One of the biggest rock bands’ lead vocalist left the group at the height of their fame, but sadly he didn’t manage to crack the charts solo and died living in a council flat
One British rock star’s world came crashing down shortly before his death.
Brian Connolly, he charismatic frontman of glam rock legends The Sweet, seemed to have the world at his feet as the band triumphed the charts throughout the 1970s.
Guitarist Andy Scott revealed they had reached millionaire status during their peak thanks to an impressive 39 global hits and 13 UK top 20 entries, including their chart-topping anthem Blockbuster.
However, when Brian passed away in February 1997 aged 51 from kidney and liver failure after suffering multiple heart attacks, he was living in a council flat with his partner and son while regularly performing at Butlin’s just to pay the bills, reports the Mirror.
His departure from the group in 1979 to launch a solo career was fairly unsuccessful as despite his stage presence and devoted fanbase, Brian’s singles failed to impact the charts.
Disaster struck when Brian and his former Sweet bandmates were hit with a crippling multimillion-pound tax demand from the Inland Revenue. Sadly, Brian had no choice but to flog his home to pay the bills.
In 1981 he was rushed to hospital with severe bloating and endured a series of heart attacks. His health suffered lasting damage from partial paralysis affecting his left side, which unfortunately progressed into a neurological disorder but despite these physical challenges, Brian embarked on UK and European tours with his group, the New Sweet, beginning in early 1984.
In July 1990, arrangements were finalised for the band to tour Australia. During the marathon flight over he suffered additional health complications and was taken to Adelaide Hospital for dehydration and associated problems.
The band delivered a performance in Adelaide in his absence and it became apparent he wasn’t fit to perform, which resulted in the tour extension getting scrapped.
In 1995 his 23-year-old partner Jean gave birth to their son, but tragically just two years later in February 1997 Brian passed away. Following his cremation, fans raised money for a commemorative plaque at Breakspear Crematorium.
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