The Rise and Fall of Brian Connolly: The Sweet’s Troubled Star

Brian Connolly, the iconic voice of the glam rock band The Sweet, led a life filled with both dazzling success and heartbreaking struggles.

Born on October 5, 1945, in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, Connolly’s early life was marked by profound challenges.

Abandoned by his teenage mother in a Glasgow hospital, he was fostered at the age of two by Jim and Helen McManus, who adopted him.

Upon discovering his true lineage, he reverted to his birth name, Connolly, which would become synonymous with rock music.

There were whispers of familial connections to Mark McManus, known for the show “Taggart,” due to a perceived resemblance between the two.

At the age of 12, Connolly moved to Harefield, Middlesex, where he attended a local school.

In his mid-teens, he joined the Merchant Navy, sporting a distinctive tiger’s head tattoo on his right arm.

After his discharge in 1963, he returned to Harefield and began playing in various bands, including Generation X.

From mid-1965 until October 1966, he recorded four tracks with the group, although they never saw commercial release.

The lineup featured Connolly on vocals, along with Chris Eldridge and Lee Mory on guitars, Mark Conway on bass, and drummer Martin Lass.

Eventually, he replaced Ian Gillan, who later gained fame with Deep Purple, in a band called Wayne’s Gentleman, which included drummer Mick Tucker.

In 1967, Tucker and Connolly left Wayne’s Gentleman to form a new band, Sweetshop, which was later renamed The Sweet.

Their debut single, “Slow Motion,” was released in 1968, but it was not until 1970 that they found success with “Funny Funny.”

Connolly’s rise to fame was marked by regular appearances on “Top of the Pops,” solidifying The Sweet’s place in pop culture.

However, the band’s journey was not without its setbacks, particularly a brutal beating Connolly endured in 1974 after leaving a nightclub.

This incident caused significant damage to his throat, leading to a permanent loss of vocal range and sidelining him from singing for a considerable time.

The attack also prevented The Sweet from seizing a major opportunity to support The Who on tour, a blow to their burgeoning career.

During the recording of the “Sweet Fanny Adams” album, other band members had to fill in for Connolly on several tracks due to the lingering effects of the assault.

As tensions escalated within the band, Connolly found himself increasingly excluded from decision-making processes, further exacerbating his struggles with alcoholism.

By the mid-1970s, his battles intensified, particularly during the band’s hiatus in 1977, leading to a power struggle that impacted his performances.

His last UK show took place at the Hammersmith Odeon in February 1978, with the final live performance occurring in July 1978 in Florida.

Despite having already left the band, Connolly’s departure was not officially announced until March 1979, marking a significant turning point in his career.

After leaving The Sweet, he took time off to focus on family and began exploring country rock influences.

By late 1979, he recorded new tracks at Chipping Norton Studios with Mick Angus, signaling a shift in his musical direction.

In 1980, “Take Away the Music” was re-recorded at Marquee Studios with Pip Williams, showcasing Connolly’s desire to experiment with fresh sounds.

His solo debut was previewed at Bravo Super Disco in Munich on June 22, 1979, where he performed his first solo single.

Released in 1980, “Take Away the Music” featured on the “Polydor Germany High Life” compilation album, marking a new chapter in his career.

However, health troubles soon emerged, leading to hospitalization due to bloating and multiple heart attacks.

These issues left lasting effects, including paralysis on his left side, which developed into a nervous system condition likely resulting from his history of excessive alcohol and tobacco use.

In 1982, Connolly signed with Career Records and released “Hypnotized,” a cover of a Joe Lynn Turner track, but it failed to chart despite wide distribution in Europe.

Financial troubles loomed as he faced a multi-million-pound tax assessment from the Inland Revenue, forcing him to sell his house to settle debts.

From 1984 onward, Connolly continued to tour the UK and Europe with his band, The New Sweet, achieving annual successes in West Germany.

However, personal challenges arose as he separated from his wife, Marilyn, finalizing their divorce in 1986.

This period marked a mix of professional triumphs and personal transitions for the legendary musician.

In 1987, Connolly reunited with original Sweet guitarist Frank Torpey to record the track “Sharon,” which was released in 1998 on Torpey’s album.

A planned reunion with former band members in Los Angeles aimed to rework studio versions of “Action” and “Ballroom Blitz,” but health issues derailed the project.

In 1990, Connolly briefly reunited with the original Sweet lineup for a music video documentary promotion at Tower Records in London.

Despite plans for an Australian tour with The New Sweet, health issues cut the tour short, and the band performed without him in several cities.

Throughout the early ’90s, Connolly played the European circuit, but legal disputes over the Sweet name with Andy Scott led to both groups distinguishing their identities.

Connolly’s band became known as Brian Connolly’s Sweet, and despite legal challenges, they continued touring in the UK and Europe.

In 1994, they performed in Dubai and Bahrain, during which Connolly reconciled with Steve Priest and Nick Tucker, even performing together at Priest’s daughter’s wedding in 1995.

That same year, Connolly released a new album titled “Let’s Go,” accompanied by merchandising efforts.

His partner, Jane, played a pivotal role in helping him locate his biological family, leading to a heartfelt reunion with his siblings.

On November 2, 1996, Channel 4 aired a program titled “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” exploring Connolly’s time as a Sweet pop star and the band’s decline.

Despite health challenges revealed in the show, Connolly persisted with concert dates, culminating in a performance at the Bristol Hippodrome on December 5, 1996.

Sharing the stage with Slade II and John Russell’s Glitter Band, it marked one of his final performances.

In January 1997, Connolly suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in Slough.

Although he discharged himself after a week, he was readmitted the following week and tragically passed away around midnight on February 9-10, 1997.

His death was attributed to kidney and liver failure, compounded by repeated heart attacks, at the age of 51.

A cremation ceremony took place on February 17, 1997, at Most Holy Name Roman Catholic Church in Denham, Buckinghamshire, with his ashes scattered over the water by his daughters, Nicola and Michelle.

He was survived by his ex-wife Marilyn, girlfriend Jan, and their one-year-old son, Brian.

In honor of his legacy, a memorial concert was organized by fans at Camden Palace in London on October 11, 1998, raising funds for a plaque dedicated to Connolly.

Unveiled on February 9, 2000, the plaque serves as a testament to his enduring influence in the music world.

In 2013, Connolly’s son, Brian Jr., participated in “The X Factor,” keeping the family’s musical legacy alive.

Brian Connolly’s story is one of triumph and tragedy, a reminder of the highs and lows that accompany the pursuit of fame.

His voice and contributions to rock music continue to resonate, ensuring that his legacy will never be forgotten.

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