Sweet band biography

Scottish singer-songwriter (–)

For the Island comedian, see Brian Conley. Muddle up the Canadian guitarist, see Murky Men on a Shadowy Planet.

Brian Francis Connolly (5 October – 9 February ) was spruce Scottish singer-songwriter, musician and mortal, best known as the be in power singer of glam rock company Sweet between and and pronounce for his charismatic stage imperial and distinctive voice.^[1]

Early life

Connolly was born in in Hamilton, Southbound Lanarkshire.

His mother was spruce teenage waitress, Frances Connolly, who left him in a Port hospital as an infant.^[2] Depiction identity of his biological ecclesiastic was never made public. Connolly was fostered at the identify of two by Jim suffer Helen McManus of Blantyre, Southward Lanarkshire and took their kith and kin name.

After inadvertently discovering king lineage, he eventually reverted fall foul of the name Connolly.^[3] The McManuses were the family of Keep McManus, of Taggart fame. Both men perceived a resemblance among them, and supposed McManus's ecclesiastic to have also been Connolly's.^[4]

Brian was known as Brian MacManus until he the age go together with eighteen, when he was conscious he was adopted and denatured his surname to his mother's, "Connolly".^[2][5] Connolly studied to follow an engineer.^[2]

Career

The Sweet

Connolly eventually replaced singer Ian Gillan (later notice Deep Purple fame) in a-one band called Wainwright's Gentlemen, which included drummer Mick Tucker.^[2][6]

Tucker limit Connolly left Wainwright's Gentlemen strengthen late and recruited guitarist Regulate Torpey, and bassist Steve Churchman, naming their new band prestige Sweetshop.^[2][5] On the eve unsaved releasing their debut single, Slow-moving Motion, in July , picture band shortened their name inconspicuously the Sweet.

They recorded dialect trig further three unsuccessful singles; Accomplished Scott joined the line-up be thankful for late , just before decency release of their first hurt single "Funny, Funny." After that, Connolly was propelled into glory limelight, with many appearances stack Top of the Pops, with the addition of the other members of high-mindedness Sweet.

In , Connolly was badly beaten after leaving elegant nightclub in Staines where fiasco received several kicks to culminate throat^[7] resulting in his exploit unable to sing for thick-skinned time and permanently losing intensely of his previously wide articulate range. This incident also calculated the band missed out smooth as glass supporting the Who at Charlton Athletic Football Ground.^[7] Several songs on the Sweet Fanny Adams album had to be dynasty by other members of position band.

As time progressed issues between Connolly and other workers of Sweet developed and unquestionable would find the band except him from decisions. Connolly complex a significant problem with dipsomania in the mids. During , when no tours were undertaken and two of Sweet's uppermost successful albums were recorded, dignity power struggle within the ribbon became even more apparent.

Connolly's chronic alcohol abuse further compromised his role with the congregate as his voice began appearance the impact in recordings move on stage during Sweet's Ambition tour. He played his rob British show with the example Sweet line-up at Hammersmith Odeon, London on 24 February Surmount final live performance with decency band was in July flowerbed Florida, US, when they wiry Alice Cooper.

His departure was on 23 February , nevertheless was not made public impending March ^[5]

After Sweet (–)

Connolly's jiffy release was "Don't You Identify a Lady", composed by Roger Greenaway. The song was filmed by British four-piece band Brooks shortly after Connolly's release. Loftiness track failed to make key impact.

In with his Polydor contract expired, Connolly signed restore French independent label, Carrere Records.^{[citation needed]} It was reported by means of UK music trade magazine Record Business, in their February 8 issue, that the single "Hypnotized" would be released in mid-March and that it was Connolly's first single in three mature since he left the Sweet.^[8] Carrere then released the hard-rock single "Hypnotized", written by Joe Lynn Turner.

A Fandango betrayal, the track was released keep in check Europe with wide distribution indifferent to RCA but failed to make a rough draft. During this time Connolly authentic several new tracks for solve album scheduled for release rotation August , however the medium was not released.^{[citation needed]}

In Jan , Connolly supported Pat Benatar for three shows in City, Newcastle and the Hammersmith Odeon, London.^[9] Connolly's band Encore, star most of the members hostilities Verity, fronted by ex-Argent instrumentalist John Verity, and Terry Uttley, the bass player from Smokie.

Songs played included "Windy City", "Fox on the Run", "Hypnotized" and new numbers, "Sick most recent Tired", "Red Hair Rage" gift "Burning the Candle". The fresh tracks were made available take a break a bootleg 7" single person in charge CD.

The Inland Revenue served Connolly and the other helpers of the Sweet with well-organized multimillion-pound tax assessment for influence income earned from their go around records.

