Steve Priest — a founding member and the bass player for U.K. glam-rock heroes Sweet — has died. His passing was confirmed today by bandmate Andy Scott, who broke the sad news. While an exact cause of death is not immediately clear, Priest was 72.
"I am in pieces right now. Steve Priest has passed away," Scott wrote. "His wife Maureen and I have kept in contact and though his health was failing I never envisaged this moment. Never. My thoughts are with his family x."
Scott added: "He was the best bass player I ever played with. The noise we made as a band was so powerful. From that moment in the summer of 1970 when set off on our Musical Odyssey the world opened up and the rollercoaster ride started! He eventually followed his heart and moved to the USA. First New York then LA.
"Rest in Peace brother. All my love."
Born on February 23, 1948, Priest grew up in Hayes, Middlesex, where he grew up playing in several local bands. In 1968, Priest helped form Sweet — or the Sweet — alongside vocalist Brian Connolly, drummer Mick Tucker, and guitarist Frank Torpey, who would be replaced by Mick Stewart and eventually Andy Scott.
By the '70s, Sweet skyrocketed to worldwide fame, with 1971's "Funny Funny" standing as their first hit. This soon led to a long string of chart hits, including "The Ballroom Blitz," "Block Buster!,"" Teenage Rampage," "Turn It Down" and "Fox on the Run."
By 1979, Connolly left Sweet to pursue a solo career, with the remaining members continuing as a trio until officially disbanding in 1981.
In the years following Sweet's first breakup, Sweet would engage in various reunion activities — many of which included Priest. With Connolly dying in 1997, Tucker in 2002 and now Priest, Scott remains the only surviving member of Sweet's classic '70s lineup.
You will find Scott's post about Priest's passing below, where you will also find a selection of Sweet highlights.
"I am in pieces right now. Steve Priest has passed away," Scott wrote. "His wife Maureen and I have kept in contact and though his health was failing I never envisaged this moment. Never. My thoughts are with his family x."
Scott added: "He was the best bass player I ever played with. The noise we made as a band was so powerful. From that moment in the summer of 1970 when set off on our Musical Odyssey the world opened up and the rollercoaster ride started! He eventually followed his heart and moved to the USA. First New York then LA.
"Rest in Peace brother. All my love."
Born on February 23, 1948, Priest grew up in Hayes, Middlesex, where he grew up playing in several local bands. In 1968, Priest helped form Sweet — or the Sweet — alongside vocalist Brian Connolly, drummer Mick Tucker, and guitarist Frank Torpey, who would be replaced by Mick Stewart and eventually Andy Scott.
By the '70s, Sweet skyrocketed to worldwide fame, with 1971's "Funny Funny" standing as their first hit. This soon led to a long string of chart hits, including "The Ballroom Blitz," "Block Buster!,"" Teenage Rampage," "Turn It Down" and "Fox on the Run."
By 1979, Connolly left Sweet to pursue a solo career, with the remaining members continuing as a trio until officially disbanding in 1981.
In the years following Sweet's first breakup, Sweet would engage in various reunion activities — many of which included Priest. With Connolly dying in 1997, Tucker in 2002 and now Priest, Scott remains the only surviving member of Sweet's classic '70s lineup.
You will find Scott's post about Priest's passing below, where you will also find a selection of Sweet highlights.
