Brian Connolly - After Sweet

After Sweet

Leaving Sweet in March 1979, Connolly did an interview with German music magazine Bravo saying he was taking time off to be with his family and considering a new musical direction (countrified rock.) By mid to late 1979 he had recorded a few new tracks at Chipping Norton Recording Studios, in Oxfordshire, with the assistance of friend and producer Mick Angus. One of the tracks "Take Away The Music" was rerecorded the following year, with then Polydor producer Pip Williams, out at the Marquee Studios, in London. It was issued as Connolly's first solo single during 1980, by Polydor.

Also in 1979 was Connolly's first major appearance since leaving the Sweet, at the Bravo Super Disco '79 event, held at the Olympic Stadium in Munich. 10,000 people heard Connolly perform a sneak peek of his first solo Polydor single: "Take Away The Music". This single is also included on the Polydor Germany "High Life" compilation album from 1980.

Over the next three years Connolly released a handful of singles ("Take Away The Music", "Don't You Know A Lady", and "Hypnotized" which was written by Joe Lynn Turner) but these did not chart. The first two singles were released by Polydor because Connolly was still signed to the label. Interestingly, the second Brian Connolly single "Don't You Know a Lady", which was composed by Roger Greenaway, was also recorded by British four-piece band Brooks shortly after Brian Connolly's release. Again, the track failed to make an impact.

In 1981, Connolly was admitted to hospital with bloating, and he sustained multiple heart attacks. His health was permanently affected with some paralysis on his left side which would later develop into a nervous system condition. These problems were most likely related to Connolly's excessive alcohol consumption, coupled with the use of prescription diuretic medicine.

Thus began Brian Connolly's major problems. The British Inland Revenue served Connolly and the other members of the Sweet with a multi-million pound tax assessment for the income earned off their hit records. Connolly sold his house to pay his share of the tax bill. Shortly after, Connolly separated from his first wife Marilyn, divorcing in 1986. His alcohol abuse continued until 1985, when he quit drinking.

In 1982 the Polydor contract had now expired and Connolly signed with French independent label, Carrere Records. Carrere then released the single "Hypnotized". A Fandango cover, the track was released in Europe with wide distribution by RCA. During this time that Connolly recorded a dozen or so new tracks, most unreleased or demos. The original plan was to have a completed album out by August 1983.

During January 1983, Connolly supported Pat Benatar for three shows including one at Hammersmith Odeon, London. Connolly's Encore, included most of the members of Verity (fronted by ex-Argent guitarist John Verity) and Terry Uttley, bass player from Smokie. Songs played included "Windy City", "Fox on the Run", "Hypnotized" and new numbers, "Sick and Tired", "Red Hair Rage" and "Burning The Candle". These three tracks are available on a bootleg 7" single and CD. The band and Connolly also played two other dates for the Benatar tour in Birmingham and Newcastle.