Introduction
Hey friend, ever stumble upon a singer whose voice feels like pure electricity? That was Brian Connolly—lead singer of ’70s glam‑rock legends The Sweet—whose powerful, soulful pipes could light up any stage. Born October 5, 1945 in Hamilton, Scotland, Brian was adopted as an infant and raised as Brian McManus until he rediscovered his birth name at eighteen. From those humble Glasgow roots, he’d soon command audiences worldwide.
In 1968, Brian joined forces with Andy Scott, Steve Priest and Mick Tucker to form The Sweetshop—soon shortened to The Sweet. Their early singles barely registered, but everything changed when Brian’s distinct lead vocals drove “Funny, Funny” into the UK Top 10 in 1971. Over the decade, he fronted powerhouse hits like “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox on the Run,” helping The Sweet sell over 50 million records globally.
But behind the sequins and spotlights, Brian battled serious health demons. A brutal assault in Staines in 1974 injured his throat, forcing canceled shows and forever altering his vocal range. By 1981, excessive touring, heavy drinking and smoking culminated in 14 heart attacks over 24 hours—leaving him partially paralyzed and with slurred speech.
Refusing to fade away, Brian toured as “Brian Connolly’s Sweet” through the ’80s, even as his health wavered. He released solo singles like “Hypnotized” and appeared on TV documentaries, sharing his trademark wit and candor. Fans rallied: a 1998 memorial concert in London and a plaque at Breakspear Crematorium testify to his lasting impact.
Brian passed on February 10, 1997 from organ failure at age 51, but his voice lives on in every soaring chorus and riff‑driven anthem he fronted. Listen to “Fox on the Run” or “Ballroom Blitz” and you still feel that thrill—proof that true rock magic never dies.