Brian Connolly was a rock star and the irresistible frontman of the hit-making band The Sweet.
Following the smash hit The Ballroom Blitz, his stardom and wealth appeared unstoppable in the 1970s.
But the closing chapter of his life is a tragedy many never learned about.
The charming frontman
As the heartthrob lead singer of chart-topping glam rockers The Sweet, Brian Connolly seemed to have it all. The band dominated the 1970s, performing to massive crowds around the world and living the luxurious life that came with superstardom.
Fans adored them — guys and girls alike — and their music still resonates decades later. Mick Tucker was hailed as one of the best drummers of the era, and Brian’s vocals could electrify any stage.
The Sweet emerged during the mid-70s, a golden era for rock. Bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith were taking over the world. But Sweet had it all too: talent, charisma, and a string of hits. They were also one of the few British acts to break into the American charts.
The Sweet emerged during the mid-70s, a golden era for rock. Bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith were taking over the world. But Sweet had it all too: talent, charisma, and a string of hits. They were also one of the few British acts to break into the American charts.
Despite his physical struggles, he continued to tour the UK and Europe with his reformed band, the New Sweet, from 1984 onward. But his health kept him from sustaining the demanding schedule. During a 1990 tour in Australia, he was hospitalized for dehydration, and it became clear he could no longer handle the rigors of touring.
Legal battles over The Sweet’s name further drained his finances. Eventually, the two factions split: Brian’s band became Brian Connolly’s Sweet, while guitarist Andy Scott’s group was called Andy Scott’s Sweet.
Connolly kept touring, but the fees were a fraction of what he had earned in his prime, and his health continued to deteriorate.
Final interview
In 1995, he released a solo album, Let’s Go, which achieved only modest success. That same year, his 23-year-old partner, Jean, gave birth to their son. In a 1996 Channel 4 documentary, Don’t Leave Me This Way, Connolly admitted he had suffered six heart attacks and acknowledged that years of alcohol abuse had taken a devastating toll on his body.
By the mid-1990s, the once golden boy of glam rock was barely recognizable. He walked with a limp, shook visibly, and his performances showed the ravages of his decline.
In his final interview with journalist Jasper Rees, Brian claimed that he had carried the heaviest load when Sweet first hit the big time. He also spoke candidly about his heart attacks — according to his ex-wife, Connolly suffered 13 heart attacks in 24 hours, though the singer himself said it was closer to 12 over the span of about six weeks.
By then, he was living alone on a quiet cul-de-sac in a lifeless neighborhood, his hands trembling and his once-powerful voice noticeably diminished.
His final concert took place on December 5, 1996, at the Bristol Hippodrome, sharing the stage with Slade II and John Rossall’s Glitter Band Experience.
Just over three months later, Brian Connolly passed away. The former teen idol died on February 9, 1997, at Wexham Park Hospital due to kidney and liver failure, compounded by multiple heart attacks.
Fans later raised funds for a memorial plaque at Breakspear Crematorium, honoring the singer who had once lit up stadiums around the world.
Do you have any memories of The Sweet or Brian Connolly? Did you know about his tragic story? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments.