Introduction
In mid‑1975, British glam‑rock icons The Sweet sat down for two spirited interviews—first on Australia’s GTK, then on the TV show Countdown with famed host Molly Meldrum—just before tearing into their high‑energy cover of “Peppermint Twist.” These moments capture the band at their peak: candid, playful, and passionately committed to bringing rock ’n’ roll joy to every corner of the globe.
The Sweet formed in London in 1968 (originally as The Sweetshop) and evolved into one of the defining glam‑rock outfits of the early 1970s. Their classic lineup—Brian Connolly on vocals, Steve Priest on bass, Andy Scott on guitar, and Mick Tucker on drums—scored thirteen UK Top 20 hits between 1971 and 1975, including “The Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox on the Run”.
In the GTK segment taped in mid‑1975, the band relaxed into cheeky banter about life on the road and their evolving sound—moments later mirrored on Countdown when Molly Meldrum presented them with gold records for their Australian success. You see Connolly flashing his trademark grin, Priest tossing witty one‑liners, and Scott and Tucker swapping riffs on upcoming tour plans—all before launching into their twist‑driven hit.
“Peppermint Twist” was originally a 1961 U.S. smash by Joey Dee & the Starliters, king of New York’s Peppermint Lounge scene. The Sweet’s glam‑rock makeover appeared on their 1974 album Sweet Fanny Adams and became a staple of their live shows, especially Down Under where it charted in 1975. Their version keeps the song’s dance‑craze energy but adds searing guitar solos and a stadium‑ready beat that turns any club into a glittering riot.
This interview‑performance combo matters because it crystallizes The Sweet’s dual identity: savvy pop craftsmen and unpretentious rockers who loved to have fun. Hearing them talk about hometown shows one moment, then snapping into the rapid‑fire piano chords and hand‑claps of “Peppermint Twist” the next, reminds us why live music can feel like a shared secret between artist and audience