Notorious for their overt Glam image and string of teenybop anthem hit singles, SWEET were nonetheless a fine Hard Rock act that released some excellent albums throughout a turbulent career. At their peak in the 70s, SWEET sold a staggering 50 million records globally. Such was their domination of the charts in Europe that the band scored no less than 8 number 1's in Germany with such Pop orientated tunes as 'Co Co', 'Little Willy', 'Wig Wam Bam' before the success continued apace with the Rock anthems 'Blockbuster', 'Hellraiser', 'Ballroom Blitz', 'Teenage Rampage' and 'Fox On The Run'.

Formed during 1968 in London by erstwhile WAINWRIGHT'S GENTLEMEN members, vocalist Brian Connolly and drummer Mick Tucker, as SWEETSHOP they soon added bassist Steve Priest and guitarist Frank Torpy and shortened the bandname to SWEET.

After signing to Fontana and releasing the instant flop single 'Slow Motion', Torpy quit and in came guitarist Mick Stewart. SWEET then signed to Parlophone, releasing three successive singles which failed to chart. Stewart then left and was replaced by ex-ELASTIC BAND guitarist Andy Scott.

In March of 1971 SWEET broke thier pattern of ill luck when 'Funny Funny' became their first British hit, climbing to number 13. This was to herald no less than 14 hit singles in a row, the most successful being their first UK number 1 hit 'Blockbuster'.

As the group's popularity grew SWEET put in a heavy schedule of TV appearances, including numerous 'Top Of The Pops' slots, and soon picked up an eager teenage audience. The band capitalised on the Glam explosion to the full, rivalling GARY GLITTER, WIZZARD and SLADE for outrageous stage gear.

From 1971 to 1974 the band employed the servives of songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who also wrote at the time for MUD and SUZI QUATRO. The duo penned the majority of SWEET's big hit singles. Indeed, the 'Strung Up'album was a rushed mixture of singles and live material recorded in 1973, released to gloss over what many saw as a gaping chasm caused by the band's eventual split with Chinn and Chapman. The band themselves only started to take the songwriting reins from the 'Sweet Fanny Adams' album onwards, ironically giving SWEET thier first chart album and proving that beneath all the glitz and glamour there was a very heavy Rock band itching to be let loose.

Most observers feel that 'Sweet Fanny Adams', released in 1974, to be the band's first legitimate album as further chart success with 'Teenage Rampage' promoted the record and another album track. 'Peppermint Twist', gave the band a no.1 single in far flung Australia. The opening track, 'Set Me Free' would be later covered by Heavy Metal band SAXON on their 'Crusader' opus.

With a second album released during 1974, 'Desolation Boulevard', SWEET looked set to rule the world. Unfortunately, in June of 1974 Brian Connnolly was attacked prior to the group going on as support to THE WHO at Charlton Athletic's Football Ground 'The Valley', and had to take time out from singing as his throat was badly bruised.

The group also discovered that new single,'Turn It Down', suffered from a radio airplay ban due to it's alleged unsuitability, so the band rush released 'Fox On The Run' to maintain their chart profile.

During 1976 SWEET attempted to crack America promoting their 'Give Us A Wink' album with a punishing schedule of over 50 dates and at one point jammed with RITCHIE BLACKMORE in a tribute to mark the death of FREE and BACKSTREET CRAWLER guitarist PAUL KOSSOFF.

Splitting from RCA in 1978 the first album for new label Polydor, 'Level Headed', found SWEET experimenting with all four band members contributing lead vocals. The band undertook a succesful British tour in early 1978 before Connelly announced his departure a year later in February 1979. His vocals were wiped from the recorded material for the ensuing 'Cut Above The Rest' album and SWEET doggedly soldiered on as a trio, with Scott now handling lead vocal, although later added keyboard player Gary Moberley to complement the new sound.

SWEET fulfilled another successful British tour in 1981 before recording thier final album 'Identity Crisis with a return of guitarist Mick Stewart. Meantime, the departed Connolly concentrated on a less Hard Rock oriented direction, releasing three singles in Germany and then issued a British solo single entitled 'Hypnotised' in 1982. The song was written by RAINBOW vocalist JOE LYNN TURNER and originally recorded by the American's former band FANDANGO. In an attempt to get back into the limelight Connolly later formed CONNOLLY'S ENCORE and toured as support to PAT BENATAR in Britain during 1983. In 1984 Swiss Rockers KROKUS kept the SWEET name alive in the USA with their cover version of 'Ballroom Blitz'.

