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Suzi Quatro in the 1970s: Decades
The Sweet's look, sound and attitude became an instantly recognisable hallmark of the early 1970s glam rock era.
But the band did not start the 1970s as a glam band and certainly didn't finish as one. This book charts the band's journey through the decade that made them a household name, from their initial rise as purveyors of manufactured, bubblegum pop to their metamorphosis into harder-edged glam rock icons.
The Sweet in the 1970s takes a look at both their successes and their struggles in their quest to be recognised as a more serious rock act in the latter part of the decade, once the sparkle of glam and glitter had begun to pale. The decade saw them score fifteen UK Top 40 singles, release seven studio albums and tour several continents. Unlike many bands of the era personnel changes were few. The Sweet begin the 1970s with the arrival of new guitarist, Andy Scott, and end the decade with the departure of frontman, Brian Connolly, and an ultimately ill-fated attempt to continue as a three-piece.
This book is an unashamed celebration of the music of the Sweet and charts the lasting impact they had on many of the bands than followed them.
But the band did not start the 1970s as a glam band and certainly didn't finish as one. This book charts the band's journey through the decade that made them a household name, from their initial rise as purveyors of manufactured, bubblegum pop to their metamorphosis into harder-edged glam rock icons.
The Sweet in the 1970s takes a look at both their successes and their struggles in their quest to be recognised as a more serious rock act in the latter part of the decade, once the sparkle of glam and glitter had begun to pale. The decade saw them score fifteen UK Top 40 singles, release seven studio albums and tour several continents. Unlike many bands of the era personnel changes were few. The Sweet begin the 1970s with the arrival of new guitarist, Andy Scott, and end the decade with the departure of frontman, Brian Connolly, and an ultimately ill-fated attempt to continue as a three-piece.
This book is an unashamed celebration of the music of the Sweet and charts the lasting impact they had on many of the bands than followed them.
160 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 1, 2021
An excellent overview of the Sweet, appraising the band's 70s output and tracking the band's ups and downs during that decade.
Well researched and referenced too, with the final part of the book giving a whistle stop tour of what the band did from 1980 to the present day.
Well researched and referenced too, with the final part of the book giving a whistle stop tour of what the band did from 1980 to the present day.
August 5, 2021
This book - currently the only book about the band in print as far as I'm aware - is an excellent overview of the greatest of the Glam Rock bands. Focusing mostly on the music it examines the entire musical output of the original Sweet although, as the title suggests, the 70s is the decade that gets the most attention. The comments on the various albums and singles are all pretty fair although with music being such a subjective thing I didn't always agree with the author.
I'd have liked a bit more about the personalities involved and the bands history but that wasn't really the aim of this book.
I'd have liked a bit more about the personalities involved and the bands history but that wasn't really the aim of this book.
December 13, 2021
Nice trove of technical information on the albums, singles and other recordings. Would have preferred less of the author inserting his own opinion of particular tracks. To each his or her own (I LOVE "Funk it Up" and "Strong Love")!!!
Also, way way way too kind to Steve's second wife. What she's allowing his former bandmates to do now is disgusting and vulturish. Darren needs to read the comments on the Sweet Facebook groups more carefully.
Also, way way way too kind to Steve's second wife. What she's allowing his former bandmates to do now is disgusting and vulturish. Darren needs to read the comments on the Sweet Facebook groups more carefully.
October 14, 2025
Do you want to know about Sweet in the 60s or 80s? If you do this isn’t the book for you (although both decades are covered briefly so you are told how the story starts and ends) but the 70s were always the only decade where the Sweet really mattered. Engagingly told and well detailed (I learned a lot). Recommend
May 25, 2026
Those who have even passing familiarity with 1970s rock music will likely know three Sweet songs: “Little Willy,” “Ballroom Blitz,” and “Fox on the Run.” Now that at least one of those earworms is probably lodged in your head, I can steer you toward Darren Johnson’s The Sweet in the 1970s, an installment in Sonic Bond’s UK-published Decades series.
Johnson’s research and writing demonstrate that The Sweet (later simply Sweet) were far more than a bubblegum pop or singles band. While the group’s early hits leaned into bubblegum, many of those singles were backed with surprisingly hard-rocking B-sides. Over time, Sweet expanded into glam rock, hard rock, and even material influenced by prog rock and disco.
For most of the 1970s, the band maintained its classic lineup: vocalist Brian Connolly, bassist Steve Priest, guitarist Andy Scott, and drummer Mick Tucker. Johnson traces the band’s musical evolution while providing lively commentary and context for every single, album, and major career development.
The Sweet in the 1970s is clearly a labor of love devoted to an often underrated band. I’ve long enjoyed reading Darren's Music Blog, and this book showcases the same enthusiasm, knowledge, and appreciation for overlooked corners of rock history that make his writing so engaging.
Johnson’s research and writing demonstrate that The Sweet (later simply Sweet) were far more than a bubblegum pop or singles band. While the group’s early hits leaned into bubblegum, many of those singles were backed with surprisingly hard-rocking B-sides. Over time, Sweet expanded into glam rock, hard rock, and even material influenced by prog rock and disco.
For most of the 1970s, the band maintained its classic lineup: vocalist Brian Connolly, bassist Steve Priest, guitarist Andy Scott, and drummer Mick Tucker. Johnson traces the band’s musical evolution while providing lively commentary and context for every single, album, and major career development.
The Sweet in the 1970s is clearly a labor of love devoted to an often underrated band. I’ve long enjoyed reading Darren's Music Blog, and this book showcases the same enthusiasm, knowledge, and appreciation for overlooked corners of rock history that make his writing so engaging.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews