Steve Priest, bassist, vocalist and founding member of British glam rockers the Sweet, has passed away aged 72. The band confirmed the sad news on Facebook, saying:
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce at 8:25am PT today, Steve Priest, founding member of The Sweet, passed away,” reads a post on the band’s Facebook. “He is survived by his wife, Maureen, three daughters, Lisa, Danielle & Maggie and 3 grandchildren, Jordan, Jade & Hazel.”
Guitarist, Andy Scott, paid tribute to his bandmate, calling him the “best bass player.” Scott formed the Sweet in London with Priest in 1968 and is now the last surviving founding member of the group after the deaths of lead singer Brian Connolly in 1997, and drummer Mick Tucker in 2002.
“Then there was one! I am in pieces right now. Steve Priest has passed away,” Scott said in a statement via social media. “His wife Maureen and I have kept in contact and though his health was failing I never envisaged this moment. Never. My thoughts are with his family x.”
“He was the best bass player I ever played with. The noise we made as a band was so powerful. From that moment in the summer of 1970 when set off on our Musical Odyssey the world opened up and the rollercoaster ride started! He eventually followed his heart and moved to the USA. First New York then LA. Rest in Peace brother. All my love.”
The Sweet shot to international fame in the 1970s, scoring a massive 13 Top 20 hits – many written and produced with Australian glam architect, Mike Chapman – after they had their first taste of success with “Funny Funny” on their 1971 debut album Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be.
Sweet | “Funny Funny”
In 1973, the band hit number one spot on the charts around the world with the very aptly titled, “Blockbuster!” from their self-titled album. Here they are performing it live on BBC’s Top of the Pops that same year.
Sweet | “Blockbuster!” [Top Of The Pops, 1973]
Shortly after, the Sweet smashed their way up the charts with perhaps their best-known song, “The Ballroom Blitz” which was apparently inspired by the band being bottled off stage in Scotland the year before. The song starts with singer Connolly giving a sort of band role call – Are You, Ready Steve? would form the title of Priest's 1994 autobiography.
Sweet | “The Ballroom Blitz”
Another chart-topper for the band was 1975’s “Fox On The Run” which spent six weeks at number one in Australia, going on the be the year’s best charting single in Australia. Ironically, it was the first single released by the band that wasn't recorded with Aussie producer, Mike Chapman.
Sweet | “Fox On The Run”
The Sweet were heavily inspired by the likes of the Shadows, the Rolling Stones and The Who, and heavily influential to the generation who followed in their irresistibly catchy, pop-drama wake, like Motley Cre, Def Leppard and Kiss.
Celebrate the life and legacy of Steve Priest with the Sweet on Spotify:
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