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Album Information:



Album ID: 9871

About Sweet:

Sweet is a British rock band that was formed in the early 1970s. The band originally consisted of Brian Connolly, Steve Priest, Andy Scott, and Mick Tucker. Sweet rose to fame in the UK during the glam rock era and had a string of hits throughout the 70s, including 'Ballroom Blitz,' 'Fox on the Run,' and 'Block Buster!' The band's music was characterized by upbeat rock anthems, catchy choruses, and flamboyant stage costumes.

Brian Connolly was the lead singer of Sweet and was known for his powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence. Steve Priest played bass guitar and provided backing vocals, while Andy Scott played lead guitar and Mick Tucker played drums. The band's lineup remained relatively stable throughout the 70s, but they experienced several personal and professional challenges, including drug and alcohol abuse, legal disputes, and creative differences.

Despite these challenges, Sweet continued to release hit songs and albums throughout the 70s. Their signature song, 'Ballroom Blitz,' was released in 1973 and topped the charts in several countries. Other notable hits include 'Fox on the Run,' 'Block Buster!,' 'Love Is Like Oxygen,' and 'Little Willy.' Sweet's music also influenced many other artists, including Kiss, whose song 'Detroit Rock City' was inspired by 'Ballroom Blitz.'

In the late 70s, Sweet's popularity began to decline, and the band members went their separate ways. Brian Connolly left the band in 1979 to pursue a solo career, and he tragically passed away in 1997 at the age of 51. Steve Priest continued to perform with various incarnations of Sweet until his death in 2020, while Andy Scott has continued to tour and record with his own version of the band.

Overall, Sweet was a hugely influential band during the glam rock era, known for their catchy, energetic, and flamboyant music. While their success was short-lived, their music has continued to resonate with fans for decades and has helped shape the course of rock and roll history.

About the album Desolation Boulevard:

Desolation Boulevard is the third studio album by the British rock band Sweet, released in 1974. The album showcases the band's hard rock and glam rock sound, and is considered by many music critics and fans to be one of their best works.

The album kicks off with the classic hit single, 'Ballroom Blitz.' The song starts with a rhythmic chant, followed by a thunderous riff and explosive drums. The chorus is catchy and easily singable, and features high-pitched backing vocals that became a signature sound of the band. The song has a driving energy and a rebellious spirit that made it a staple of classic rock radio.

The second track, 'The Six Teens,' is a melodramatic ballad that tells the story of teenage romance and heartbreak. The song features rich harmonies and orchestration, and showcases the band's ability to craft a complex and emotional composition.

Other highlights of the album include 'Fox on the Run,' a fast-paced rocker with a memorable guitar riff and a catchy chorus, 'No You Don't,' an upbeat song with frontman Brian Connolly's trademark snarl and wail, and 'Sweet F.A.,' a groovy track with a funky bassline and a psychedelic guitar solo.

Desolation Boulevard also features a cover of the classic song 'The Man with the Golden Arm,' which was originally composed for the 1955 movie of the same name. Sweet's version features a modernized arrangement that mixes rock, jazz, and funk elements, and showcases the band's musical diversity and experimentation.

Overall, Desolation Boulevard is a classic album that defines the sound and style of the glam rock era. With its hard-hitting riffs, catchy hooks, and dramatic ballads, the album remains a beloved and influential work of 70s rock music.

Members:

Sweet is a British glam rock band that formed in the late 1960s. The band has gone through several line-up changes over the years, but the original members are widely recognized as the key members of the band. Here are brief biographies of all the key members of Sweet:

1. Brian Connolly (1945-1997): Brian Connolly was the lead vocalist of Sweet and one of the founding members of the band. He was born in Scotland and began his career as a teen heart-throb in the early 1960s. He met drummer Mick Tucker and bassist Steve Priest in London in 1968, and they formed Sweet soon after. Connolly's high-pitched vocals and flamboyant stage presence helped make Sweet one of the most successful glam rock bands of the 1970s. He left the band in 1979 to pursue a solo career and struggled with personal demons throughout the 1980s. He passed away in 1997 due to liver failure.

2. Mick Tucker (1947-2002): Mick Tucker was the drummer of Sweet and another founding member of the band. He was born in London and began playing drums at a young age. He met Brian Connolly and Steve Priest in the late 1960s and formed Sweet soon after. Tucker was known for his powerful drumming style and his impressive double bass drumming technique. He wrote several successful Sweet songs, including 'Love Is Like Oxygen' and 'Fox on the Run.' Tucker left the band in the 1980s due to health issues and passed away in 2002 from leukemia.

