It's 1974 and like the Cure so aptly put it, its Friday and I'm in LOVE. That's right I'm at the local record store (Brashs) cueing up to buy the third studio album by UK rockers, The Sweet and their break out album, Desolation Boulevard. This glam band from the 70's influenced me as a person, as a budding rebel and as a conscious musician daring to break out of the mold of what was expected of me by my peers and by my parental dynamic.Who could forget the unmistakable smash hits of, Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run, Teenage Rampage and Blockbuster. So in a nut shell these guys were my jam and still grace a top ten spot in my coveted list of all time fav rock acts of the last 40 years.
Desolation Boulevard included original members lead vocalist Brian Connolly, bassist Steve Priest (RIP), guitarist Andy Scott, and drummer Mick Tucker. Formed in 1968, they quickly teamed up with the pop songwriting machine that was Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, with whom they produced bubblegum hits with like “Funny Funny,” “Co-Co,” “Wig-Wam Bam,” and Little Willy to pen a few.”
But by 1974 Sweet wanted to be taken seriously, and in so doing parted ways with Chinn-Chapman, although Desolation Boulevard, or at least the U.S. version (which differed drastically from the English release), consisted of a Side One consisting solely of Chinn-Chapman contributions. While Side2 featured a new tougher, rougher and heavier sound, it won them some real critical respect; indeed, Pete Townshend asked Sweet to open for The Who across the UK on a tour to support "Who's Next". Who could forget the unmistakeable smash hits of, Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run, Teenage Rampage and Blockbuster. So in a nut shell these guys were my jam and still grace a top ten spot in my coveted list of all time fav rock acts of the last 40 years