A reconstituted Sweet is preparing to hit the road again and continue work on its first album in decades – and will squeeze in an appearance at Pollstar’s 20th anniversary Concert Industry Awards party Jan. 30 in Los Angeles while they’re at it.
The 70s chart-toppers, with such hits as “Ballroom Blitz,” “Fox on the Run,” “Love is Like Oxygen” and “Little Willy,” are dedicating the 2009 tour to the memories of original vocalist Brian Connolly, who died in 1998, and drummer Mike Tucker, who died four years later.
The “Are You Ready Steve?” tour kicks off Jan. 29 at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., before heading up the coast to the Pollstar party at L.A. Live’s Club Nokia the next night to present an award and no doubt get some valuable face time with many of the concert industry’s movers and shakers.
Sweet then returns to the road at The Brixton in Redondo Beach, Calif. (Jan. 31), Mae West Theatre in Moose Jaw, Canada (Feb. 26), Casino Regina, Canada (Feb. 27), and the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, Calif. (March 13). More dates will be announced shortly.
The original Sweet was formed in the U.K. by bassist/vocalist Steve Priest, Connolly, Tucker and guitarist Frank Torpey (who was later replaced by Andy Scott), and is credited with paving the way for Queen and Electric Light Orchestra with its high-pitched harmonies.