Introduction
In a candid interview with Metal Express Radio, legendary SWEET guitarist Andy Scott expressed his frustration about another band performing as THE SWEET despite having no original members.
“It’s not something I would’ve liked,” Scott admitted, reflecting on the complex history of the band’s lineup changes. He explained that when he and drummer Mick Tucker were together in the mid-80s, they would have welcomed original singer Brian Connolly back “if he could have still sung,” but unfortunately, Connolly’s health had deteriorated significantly.
“Every time I met Brian in the ’80s and ’90s, he looked different and didn’t look well,” Scott recalled with evident sadness. “If he’d looked like that but could still sing, it would’ve been different because everybody ages.”
Scott revealed he’d once proposed having Connolly make special appearances with his band: “You come on stage for the last half an hour and knock the audience out.” Tragically, Connolly fell ill and died before this could happen.
Regarding original bassist Steve Priest, Scott seemed genuinely surprised when Priest formed his own version of SWEET around 2010. “I phoned Steve and said, ‘I’m surprised you didn’t call me so that if you wanted to do some gigs, come and do ’em with me.’”
Scott appears particularly troubled that Priest’s widow has allowed his backing band to continue as THE SWEET after his death. “It’s a business thing,” he said with clear disapproval, adding that he’s “even heard the drummer gives interviews as if he was the drummer on ‘The Ballroom Blitz.’”
When asked about this rival band actively touring and recording in 2024, Scott questioned their motives: “If they need money, and I can’t see why they would… I can’t see that band earning the kind of money they would need. They’re kind of scrabbling about. And why would anybody want to book a band called SWEET that has nothing that ties them to the original band?”
Meanwhile, Scott’s version of SWEET will release “Full Circle” on September 20, 2024—announced as the band’s final studio album ever.