Brian Connolly (The Sweet)
Born: 5 October 1945
Died: 9 February 1997 (51 Years)
Died: 9 February 1997 (51 Years)
The Sweet
Brian Francis Connolly (5 October 1945 – 09 February 1997) was a Scottish singer-songwriter, musician and actor, best known as the lead singer of glam rock band The Sweet between 1968 and 1979.
From early 1984 onward, despite recurrent ill health, Connolly toured the UK and Europe with his band, now under the name of The New Sweet. His most successful concerts were annual appearances in West Germany, before and after Germany's reunification. He visited other countries including Denmark, and continued to perform sporadically in the UK. Connolly had reportedly stopped drinking in 1985.[citation needed] The same year Connolly separated from his wife Marilyn, divorcing in 1986.
During 1987, Connolly again encountered Frank Torpey, the original Sweet lead guitarist from 1968 to 1969. According to Torpey, Connolly was seeking a German recording deal. Torpey subsequently invited Connolly to go into the recording studio with him, as an informal project. Running very late, Connolly turned up and the track "Sharontina" was recorded, but would not be released until Torpey's 1998 album, Sweeter.
During January 1997, Connolly had another heart attack and he was hospitalised in Slough. After a week in hospital he discharged himself, but had to be readmitted the following week. This time there was little more that could be done. Connolly died around midnight of 9–10 February 1997, due to kidney failure, liver failure and repeated heart attacks. He was 51 years old.
He was cremated after a ceremony at Most Holy Name Roman Catholic Church at Old Mill Road, Denham, Buckinghamshire, on 17 February 1997, and his ashes were scattered over the water by his daughters Nicola and Michelle. He was also survived by his ex-wife, Marilyn, and his one-year-old son Brian (born 26 May 1995 by his girlfriend Jean). Fans organised a memorial concert for Connolly at the Camden Palace in London on 11 October 1998. Money was raised for a plaque dedicated to Connolly at Breakspear Crematorium, Breakspear Road, Ruislip, Middlesex. It was unveiled on 9 February 2000.
In 2013, Connolly's son, Brian Jr., competed in the television talent show The X Factor. Brian Jr.'s mother, Jean, married and now lives with a former band member, Glenn Williams, in Spain.
(wikipedia)
From early 1984 onward, despite recurrent ill health, Connolly toured the UK and Europe with his band, now under the name of The New Sweet. His most successful concerts were annual appearances in West Germany, before and after Germany's reunification. He visited other countries including Denmark, and continued to perform sporadically in the UK. Connolly had reportedly stopped drinking in 1985.[citation needed] The same year Connolly separated from his wife Marilyn, divorcing in 1986.
During 1987, Connolly again encountered Frank Torpey, the original Sweet lead guitarist from 1968 to 1969. According to Torpey, Connolly was seeking a German recording deal. Torpey subsequently invited Connolly to go into the recording studio with him, as an informal project. Running very late, Connolly turned up and the track "Sharontina" was recorded, but would not be released until Torpey's 1998 album, Sweeter.
During January 1997, Connolly had another heart attack and he was hospitalised in Slough. After a week in hospital he discharged himself, but had to be readmitted the following week. This time there was little more that could be done. Connolly died around midnight of 9–10 February 1997, due to kidney failure, liver failure and repeated heart attacks. He was 51 years old.
He was cremated after a ceremony at Most Holy Name Roman Catholic Church at Old Mill Road, Denham, Buckinghamshire, on 17 February 1997, and his ashes were scattered over the water by his daughters Nicola and Michelle. He was also survived by his ex-wife, Marilyn, and his one-year-old son Brian (born 26 May 1995 by his girlfriend Jean). Fans organised a memorial concert for Connolly at the Camden Palace in London on 11 October 1998. Money was raised for a plaque dedicated to Connolly at Breakspear Crematorium, Breakspear Road, Ruislip, Middlesex. It was unveiled on 9 February 2000.
In 2013, Connolly's son, Brian Jr., competed in the television talent show The X Factor. Brian Jr.'s mother, Jean, married and now lives with a former band member, Glenn Williams, in Spain.
(wikipedia)