The SWEET reformed in 1985 for a tour of the Far East, with a line up of Scott, Tucker, ex IRON MAIDEN, MORE and WILDFIRE vocalist Paul Mario Day, ex-WEAPON bassist Malcolm McNulty and ex GRAND PRIX men keyboardist Phil Lanzon and drummer Andy Bierne.

Day chose to remain in Australia following a SWEET tour of that territory. Lanzon and Bierne had a brief alliance with LIONHEART before Lanzon had an attempt at forming an act with MOTÖRHEAD's Philthy Taylor named OPERATOR before joining URIAH HEEP.

Scott busied himself outside of the band by producing Swedish party Rockers SHA-BOOM for two albums, 'R.O.C.K.' in 1988 (which featured a version of 'Fox On The Run') and 1990's 'Let's Party'.

By 1991 the band comprised of Scott, Tucker, McNulty on vocals and STATETROOPER bassist Jeff Brown, being were billed as ANDY SCOTT'S SWEET. The 1992 incarnation of SWEET was centred around the sole remaining original member Andy Scott with ex-LIONHEART vocalist Chad Brown, ex-LIAR, McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP and LIONHEART guitarist Steve Mann, bassist Jeff Brown and former WEAPON, WILDFIRE and PRAYING MANTIS drummer Bruce Bisland.

In 1993 the SWEET name was once more brought to attention with DEF LEPPARD's hit single version of 'Action', although this wasn't the first or last time a SWEET classic would be covered. Indeed, the short-lived semi-Glam act VIRGINIA WOLF had released 'Action' as a single back in 1982, but the DEF LEPPARD version proved just how enduring the band's songs were.

The SWEET recorded the album of re-works entitled 'Glitz, Blitz And Hits' for the Australian market the same year. Steve Grant would replace Mann in 1996 although the later would still on ocassion feature in the live line up.

Whilst Scott persevered with the band, Brian Connelly also had his own version of SWEET, playing to diminished audiences at Britain holiday camp venues. Connelly was a true survivor. Battling against years of self abuse the vocalist was also knocked back by a spinal problem caused by a pneumonia attack and cirrhosis of the liver due to years of hard drinking. Having suffered no less than 14 heart attacks in one day he still trod the boards for Rock n' Roll until his death in February 1997 from renal failure.

Drummer Mick Tucker would pass away in February 2002 at the age of 54, due to complications brought on by a lengthy battle with leukemia.

A Swedish all star tribute album 'Sweet F.A.' was delivered by the Malibu label in 2002. Musicians donating their talents included vocalists Jonas Nilson of the REDNEX and Thomas Vikstrom from TALK OF THE TOWN, Bruce Kulick of KISS and UNION with Lars Criss of LION'S SHARE on guitars, John Levén of EUROPE on bass, keyboard player TOMMY DENANDER and drummer Johan 'J.K.' Kihlberg.

A 2003 version of SWEET saw Andy Scott joined by vocalist Tony O'Hora, a man with a wealth of credits with such Rock outfits as TORINO, ONSLAUGHT, HIGHWIRE, HORA-KANE and PRAYING MANTIS. Previously operating as ANDY SCOTT'S SWEET the band secured the legal right to the SWEET title.

Sweden once more bowed in with a SWEET tribute in early 2004, Rivel Records 'The Sweet According To Sweden' seeing contributions from artists such as HOUSE OF SHAKIRA, STONECAKE, LOCOMOTIVE BREATH, AUDIOVISION, DARKWATER, MODEST ATTRACTION, MERCURY FANG and ECLIPSE. The former QUIET RIOT singer KEVIN DUBROW tackled a cover of 'Burn On The Flame' for his 2004 album 'In For The Kill'.

The band announced in January 2006 that TONY MILLS, singer for Birmingham outfits SHY and SIAM, had enrolled in the vocal / bass role. However, within weeks, following a clutch of Danish gigs, Mills announced he had "quit".