1. Brian Francis Connolly was a Scottish singer-songwriter, musician and actor, best known as the lead singer of glam rock band Sweet between 1968 and 1979 and known for his charismatic stage presence and distinctive voice.
25 Facts About Brian Connolly
1. 2.
Brian Connolly's mother was a teenage waitress, Frances Connolly, who left him in a Glasgow hospital as an infant.
3.
Brian Connolly eventually replaced singer Ian Gillan in a band called Wainwright's Gentlemen, which included drummer Mick Tucker.
4.
Tucker and Brian Connolly left Wainwright's Gentlemen in late 1967 and recruited guitarist Frank Torpey, and bassist Steve Priest, naming their new band the Sweetshop.
5.
In 1974, Brian Connolly was badly beaten after leaving a nightclub in Staines where he received several kicks to his throat resulting in his being unable to sing for some time and permanently losing some of his previously wide vocal range.
6.
Brian Connolly developed a significant problem with alcoholism in the mid-1970s.
7.
Brian Connolly played his last British show with the classic Sweet line-up at Hammersmith Odeon, London on 24 February 1978.
8.
Brian Connolly's departure was on 23 February 1979, but was not made public until March 1979.
9.
In 1982 with his Polydor contract expired, Brian Connolly signed with French independent label, Carrere Records.
10.
In January 1983, Brian Connolly supported Pat Benatar for three shows in Birmingham, Newcastle and the Hammersmith Odeon, London.
11.
Brian Connolly sold his house to pay his share of the tax bill.
12.
From early 1984 onward, despite recurrent ill health, Brian Connolly toured the UK and Europe with his band the New Sweet.
13.
Brian Connolly visited other countries including Denmark, and continued to perform sporadically in the UK.
14.
However, during the long flight to Australia, Brian Connolly's suffered health issues and he was hospitalised in Adelaide Hospital for dehydration and related problems.
15.
Brian Connolly returned to England and his band appeared on The Bob Downe Christmas Show, on 18 December 1990.
16.
In 1995, Brian Connolly released a new album, Let's Go, backed up with merchandising.
17.
Brian Connolly informed him that he had a living brother and sister, whom he met up with in England.
18.
Brian Connolly had suffered a series of heart attacks in 1981, and in the documentary was shaking constantly and walking with a limp.
19.
In 1981, Brian Connolly was admitted to hospital with bloating, and he sustained multiple heart attacks.
20.
Brian Connolly's health was permanently affected with some paralysis on his left side which would later develop into a nervous system condition.
21.
In January 1997, Brian Connolly had a heart attack and was hospitalised in Slough.
22.
Brian Connolly died at Wexham Park Hospital on 10 February 1997, as a result of kidney and liver failure and repeated heart attacks.
23.
On 17 February 1997, Brian Connolly was cremated after a ceremony at Most Holy Name Roman Catholic Church at Old Mill Road, Denham, Buckinghamshire.
24.
Brian Connolly's ashes were scattered over the water by his daughters Nicola and Michelle.
25.
Brian Connolly was survived by his ex-wife, Marilyn, his girlfriend Jean and their one-year-old son Brian, born 26 May 1995.