Sweet: "What's Going on with the Sweet?" Article (1972)

Sweet’s "What's Going on with the Sweet?", a two-page article in Bravo Magazine, September 13, 1972.

Four beatboys are in the crossfire of wild rumors.

In Belgium, a judge jailed the Sweet for obscene movements on stage. In Düsseldorf, Andy's sheer pants burst during the performance. "The boys are constantly drunk," claims a promoter in Hamburg.

"Their bus is full of groupies on every tour," reveals a roadie from Stockholm. What's the truth behind these scandalous stories? BRAVO reporter Jörg Flemming found out in London – from the Sweet themselves

"A kiss from a groupie is not a mass orgy!" claim Mick Tucker, Brian Connelly, Andy Scott and Steve Priest (from left). Groupie Helen (center) is part of the permanent crew in their tour bus.

We are sitting in the apartment of Michael Chapman, the manager and hitmaker of Sweet, in the West End of London.

A few days ago, I heard the story of Sweet's arrest in Belgium. Shortly before, I had heard that Andy had deliberately burst his pants at a concert in Düsseldorf. That the guys had come on stage in Hamburg completely drunk. And that they had wild orgies with Groupies would have celebrated. I've known Sweet from the beginning. I know they're not exactly happy children. Had their success gone to their heads? I wanted to know for sure, so I flew to London to see the four "culprits." My first question is for Brian: "You've had four hits in a year and a half, you've earned a good million marks. What's the truth behind these scandalous stories?"

Andy is the first to speak. He looks at me seriously. "I don't know where you get these horror stories from," he says slowly. "I can only assure you of one thing: they're all far-fetched. There are people who are jealous of our success. I'll tell you the truth, as it really was."

How did you end up being arrested in Belgium?

"Our show was like everywhere else. Sure, it's sexy when Brian clamps the microphone stand between his legs. But Mick Jagger has been doing that for years, and nobody gets upset. None of us has ever taken our clothes off on stage. That thing with the girls was just bad luck. Thirteen-year-olds, They came on stage and danced. But what can we do if the security staff fails? The cops simply came on stage, grabbed the two girls, and rattled their handcuffs. At four in the morning, after a six-hour interrogation, the girls signed a waiver stating that our show was obscene. After that, we ended up in jail. All because some cop or judge wanted to get one over on us. After six days, the case was dropped, and we were free to go. Those were the worst six days of our lives, believe me."

Is it true that Andy deliberately burst his pants?

"Look at her. Wafer-thin, skin-tight. Looks great, doesn't it? It has to be that way, after all, we're a pop band, right? It's true that my pants burst in Düsseldorf. But I didn't do it on purpose. The thing blew to shreds because the fans tried to drag me off the stage and into the hall!"

What is wrong with your wild Celebrate with groupies

really about it?

"We didn't invent groupies. They exist. They're backstage, they crowd onto the bus, and suddenly appear in your hotel room. Why shouldn't we let them ride along every now and then? Of course, there's some cuddling. But a kiss with a groupie isn't a mass orgy, is it?"

Is it true that you sometimes arrive drunk at your gig?

"It's clear that we like to have a drink like any man. But to say we came on stage completely drunk is pure slander. And we certainly have nothing to do with trips, hashish, or other drugs!"

Four accusations, four justifications. Perhaps what the Sweets said may not sound all that convincing. But I know them. And whether BRAVO readers stone me or not, I believe them.

Photos: W. Heilemann

Jörg Flemming