Sweet (band)

Steve Priest is now a Los Angeles session musician and recording engineer. Current TOTO members:. Andy Scott currently continues to tour under Andy Scott's Sweet. Toto IV went multi-platinum and earned several Grammy Awards including Album of the Year. Mick Tucker died in 2002 from leukaemia at the age of 54. The next two albums Hydra and Turn Back had little success but Toto IV released in 1982 featured the number one hit "Africa" as well as the top ten single "Rosanna". 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. Toto released their self-titled debut album in October 1978, selling two million copies based on their top ten hit "Hold the Line".

This UK release, which contained UK television performances from the 1970s, including current-day interviews, was released at Tower Records, London. They did not get known first on the club circuit as nearly all bands do prior to being signed by a label. Their reputations in the studio were enough. This time for the promotion of a video release titled "Sweet's Ballroom Blitz". Composed entirely of seasoned studio musicians, Toto seemed to come out of nowhere. In 1990, all four members were again re-united. Toto was formed in Los Angeles in 1978 (see 1978 in music) with the following members:. Some re-worked studio versions of "Action", and "Ballroom Blitz" were recorded in Los Angeles. Toto is an American pop/rock band which had their greatest commercial success in the 1980s.

In 1988, Connolly, Scott, Priest, and Tucker briefly re-formed to record music for the first time in seven years. 2003 Live in Amsterdam. Sweet finally disbanded in 1982. 2002 Through the Looking Glass. Three studio albums were recorded between 1979 and 1982. 1999 Mindfields. 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. 1998 Toto XX.

Brian suffered cardiac arrests at the height of his excess. 1995 Tambu. Brian was particularly suffering from the effects of substantial alcohol intake. 1992 Kingdom of Desire. In 1979, Brian Connolly left the band under acrimonious circumstances and neither he nor the band fully recovered. 1990 Past to Present 1977-1990 (compilation). "Love is Like Oxygen" was their last UK top 10 hit in 1978. 1988 The Seventh One.

Sweet undertook a successful British tour in early 1978. 1986 Fahrenheit. band ELO. 1984 Dune - OST. 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. 1984 Isolation. Sweet split from RCA in late 1977. 1982 Toto IV.

Albums such as "Give Us a Wink", and "Off the Record", were undoubtedly Sweet's heaviest studio albums. 1981 Turn Back. The 1976 and 1977 years featured Sweet as an album orientated heavy metal pop act. 1979 Hydra. During one appearance, Sweet played "All Right Now" with Ritchie Blackmore in a tribute to mark the death of Free guitarist Paul Kossoff. 1978 Toto. 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. Simon Philips - drums.

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. Mike Porcaro - bass. Sweet also now concentrated on proving their musical talents on self-written hard rock/pop album tracks. Bobby Kimball - vocals. In 1974, Sweet dropped their Glam image in favour of a more conventional hard rock appearance. Steve Lukather - guitar and vocals. 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. David Paich - vocals and keyboards.

Sweet also frequently cited The Who as being one of their main influences. Jeff Porcaro - drums. Sweet had also gained public praise from The Who's guitarist, Pete Townshend. David Hungate - bass. A second album was released during 1974, called "Desolation Boulevard". Steve Porcaro - keyboards. band Queen, were both recognised as one of the main exponents of high-pitched harmonies during the 1970s. Bobby Kimball - vocals.

Sweet, and fellow U.K. Steve Lukather - guitar and vocals. 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. David Paich - vocals and keyboards. After late 1974, Sweet wrote their own material on all single and album releases. 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.