3. Steve Priest (1948-2020): Steve Priest was the bassist and backing vocalist of Sweet and another founding member of the band. He was born in London and began playing bass guitar in his teens. He formed Sweet with Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker and played an important role in the band's success. Priest was known for his distinctive look, including his long hair and kohl-lined eyes. He also wrote several Sweet songs, including 'Ballroom Blitz' and 'Blockbuster!' Priest left the band in 1981 and went on to form his own group. He passed away in 2020 due to complications from pneumonia.

4. Andy Scott (b. 1949): Andy Scott is a guitarist and vocalist who joined Sweet in 1970 after the departure of original guitarist Frank Torpey. He was born in Wales and began playing guitar at a young age. Scott's addition to the band helped solidify Sweet's sound and image. He wrote several hit songs for the band, including 'Action' and 'The Six Teens.' Scott has continued to perform as Sweet in various line-ups over the years, and he still tours today.

While there were many other members of Sweet over the years, these four key members are widely credited with creating Sweet's unique sound and image and making them one of the most successful glam rock bands of all time.

Track List for Desolation Boulevard:

1. 'The Six Teens' (4:03) - a catchy and upbeat opening track with heavy guitar riffs and iconic harmonies. The lyrics tell the story of six friends coming of age and dealing with the struggles of young adulthood.

2. 'Solid Gold Brass' (5:29) - a heavier and more experimental track with intense guitar solos and a powerful rock sound. The lyrics delve into themes of fame and fortune, and the sacrifices that come with success.

3. 'Turn It Down' (3:30) - a mid-tempo, guitar-driven track with a memorable chorus and catchy hooks. The lyrics are a plea to turn down the noise and chaos of the world and find some inner peace.

4. 'Medusa' (4:44) - a dark and brooding track with hypnotic guitar riffs and haunting vocals. The lyrics draw on Greek mythology to tell the story of the mythical creature Medusa and her deadly stare.

5. 'Lady Starlight' (3:12) - a softer and more melodic track with gentle guitar chords and ethereal vocals. The lyrics describe the beauty and mystery of a starry night sky.

6. 'The Man with the Golden Arm' (8:31) - the longest and most complex track on the album, featuring intricate guitar solos and a variety of musical styles. The lyrics are based on the novel of the same name, exploring the struggles of a jazz musician and his battle with drug addiction.

7. 'Fox on the Run' (3:25) - a high-energy and infectious track with a driving beat and memorable chorus. The lyrics tell the story of a femme fatale who steals the heart of the narrator and leaves him longing for more.

8. 'Breakdown' (3:02) - a short and punchy track with fast-paced guitar riffs and a driving rhythm. The lyrics describe the feeling of being on the brink of a mental breakdown and struggling to hold it together.

9. 'My Generation' (3:58) - a cover of the classic song by The Who, with Sweet putting their own spin on the track with their signature guitar sound and catchy vocals. The lyrics are a defiant declaration of youth and rebellion.

10. 'The Ballroom Blitz' (4:03) - the most iconic and recognizable track on the album, with its infectious guitar riff and memorable chorus. The lyrics tell the wild and crazy story of a chaotic night at a rock concert.

Discography for Sweet:

Here is the complete discography for the artist Sweet in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:
1. Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be (1971)
2. Sweet Fanny Adams (1974)
3. Desolation Boulevard (1974)
4. Strung Up (1975)
5. Give Us a Wink (1976)
6. Off the Record (1977)
7. Level Headed (1978)
8. Cut Above the Rest (1979)
9. Waters Edge (1980)
10. Identity Crisis (1982)
11. Sweet 16 (1989)
12. Live at the Marquee (1991)

Singles:
1. 'Funny Funny' (1971)
2. 'Co-Co' (1971)
3. 'Alexander Graham Bell' (1971)
4. 'Poppa Joe' (1972)
5. 'Little Willy' (1972)
6. 'Wig-Wam Bam' (1972)
7. 'Block Buster!' (1973)
8. 'Hell Raiser' (1973)
9. 'Ballroom Blitz' (1973)
10. 'Teenage Rampage' (1974)
11. 'The Six Teens' (1974)
12. 'Turn It Down' (1974)
13. 'Fox on the Run' (1975)
14. 'Action' (1975)
15. 'Love Is Like Oxygen' (1978)
16. 'California Nights' (1978)
17. 'Call Me' (1981)
18. 'It's It's...' (1982)

Other releases:
1. 'The Sweet Singles Album' (1975)
2. 'Greatest Hits' (1977)
3. 'The Golden Greats' (1977)
4. 'The Very Best of Sweet' (1998)

Note: This list may not include every release by Sweet, but it includes the most significant releases.