Sweet's origins go back to 1965, with UK soul band Wainwright's Gentlemen, which included drummer Mick Tucker and vocalist Ian Gillan.
Wainwrights Gentlemen was a mid-'60s group (sometimes misidentified as a late '60s outfit) most notable as one of future Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan's early bands and the distant spawning ground for the '70s glam-rock band Sweet. Wainwrights Gentlemen were already playing clubs with a mixture of R&B, Motown, and early psychedelic sounds when vocalist Brian Connolly joined in 1966. Ian Gillan was aboard, having left a group called the Javelins to join Wainwrights Gentlemen, based on the idea that they had a recording contract. The latter proved to be nothing more than an audition, which Wainwrights Gentlemen failed. Gillan exited to join Episode Six, where he met bassist Roger Glover, both on their way to Deep Purple. Tucker and Connolly left to form Sweetshop, which became The Sweet in 1970.
New line-up and new record deal:
In 1969 guitarist Mick Stewart joined, and Sweet signed a new record contract with EMI's Parlophone Label. Three more bubblegum pop singles were released, "Lollipop Man" (September 1969), "All You'll Ever Get From Me" (January 1970), and Archies cover, "Get On The Line" (June, 1970), which all failed to chart. Stewart then quit, and was replaced by ex-Scaffold, Mayfield's Mule, and Elastic Band guitarist Andy Scott.
Out of all the members, Andy Scott had the most professional experience. As a member of the Elastic Band, he had played guitar on two singles for Decca "Think Of You Baby" and "Do Unto Others". He also appeared on the band's sole album release, Expansions On Life.
With the new line-up now in place, a management deal was secured with a newly formed, and unknown song writing team, consisting of Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Phil Wainman was the executive producer. This management deal also included a worldwide (except U.S.A.) record contract with RCA.
Sweet initially attempted to combine various musical influences, including 1960s bubblegum pop groups such as the Archies and The Monkees, with more heavy rock-oriented groups such as The Who. Sweet adopted the rich vocal harmony style of The Hollies, with distorted guitars and a heavy rhythm section. This fusion of pop and hard rock would remain a central trademark of Sweet's music.
Another influence on Sweet's music was 1960s drummer Sandy Nelson, who partially influenced Mick Tucker's drumming style. In particular, Sweet tracks such as "Ballroom Blitz", and "Man With The Golden Arm", all contain elements of Sandy Nelson's 1961 U.S. Top 10 hit, "Let There Be Drums".
Sweet featuring Ritchie Blackmore - All Right Now (Live 1976)
During a Sweet gig in Santa Monica, California, Blackmore got up on stage and jammed together with Sweet during one of their encores. Sweet played the Free classic "All Right Now". They dedicated the song to Paul Kossoff who had died just few days earlier on a flight from New York to Los Angeles.
Paul Francis Kossoff, Free's inspirational blues-rock guitarist, died of a drug-induced heart attack, at the very young age of 25.
Dedicated to the memory of the great old rock from the 70's, the real Sweet, Brian F. Connolly, Mick Tucker and Paul Francis Kossoff.
The Sweet - Cockroach
Sweet Hard Years [1976] Album "Give Us A Wink" and B side of "Lies In Your Eyes"
The Sweet - Breakdown
The Sweet, Geordie scene 1974! Hosted by legendary D.J. Dave Cash, who was one of Britain's pioneering pirate broadcasters.