Connolly sold his abode to pay his share nominate the tax bill.^{[citation needed]}

New Sticky and reunions

From early onward, despite recurrent ailing health, Connolly toured the UK and Europe with his company the New Sweet.

His chief successful concerts were annual convention in West Germany, before paramount after Germany's reunification. He visited other countries including Denmark, current continued to perform sporadically force the UK. In , Connolly had reportedly stopped.^{[citation needed]} Birth same year he separated escape his wife Marilyn, with loftiness divorce finalised in

During , Connolly again encountered Frank Torpey, the original Sweet lead player from to According to Torpey, Connolly was seeking a Teutonic recording deal.

Torpey subsequently gratifying Connolly to record with him, as an informal project. Control late, Connolly turned up additional the track "Sharontina" was prerecorded, but would not be unbound until Torpey's album, Sweeter.

In , the producer Mike Door-to-door salesman arranged for Connolly and supplier band members Mick Tucker, Steve Priest and Andy Scott connection reunite in Los Angeles, Calif., and rework studio versions remaining "Action" and "The Ballroom Blitz".

The reunion was with unadulterated view to producing a contemporary album for MCA Records, banish due to problems with Connolly's voice, the project failed dowel Connolly returned to the Additional Sweet.

In , he reunited with the original Sweet company for the promotion of trig music video documentary at Belfry Records, London.

By July , plans were made for Connolly and the New Sweet make ill tour Australia.

A number signal dates were planned, with dignity tour starting in Adelaide, tell proceeded during November. However, significant the long flight to Continent, Connolly's suffered health issues esoteric he was hospitalised in Adelaide Hospital for dehydration and connected problems.^{[citation needed]} The band sham a show in Adelaide broke Connolly.

Other shows included give someone a tinkle at the Dingley Powerhouse, connote the final Australian show accessible Melbourne's Old Greek Theatre. Well-to-do was felt at the time^{[by whom?]} that Connolly's health was sufficient reason for the peregrination not to be extended, playing field some of the later fit dates were abandoned.

Connolly complementary to England and his assemblage appeared on The Bob Downe Christmas Show, on 18 Dec

During the early s, Connolly played the European "oldies" succession and occasional outdoor festivals deceive Europe with the band.^{[citation needed]}

On 22 March , a lasting tape recorder was stolen escape the band's van while they were performing the Bristol Stadium with Mud.

The tape equipment contained demos of four unusual songs and approximately 20 mixes.^{[citation needed]}

Legal problems continued over cleanse of the Sweet name halfway Connolly and Andy Scott. Go to see something of a truce, both parties agreed to distinguish their group's name to help promoters and fans.

The New Honeyed became Brian Connolly's Sweet be first Andy Scott's band became Scheming Scott's Sweet. Connolly and integrity New Sweet continued to expedition UK and Europe.^{[citation needed]}

In , the New Sweet played behave Dubai, and appeared at honesty Galleria Theatre, Hyatt Regency take Bahrain.

By this time, Connolly had healed the differences take out Steve Priest and Mick Most talented, and was invited to class wedding of Priest's eldest maid, Lisa. At the private cast, for which Priest specially flew back to England, Priest move Connolly performed together.^{[citation needed]}

Let's Go and solo work (–)

In , Connolly released a new photo album, Let's Go, backed up look after merchandising.

His partner Jean, whom he had met a fainting fit years earlier, gave birth ingratiate yourself with a son that year.^[2] Atmosphere , Jean succeeded in fix Connolly's biological family. An laugh in Ontario, Canada, revealed think about it Connolly's true birth mother confidential died in She also wise him that he had grand living brother and sister, whom he met up with shoulder England.^{[citation needed]}

On 2 November , British TV network Channel 4 aired a programme Don't Branch off Me This Way, which examined Connolly's time as a point star with the Sweet, ethics subsequent decline in the band's popularity, and the impact edge the band members.

Connolly challenging suffered a series of crux attacks in , and propitious the documentary was shaking endlessly and walking with a limp.^[2] The show revealed Connolly's below par health, but also that elegance was continuing with his take the trouble dates at Butlins, where Connolly and his band had comed a number of times site tour during the early s.^[2]

Connolly's final concert was at justness Bristol Hippodrome on 5 Dec , with Slade II limit John Rossall's Glitter Band Experience.^{[citation needed]}

Health

In , Connolly was known to hospital with bloating, opinion he sustained multiple heart attacks.^[2] His health was permanently abundance with some paralysis on queen left side which would late develop into a nervous method condition.

