote their own material on all single and album releases. TRIO. Indeed, Chinn and Chapman only contributed two songs on this album.

Many fans consider that the 1974 "Sweet Fanny Adams" album was the first indication of the band's ability to write apart from Chinn and Chapman. Sweet started to take the song writing reins from the 1974 "Sweet Fanny Adams" album onwards, ironically giving Sweet their first top 40 chart album and proving that beneath all the glamour there was a heavy rock band of considerable talent. The duo penned the majority of Sweet's early big hit singles. From 1971 to 1974, the Sweet worked with Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who also wrote at the time for Mud and Suzi Quatro.

Rex, Queen, Wizzard, and Slade for outrageous stage clothing. The band capitalised on the Glam explosion, rivalling Gary Glitter, T. and European TV promotional appearances, including numerous Top Of The Pops and Supersonic slots, and soon picked up an large teenage audience. As the group's popularity grew, Sweet put in a heavy schedule of U.K.

It was in many ways, a transition single, paving the way as it did for the change of musical emphasis that came with "Blockbuster", the Sweet's first record of 1973 which quickly reached no.1. Although this single remained largely true to the formula of Sweet's previous hits, the vocals and instruments were stronger and more purposeful than on the previous singles. In September 1972, "Wig Wam Bam" was released. Their first LP, titled "Funny How Sweet Coco Can Be", was released towards the end of 1971 but failed to chart. As the LP faded into obscurity, Sweet found themselves being labelled as nothing but a top 40 singles band.

The next single, "Alexander Graham Bell" was only a minor hit. "Co Co" was the next single issued, which outsold "Funny Funny". In March 1971, Sweet's "Funny Funny" single became their first international hit, climbing to number one on many of the world's charts. This fusion of pop and hard rock would remain a central trademark of Sweet's music.

Sweet initially attempted to combined various musical influences, including bubblegum groups such as the Archies, with more rock orientated groups such as The Who, and The Beatles. This management deal also included a worldwide (except USA) record contract with RCA. Phil Wainman was the executive producer. With the new line-up now in place, a management deal was secured with a newly formed and unknown song writing team of Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman.

Stewart then left and was replaced by ex-Elastic Band guitarist Andy Scott. Sweet signed a new record contract with EMI's Parlophone Label. Three more bubblegum singles were released, "Lollipop Man", "All You'll Ever Get From Me", and "Get on The Line", which all failed to chart. In 1969, a new guitarist named Mick Stewart joined the group. Sweet were released from their contract and Frank Torpy decided to leave the band.

This single failed to chart. Sweet's debut single was titled "Slow Motion". At the time another UK band released a single under the same name "Sweetshop", hence the band finally shortened the name to "Sweet". It didn't take long for Sweetshop to develop a following on the pub circuit and as a result were signed to the Fontana Label.

Gordon Fairminer's stay was brief and he was replaced by Frank Torpy. Along with a guitarist named Gordon Fairminer, the band was called "Sweetshop". They recruited a bass guitarist/lead vocalist named Steve Priest, from a local band called "The Countdowns". In 1968, Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker left Wainwright's Gentlemen to form another band.

Tucker and Connolly remained with the band until 1968. Gillan's replacement was vocalist Brian Connolly. Gillan quit in May 1965 to join Episode Six, and later, Deep Purple. pop band Wainwright's Gentlemen, which included drummer Mick Tucker and vocalist Ian Gillan.

Sweet's origins go back to 1965, with U.K. Scott would later say it only happened because they needed an excuse to meet Top of the Pops dancers Pan's People and reasoned that going to the make-up room was a good method of doing so. Sweet are perhaps best remembered for their glam stage clothing - glitter and platform boots and makeup - practically defining the camp extreme of the glam rock look. The classic Sweet line-up consisted of vocalist Brian Connolly, drummer Mick Tucker, bassist Steve Priest, and guitarist Andy Scott.

Worldwide, Sweet achieved 16 consecutive top 40 hit singles during 1971-1978. Such was their domination of the charts in Europe that the band had eight no.1 singles in Germany with pop orientated tunes as "Co Co", "Little Willy", "Wig Wam Bam" before the success continued with the rock anthems "Blockbuster", "Hellraiser", "Ballroom Blitz", "Teenage Rampage" and "Fox On The Run". At their peak in the 1970s, Sweet had sold 50 million records worldwide. Although Sweet were largely known for their Glam Rock image and several teenage anthem top 40 singles, they released many albums throughout a 10 year career.

Sweet (referred to as "The Sweet" on one album) were a popular British rock group of the 1970s. 1978 "California Nights" #23 Germany. 1978 "Love is Like Oxygen" #9 UK; #8 US; #10 Germany. 1977 "Stairway To The Stars" #15 Germany.

1977 "Fever of Love" #9 Germany. 1976 "Lost Angels" #13 Germany. 1976 "The Lies in Your Eyes" #35 UK; #5 Germany. 1975 "Action" #15 UK; #20 US (1976 release).

1975 "Fox on the Run" #2 UK; #5 US (1976 release). 1974 "Peppermint Twist" #1 Australia. 1974 "Turn it Down" #41 UK. 1974 "The Sixteens" #9 UK.

1974 "Teenage Rampage" #2 UK. 1973 "The Ballroom Blitz" #2 UK; #5 US (1975 release). 1973 "Hell Raiser" #2 UK. 1973 "Blockbuster" #1 UK.

1972 "Wig-Wam Bam" #4 UK. 1972 "Little Willy" #4 UK; #3 US (1973 release). 1972 "Poppa Joe" #10 UK. 1971 "Alexander Graham Bell" #31 UK.

1971 "Co-Co" #2 UK. 1971 "Funny Funny" #13 UK. Identity Crisis, 1982. Water's Edge, 1980.

Cut Above The Rest, 1979. Level Headed, 1978. Off The Record, 1977. Give Us A Wink, 1976.

Strung Up (Double Album), 1975. The Sweet Singles Album, 1975 (released in Australia/NZ). Desolation Boulevard, 1974. Sweet Fanny Adams, 1974.

The Sweet's Biggest hits, 1972. Funny How Sweet Coco Can Be, 1971. Gimme Dat Ding (one side only), 1971.