The Sweet - Brian Connolly - Don't leave me this way 3 - 1996

[kink66]

lesson- that's what happens when you take drugs!

[joselebeer]

From Top of the Pops to Butlins. Jesus.... how sad and tragic. Brian looked wrecked with nerve damage from alcoholism and a shell of a man. Such a loss of dignity and a sad end to someone's life.

[Guderian1939]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[townwood]

@Guderian1939 Sleep well

[brainmicky]

brian was the best brian is the best fuck andy scott

[brainmicky]

fuck andy scott 

[SuperLibertymoon]

Poor Brian looks terrible in this video. He looks like the walking dead. so sad what he did to himself. my dad did the same thing. I loved Brian's voice. he was and always will be an awesome singer. R.I.P. Brian. at least he's out of pain now.

[erin0563]

Brian got a copy of this video an hour or so be4 it was aired - too late to stop it. Don't know what the hell the producers thought by cutting it this way. All interviews were torn into bits n pieces n put together totally wrong. It did great damage to all members of Sweet and it killed Brian, who just couldn't take it any more. It was too much for this sensible man. He had to start from the scratch - and made it! What a man! What a personality! R.I.P. Brian - in our hearts you'll live on 4ever.

[garyography]

Tragic, a sad loss, sad to see such talent thrown away. An awesome band.

[lawman193]

so sad.. it breaks my heart

[Holmer87]

2:48 after BLOCKBUSTEER, love that smile on his face!! Hope he´s out of all suffering now.. One of the best singers/frontmen of all time imo!

[MrPjwear]

Unforgotten Brian - this is the price to pay in the music buiseness- if you give everything to us - give all - to stay allive with your music ... and you will !!

[FXMAN66]

Tragic!!!

[townwood]

God bless you...

Love Mik.

[bobbeyderbrain]

Sweet were the only band who made my insides quiver when I listened to every new release...Saw them at Sheffield City Hall and still have the ticket stub...they were awesome....God bless 'em all...Magic thry were...pure magic...

[dmuse1981]

One of the greatest front men ever. brian gave his heart and soul to his songs. Someone should have helped him!!!

[townwood]

@dmuse1981 So true...

[walter4092]

@dmuse1981 in june 74 when Sweet was stil a great band with lot of hits coming up , Brian was attacked by some guys ,they kicked him very hard un his throat .

[walter4092]

@dmuse1981 CONTINUE .Steve wrote in his book ,it was planned to happen , some people did nt like Brian and wa

[Sladedestiny]

Unfortunately the result of excess.Booze,drugs and abusing his health for years. Something had to give.

[andytrex]

So sad to see Brian Connolly's decline. The Sweet were a great band producing a string of brilliant singles. Part of the soundtrack of my teenage years.

[newcastlerabbit1]

quite upset looking at this,but thanks for posting.

[statusquo609h3]

repose en paix brian tu etait le meilleur doux souvenir

[townwood]

@statusquo609h3 Je suis sûr que tu as raison

[ztormar]

allow me a smile, "get rid" of Brian, good luck sweet!

[tazztheterrible]

so sad!

[fleadle34]

I feel like crying, bless his mind !

[LustingSvenska]

after watching this all i want to say is...thank you Brian for one helluva ride in rock history...loved all The Sweets songs...R.I.P. (rock in peace) sweet prince...

[nigelwright7557]

BC Sweet was better that AS Sweet.

It was Brian who made the Sweet sound great.

Guitarists are ten a penny great singers arent.

Andy had some pretty duff singers after Brian went.

[robharding1957]

everything in moderation,,thats an ideal concept,,unfortunately in brians case it wasnt possible, he had issues like most of us do,, and sought solice in alcohol,, again like most of us do,,l dont think he could avoid it,,a nice guy nevertheless,great front man who had real guts right to the end,,,he was to sweet what noddy holder was to slade,,,irreplacable,,,

[moonsault2506123]

thank god i've never been a big drinker.

[townwood]

@moonsault2506123 Cheers to you!!!

[mmarriaa1345]

idk why i cried...

[sylvie833]

this video makes me so sad i cry but feel compelled to watch it like i cant beleive it just want to cuddle brian he was so lovely and made my teenage years good bless you brian sing on in heaven xx

[TheHumbuckerboy]

I remember being shocked but also deeply moved when this documentary was first screened in October 1996. It was hard to imagine how Brian could have declined so severely from his heyday.I videoed the documentary and watched it over and over again in admiration of BC's drive and sheer courage !!!

[Badfingerbabe777]

Thanks for posting, it is sad to see Brian in this shape, he was so handsome in his younger years...God Bless you Brian..

[townwood]

@Badfingerbabe777 Brian was a great talent... And without him there is no Sweet...-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Badfingerbabe777]

@townwood Thanks for the reply, I agree there is no more Sweet without Brian, he was the heart and soul of Sweet. Do you know if the new book "Blockbuster" is worth reading? I read Steve's book and it was great, and very naughty!

[townwood]

@Badfingerbabe777 Hi. I agree, Steve's book is great.

I've just started reading Blockbuster,

and so far I think it is one of the better biography's of the Sweet.

So I can recommend you reading it.

Cheers.

[Badfingerbabe777]

@townwood Hi. Thanks again! I will order the book soon. Hope it has alot of pictures as well. Wish there were bands like this nowdays. I need a time machine back to the 70s!!

[townwood]

@Badfingerbabe777 A time machine, that sounds great. Maybe we could travel together!

Lots of love from Denmark.

[greyboyz]

How Sad..I wonder how Brian's real parents thought..We all get dealt a hand and do the best we can and i'm sure Brian coped as best he could x

[townwood]

@greyboyz We'll never know about his parents, they're gone now?

Without even knowing Brian, I believe he was a very SWEET man, with a big heart, but needed all the love he could get. Unfortunately he didn't find that in Andy. I don't know about Steve?

Cheers

Mik.

[Vintagedude]

Besides being a huge Sweet fan, I feel this film was really well made- Im a filmmaker and I can appreciate all the work that went into this film. Have you showed it on any networks or is it on DVD?

[townwood]

@Vintagedude Hi. This documentary was shown on Channel 4 in 1996. A very sad end to a big talent and great performer. The Sweet was nothing without Brian... and both Andy and Steve know that!!!

[GirlFag70ies]

only positive comments allowed? ok

Brian i love you

[finmarc]

this IS one of the saddest uploads I`ve ever seen. tears in my eyes, how sad life can end...one of the 1st heroes of my life (think I was 5 or so).

RIP Brian...

[piekiewiekie]

said finish of a great pop group !!!! The Sweet wasn't the sweet anymore without Brian : There where my idols in the 70' and still are !

[MickeyLove01]

From those few twin lead notes in Oxygen, you can feel that it was the end of the band.

[ChuckieInMT]

This is a very real look at life on the road and how hard the 70's coulda been. Thanks, Townwood, as this is part of what has shaped our world. Kewl that you had Nicola help you with the project, too -

[corazonmanosypies]

I prefer remembering Brian with his best image, that of the good times, which I take in my heart forever when I listen to THE SWEET

[CatherineInRock]

Great thanks for posting this. Although this documentary deserves every criticism that was mentioned in the comments, there's never enough of documentary stuff on Sweet. They deserve so much more coverage and homage paid to them. I wish smn made a Sweet doc talking about the MUSIC, their most important legacy. The talent was so huge. Somehow media always overlooks that part of the matter with Sweet.

[calver54]

The Sweet. Thanks for the memories ........

[Dolfijnenballet66]

I was crying when I saw this video.

We all know this can be the other part of fame.

I only can have a lot of warmth , love and respect for this people and their families, also for Brian.

They gave everything from themselves.

R.I.P Brian , no pain and illness anymore.

[Dolfijnenballet66]

I was crying when I saw this video.

We all know this can be the other part of fame.

I only can have a lot of warmth , love and respect for this people and their families, also for Brian.

They gave everything from themselves.

R.I.P Brian , no pain and illness anymore.

[21pinch]

Imagine if the band decided to help Brian [get him to help himself, like friends are supposed to do] instead of allowing Andy to oust him from his own band and make him even worse off than he already was.

We probably would've had to wait a little longer for "Cut Above" but just think how cool it would've been with a clean & sober Brian and a revitalized Sweet! Then after that, instead of a turd like "Water's Edge" [Sweet 6], we may have gotten another "Off The Record"! Wink not, want not.

[21pinch]

I tend to believe Stevie & Brian concerning Andy.

From the song credits written by Andy alone [instead of the whole band], Lady Starlight [Andy Scott solo] to the complete takeover on Level Headed. Andy was looking for more than Krugerrands and just being known as the guitar player for Sweet with the high voice. He wanted credibility and respect [which he already had and then lost by getting rid of Brian]. Identity crisis indeed.

[estellekarmann68]

@21pinch

"ANDY WANTED HIM OUT OF THE BAND ANYWAY, FOR WHATEVER REASONS..."Thats what Steve said. Is there any more word to say about this phoney guy Andy Scott who was responsiblre fo the following crises of Brian. And he should have known better, that Brian needed the Band. But for Andy that was a non-profit-thing. I will ever hate him for ruin the best, nicest person in the world.

[jannestark]

GREAT, but sad documentary! My first favourite band ever!

[rubberdildos]

Brian connolly was Sweet the rest were just there !

without him = nothing.

[rocker70sman]

I Feel really sad watching the end of that. I hate seeing brian in his last days in that condition. no one deserves that! he seems like such a good guy. I wihs i could of met him before he left earth. Rest in peace brother i hope your in a better place!

[rocker70sman]

Such sad footage. Brian is so weak it makes me sad. I hope your in a better place my friend. RIP brian. Your always rocking out in my life! :)

[seilling]

God bless you Dear Andy

[abomb13]

wow!

[plusBln]

his sad eyes...

[Nitatuti]

It was real history of man... best glam singer ....... Sweet's man Brian Connolly... RIP

[MadameLil]

At least things healed between Brian & the others before he passed. That's what matters to me.

Thanks for posting this doc.

[paisleygerry]

They should be on Ready Steady Cook ....first they say once you've fried an egg etc and then the other one says he can't unscramble an egg .....they seem obsessed with eggs........as they watched poor Brian boil and crack ......he should have been given more help.

[GTWHITEFEVER]

Alcoholism kills ....personality conflict doesnt come into it ....

[townwood]

@GTWHITEFEVER That depends on so many things… so don't be so sure!

[townwood]

@unlikeanyotherhuman Hi. No that's it.

Cheers



[townwood]

@unlikeanyotherhuman Hi. I totally agree. Personality conflicts are about the worst a band can experience. Regardless musical talents! I've been there myself.

Cheers.

[johnnyyen]

Gosh, that was sad. Brian Connolly was a great frontman, and The Sweet made some amazing singles. Shame.

[mitts61]

2:55 that's the face of a fifty year old? I had no idea he was so ill. Oh my.

[stevegainesthehero]

thanks for posting...

[kennyrandernielsen10]

Danmark Her. Tak for en god Video...Kenny Rander Danmark.

Thanks for video.

[iFabianRS]

Brian! I wish I could travel in time and help you!! But too bad, I was born in 1995...

[Dawn1959]

I have been a Sweet fan since I heard Little Willy played on American Bandstand.I watched it every weekend for weeks just to hear that song as they had not released the 45 rpm at that time.I do have some anomosity towards Andy,you dont turn your back on your friends.Andy was NOT an original member and I do feel at times he tried to undermine Brian..,as with what he did with Love is Like Oxygen.He let none of the band members know about that song.RIP BRIAN YOU ARE LOVED AND MISSED!THKS 4 POSTING.

[music8stuart]

nice one townwood.great memories here.

[Vince1303]

"Andy just wanted him out of the band........for whatever reason" What a lovely guy. He wasn't very complimentary to him in this video either. Shame on him.

[beamerZ]

I've seen this doc three times now [ being a fan since the 70's ] and i feel the producers of this shock-doc make BC look bad; shame on them. Respectless.

Brian seems to come alive and still enjoyed being on stage :)

In the book ''the man who sang blockbuster'' from Brian Manly this doc was mentioned : Brian was heartbroken when this was broadcasted... This is not what Brian derserved; i hope another documentary about Sweet will be made , this time by someone who respects them.

