Sweet

The Sweet (originally The Sweet) were one of the most representative bands of British glam rock in the 1970s, known for their ability to combine a flashy, theatrical aesthetic with pop songwriting of strong melodic and rhythmic impact. Formed in London in 1968, the group found its classic lineup with Brian Connolly (vocals), Andy Scott (guitar), Steve Priest (bass) and Mick Tucker (drums), establishing itself as one of the driving forces of the most radio-friendly and, at the same time, most muscular glam.

After a handful of minor singles released under the name The Sweetshop, the turning point came in 1971 thanks to the partnership with songwriters/producers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, masters of an ultra-catchy pop rock built to dominate the charts. Their first big hit was "Funny Funny", followed by an impressive run of singles like "Co-Co", "Poppa Joe", "Little Willy" and "Wig-Wam Bam", which defined a style where pop sweetness and glam guitars fused together brilliantly.

It was with "Block Buster!" (1973), however, that Sweet broke through internationally, topping the British charts and going head to head with T. Rex and Slade. The track, heavily influenced by the most theatrical side of glam, opened a golden era that culminated in hits like "Hell Raiser", "The Ballroom Blitz" and "Teenage Rampage", which combined hard rock energy with irresistible hooks and stage-ready spectacle.

In 1974 came "Sweet Fanny Adams", the first album written entirely by the band, with a noticeably heavier sound than their chart hits: tracks like "Set Me Free" and "Rebel Rouser" show a clear intent to earn musical credibility beyond their glittery image. The following year saw the release of "Desolation Boulevard", regarded as one of the masterpieces of glam rock, featuring both more refined material and classics like "Fox On The Run" alongside a new version of "The Ballroom Blitz" aimed at the US market.

The second half of the 70s marked a gradual shift away from the style of their early hits: "Give Us A Wink" (1976) and "Off The Record" (1977) leaned further into hard rock and progressive influences, but met with less commercial success. In this period, though, the band pulled off one of its greatest feats: the single "Love Is Like Oxygen" (1978), which marked a departure from their earlier work, embracing strings and disco touches, especially in the extended version of the track featured on the album "Level Headed" (6 minutes and 57 seconds).

After Connolly's departure in 1979, the band released "Cut Above the Rest" (1979), "Waters Edge" (1980) and "Identity Crisis" (1982), albums appreciated mainly by the most devoted fans but marked by a broader decline in interest.

Sweet disbanded in 1982, but their name has since been kept alive by various parallel lineups led by former members: Brian Connolly with his own "New Sweet", Steve Priest with a group of his own in the United States, and finally Andy Scott, who from the UK has carried on the most stable and widely recognised version of the band's legacy, still touring and releasing new material today, including "New York Connection" (2012), an album of covers reworked in glam rock style.

Sweet's legacy has often been underrated by critics, but has been reassessed over time for the band's ability to blend pop instinct, hard rock power and a theatrical attitude that anticipated the aesthetic of many future bands. Powerful tracks like the hit "Love Is Like Oxygen", one of their last major international successes, testify to their skill in moving between different styles without losing their identity.

Sweet have sold over 35 million records worldwide and remain a cornerstone of the glam era, having influenced generations of artists while keeping the energy and colour of 70s British rock alive.