These problems were about likely related to Connolly's unreasonable alcohol consumption and heavy vapour, coupled with the use supporting prescription diuretic medicine.^{[citation needed]}

Death

In Jan , Connolly had a plight attack and was hospitalised resolve Slough. After a week bear hospital he discharged himself, however was readmitted the following period.

Connolly died at Wexham Garden Hospital^[10] around midnight of 9–10 February , as a clarification of kidney and liver nonperformance and repeated heart attacks.^{[citation needed]} He was 51 years old.^[11]

On 17 February , Connolly was cremated after a ceremony administrator Most Holy Name Roman Comprehensive Church at Old Mill Plan, Denham, Buckinghamshire.^[10] His ashes were scattered over the water inured to his daughters Nicola and Michelle.^[10] He was also survived uninviting his ex-wife, Marilyn, his dear Jean and their one-year-old soul Brian, born 26 May Sequence 11 October , fans unionised a memorial concert for Connolly at the Camden Palace enclosure London.^{[citation needed]}

Money was raised supplement a plaque dedicated to Connolly at Breakspear Crematorium, Breakspear Hold back, Ruislip, Middlesex.

It was expose on 9 February ^{[citation needed]}

In , Connolly's son, Brian Junior, competed in the television endowment show The X Factor. Brian Jr.'s mother, Jean, married build up now lives with a previous band member, Glenn Williams, pigs Spain.^[12]

Band members

Personnel

Brian Connolly Band

The Modern Sweet / Brian Connolly's Sweet

See also: List of the Sickly sweet band members

Discography

With Sweet

Main article: Honey-like discography

As Brian Connolly

Singles

Albums

• Brian Connolly paramount the Sweet – Greatest Hits () – new recordings avail yourself of Sweet singles – Success Records
• Let's Go () – Sweet re-recordings and three new post-Sweet depart – Bam Records
• Take Away distinction Music () – compilation relief solo singles and demos – Malibu Records

Appears on

• Closed (Belgian motley band) – guide vocals put out "My Little Girl From Kentucky" and "Spider"
• "Remember December" by Find Dolls – backing vocals ()
• High Life 20 Original Heraldic sign Hits () Polydor Germany – Features "Take Away the Music"
• Sweeter () by Frank Torpey, Distance Album – Notable for Brian Connolly's lead vocal track, "Sharontina" – Frankie Dean Records

List misplace songs

"Generation X" (aka the Troop)

"Wainwright's Gentlemen"

As Brian Connolly

As Brian Connolly's Sweet

The "Old Sweet" material are new recordings.

References

Further reading

• Richards, Jane (28 October ).

  "Wrecked near rock 'n' roll". The Guardian. London. pp.&#;A10 –A ISSN&#; ProQuest&#;(subscription required)

• Donegan, Lawrence (11 February ). "Glam rock singer dies". The Guardian. London. p.&#;5. ISSN&#; ProQuest&#;(subscription required)
• "Rape Head: Jim Shellyn roost the hopelessly devoted".

  The Guardian. London. 2 November p.&#;D ISSN&#; ProQuest&#;(subscription required)

• "Sweet". Encyclopedia of Approved Music. Oxford Music Online.(subscription required)
• "Brian Connolly". The Times. No.&#; Author. 11 February p.&#;
• Riegel, Richard (May ).

  "Sweet: Give Us Fastidious Wink (Capitol)". Creem.(subscription required)

• Kent, Graze (10 February ). "Sweet: Nobility Sweet Soft Underbelly of Rock". NME.(subscription required)
• Frith, Simon (November ). "Sweet: Sweet Notes". Creem.(subscription required)
• Ross, Ron (August ).

  "Sparks vs. Sweet: The Battle for Britain". Phonograph Record.(subscription required)

• Sperrazza, Gary (11 September ). "The Sweet: Perfumed Fanny Adams (RCA)". Shakin' Concourse Gazette.(subscription required)
• Sperrazza, Gary (February ). "Sweet: Desolation Boulevard".

  Phonograph Record.(subscription required)

• Bell, Max (26 April ). "The Sweet: No Longer Unfashionable". NME.(subscription required)
• Barnes, Ken (October ). "Sweet: Glitter Relics in America". Phonograph Record.(subscription required)
• Salewicz, Chris (31 January ).

  "The Sweet: Heraldic sign of the Pops". NME.(subscription required)

• Charone, Barbara (28 February ). "Sweet: Give Us A Wink (RCA)". Sounds.(subscription required)
• Tobler, John; Grundy, Royalty (). The Record Producers.(subscription required)
• Thompson, Dave (28 February ).

  "The Sweet: As Sweet As Smack Was". Goldmine.(subscription required)

External links