[axljimp]

yes i am sure he would do it again,a star right to the end,my thanks go out to all that made parts 1,2 and 3 posible,its a hard fucking life and brian played it fucking hard.please dont take this as an insult,what a guy,he will always be a that handsome blond bombshell who gave us all the glam rock which will never be forgoten.happy 4th of july tommorrow.

[TWENTIETHCENTURYBABY]

Nice to see this again, I recorded it when it was show on channel4 but accidentally taped over it a few weeks later. It brought tears to my eyes then and again now. R.I.P Brian and Mick.

[TBBSWEET]

I like Brian.. and I like him forever!!!

So long I´ll be on this planet... he is never forgot!!!

This Doku show´s how he really was in his last days...

terrifined - but nothing is harder then the truth...

but in my heart - there is always a half for brian,

and the other half I share with my friends.

I want to say... Brian, you was still the best singer and performer - EVER

And if God looks like you - old and wise....

I know I´m in good hands when I came to you....

R.I.P. Brian

[cplegogame25]

thank you for sharing this video. sweet was a terrific band and underrated. my heart breaks watching brian. he rocked to the end. he had demons to fight and seemed to be lost and looked for acceptance in his music, which is received. andy didn't help any by constantly harping him & was pissed off that they never got to tour w/the who and for that, blamed it on brian. (from what i've read)

[MrsMillwall]

Please look at my comments on part 2 of this documentry. Thank you, Ian's Mrs xxx

[1962bine]

I agree with kooldrinks99...very hard to watch for a Sweet Fan :-(

[Susiedancer]

I was completely infatuated with The Sweet and Brian Connelly in particular when I was a teenager. His voice was so pure and beautiful, a juxtaposition to the life he was actually living. It was shocking to come across this video but thank you for posting. Adored by so many but still alone with his demons.

[townwood]

Thanks for your comments. You're so right regarding Brian's poor health.

He must have suffered so much, but still he had to perform because it was all he knew.

He died all too young. R.I.P.

[ToddSweeneyOnce]

@townwood Thanks for the vid townwood. Tell me what you think: Steve seems to feel bad for Brian and his leaving the group. On the other hand, Andy doesn't seem to give a rip. That's my take on it.

[townwood]

@ToddSweeneyOnce That's also my opinion.

But dealing with an alcoholic can be very hard, and perhaps Andy was more concerned on the bands renown and earning money, than taking care of a great talent.

Steve seems to be a more caring person, but again?

Brian died all too young, but fortunately we still has he's music!

[mg196]

@townwood - It wasn't Andy's job to "take care of a great talent." It was his job to be in shape to play. It's not a family...it's a band. Can you imagine what it was like, day of day after night after night to wake Brian up out of his alcoholic stupor in order to play a gig? It had to be maddening.

Anyone who has lived with an alcoholic can tell you it's enough to make everyone else want to drink. Don't blame Andy. In the end, we are all responsible for our own actions (and faults).

[townwood]

@mg196 If you took the time, watching the documentary, you would learn, according to Brian that he and Andy never got along from day one.

I never said it was Andy's job to pick up Brian!

Cheers

[mg196]

@townwood - One thing doesn't have to do with the other. Whether they got along or not, it reached the point where Brian was a drunken mess onstage. The Stones pushed Brian Jones out, The Ramones pushed Marky out...and it was because they were just messin' up due to drugs/drink.

Brian was selfish and chose drink over the band. All alcoholics choose drink over everything else. That is why it destroys so many lives.

[townwood]

@mg196 This could easily be the reason why Brian started drinking, not being able to cope with another person in the band. There are so many reasons why people start drinking. Maybe in Brian's case, not knowing your real parents. Maybe Brian needed more love and compassion from the start, and didn't find it in Andy. I really don't know, but you sound like you were a member of the band! I'm not defending alcoholism; I'm just saying that there is a reason why people start to drink! Show some heart

[mg196]

@townwood - a good article can be found here: guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/­23/sweet-strange-history

[townwood]

@mg196 What does that prove? Don't believe everything you read!

Pop journalism!

[mg196]

@townwood - it doesn't prove anything. It's a good article.

[kooldrinks99]

Thanks for posting! I'm a huge Sweet fan but this was really hard to watch. I've watched Brian in interviews/videos during the mid 90's looking rough but this really captured what living rock star life to the extreem can do to you. RIP Brian.