In Memoriam: Steve Priest
Steve Priest, who co-founded the glam rock band Sweet, has passed away at the age of 72. The news was shared by his bandmate Andy Scott on social media.
“I am in pieces right now. Steve Priest has passed away. 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,” he wrote. “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.”
Priest was born in Hayes, West London, and built his first bass guitar when he was a teenager. He played with a handful of bands before forming The Sweet in 1968 with guitarist Frank Torpey, drummer Mick Tucker, and vocalist Brian Connolly. The addition of Scott in 1970 solidified their lineup, which scored hits with songs like “Wig-Wam Bam,” “Little Willy,” and “Ballroom Blitz,” featuring Priest singing the pre-chorus.
Connolly left the band in 1978, leaving lead vocal duties to be shared by Priest and Scott. The band would dissolve in 1981 and Scott left the music world. He would eventually get back into it, performing as Steve Priest’s Sweet from 2006 on.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Steve Priest.
