Page 48 - ION Indie Magazine SeptOct 2019 Issue

There was a time when glam ruled the air waves with
Slade, T. Rex, and SWEET…but SWEET was first. With
an innovative image coupled with originative guitar
tones and killer vocal harmonies, you only have to look
as far as your nearest Queen album to hear SWEET's
influence and sound. Their old recordings sound new
even today, which is a true attestation of the quality of
the music they produced.

One of the most influential British rock bands of all
times, SWEET rose to worldwide fame in the 1970s as
the premier glam rock act. SWEET has amassed a ton
of hits and they've influenced so many popular bands
such as E.L.O, The Bee Gees, Queen, Led Zeppelin,
Deep Purple, Mötley Crüe, Guns N Roses, and my band
that I was in, Spiders and Snakes. We were big on
SWEET and the whole glam-glitter thing.

SWEET is breathing fire and has kicked off its 2018 tour
on March 30 in Michigan. when I heard that SWEET was
coming to Tucson on their second leg of their 50th-
anniversary world tour, it was a must that I be there. I
immediately started hounding everyone I knew to get my
photo pass. I finally got a response from my friend in
L.A. and was told that I was in. Thank you, Robby
Lochner and Billy Stokes Summer Concert Series.

SWEET's origins can be traced back to 1962 and were
initially known as Unit 4 with other members. SWEET as
we know it today was formed in 1968 with their lineup
consisting of bass player Steve Priest, drummer Mick
Tucker, guitarist Andy Scott, and lead vocalist Brian
Connolly -- all accomplished musicians who could
write and play their own music and do it damn well.