Introduction
Brian Connolly, the powerful voice behind some of Sweet’s most iconic glam rock hits, was forced to leave the band in 1979—and according to bassist Steve Priest, his health played a major role in that decision. In particular, it was Connolly’s heavy smoking that left a lasting impact on his vocal ability.
“A lot of our songs demanded a high vocal range,” Priest explained in an interview with Focus in the Mix. “But Brian smoked like a chimney, and because of that, he’d lose his voice all the time.” Despite his undeniable talent and charisma, Connolly struggled to maintain the strength of his voice after years of constant smoking, which eventually became too much for him to overcome on stage.
Connolly’s departure came after a golden era of hits with Sweet, including timeless tracks like ‘Fox on the Run’, ‘Ballroom Blitz’, ‘Little Willy’, and ‘Love Is Like Oxygen.’ But as Steve Priest revealed, Connolly’s interests had started to shift. “He wanted to do more country-style music,” the bassist shared. “I still have a few of his recordings, but most of them are spoken rather than sung. He had a huge heart—he would give you anything he had.”
Smoking wasn’t the only concern for the troubled frontman. Alcohol also took a toll. “He used to have a few drinks before interviews and would sometimes show up completely drunk,” Priest recalled. “It wasn’t that he wanted to be reckless. He just couldn’t hold his liquor. He once told me, ‘I love to have a drink, but I just can’t keep up.’” Despite his Scottish roots—where having a drink or two might be common—Connolly’s body didn’t react well to alcohol, which only added to his health problems.
In 1988, there was hope for a reunion of the original Sweet lineup. Unfortunately, Connolly’s declining health made it impossible to follow through. He had suffered several heart attacks and endured years of failing health, ultimately passing away in 1997.
Though Brian Connolly’s life was marked by struggle, his legacy in music remains untouchable. His voice helped define a generation of glam rock, and his warmth and generosity left a deep impression on those who knew him best.