The British band “The Sweet” gained worldwide fame in the 1970s as one of the three main names in Glam Rock of their era, influencing countless bands in the following decades, such as Kiss, Poison, Guns & Roses and many others.
The band achieved enormous success with 39 #1 singles around the world, including "Ballroom Blitz", "Fox On the Run", "Love Is Like Oxygen", "Little Willy", "No You Don't", "Blockbuster", "Action", "Teenage Rampage" and "AC/DC".
But at the end of the 70s and in The beginning of the 80’s, the four original members, Connolly, Tucker, Andy and Priest, ended up going their separate ways, and with the exception of Tucker, they remained active in different periods with their versions of Sweet and sporadic reunions between the four.
Connoly passed away in 1997, Tucker in 2002, Priest in 2020, leaving only guitarist Andy Scott, who continues with his version of the band, from the original quartet.
STEVE PRIEST put together his version of how he wanted his legacy to be presented and preserved in the future.
From 2007 until his death, the bassist was joined by drummer Richie Onori, keyboardist Stevie Stewart and other great musicians who brought the chemistry he wanted.
After Steve passed away, Richie and Stevie with the blessing of Steve's family and following the idea and will of the legendary bassist, decided to keep the legacy alive.
The current lineup features Richie on drums, Stevie on bass, vocalist Patrick Alan Stone, guitarist Jimmy Burkard and keyboardist Dave Schulz, and The Sweet returned presenting the new single “Little Miracle” and scheduling shows to continue bringing a magical and explosive experience, maintaining the essence of this classic Glam Rock name.
We spoke with RICHIE ONORI, who told us a little more about the continuity of the legacy, and also about his incredible career in music, inspirations and good stories!
RtM: Richie, this is Carlos Garcia from the Road to Metal website (Brazil), thank you for taking the time to answer this interview.
To start, tell us a little about how this idea of continuing the Sweet legacy came about after Steve Priest's passing in 2020. And I believe that Steve's passing must have been a hard blow for you.
Richie Onori: Steve Priest was proud of the band we put together- Regardless of the players that changed from time to time, there was a standard.. He called us dangerous… After his passing and with the blessing of his widow & daughters we all decided to keep the legacy alive per Steve’s vision.
RtM:And how have you felt the acceptance from the fans? Since there is a Sweet version also active with Andy Scott, and you are continuing without Steve, have you ever received or felt any reactions against this continuity?
RO: Of course we receive a varied reaction and emotions from dedicated fans. We love passionate fans. What’s amazing, once a fan or doubter comes to one of our shows, they thank us effusively after they see us appreciate we are keeping the “Sweets” legacy alive. The tide has turned and it’s all about delivering a thrilling and fun show.
RtM: With so many classic bands ending their careers, or getting close to stopping for good, how do you see the future of Classic Rock and what can we do to maintain their legacies?
RO: Well that’s true, the golden age of the 60’s and 70’s are dithering down. When you see tribute bands now taking over in order to deliver the classic songs that changed the world, one realizes that the demands is there.
When Steve reformed the band with us in 2007 we were partnered in as being part of the brand and band and we live and breath it the music as we have for close to two decades. Playing hundreds upon hundreds of shows across the globe which included a South America tour with Journey in 2011, yes San Paulo, Chile, Argentina and Peru… Great tour…
RtM: And in the years when we had the two versions of Sweet, with you with Steve, and Andy with his band, from what I could see there was no friction whatsoever. Tell us a little about this coexistence, if there was any agreement about which countries to play in, and how you felt about the fans' reaction to this.
RO: Yes no friction because it’s all about keeping the legacy alive with the music that changed the world and influenced the worlds biggest bands, from Rock to Punk to Glam to Hair Metal.
 |
| Steve Priest and Sweet on 70's |
RtM: Sweet with Steve Priest was active since 2008, but never released an album with new songs. Why didn't you release new songs?
RO:Actually we were in the midst of finally getting around to it right before Steve passed.
RtM:The band has now released a single and video, “Little Miracle” - which I personally liked a lot - and it has many characteristics of the classic Sweet sound. Tell us a little about this song, and what has the feedback from fans been like?
RO: The feedback from fans & radio stations has been simply amazing to say the least. Everyone in our band writes and we have great material however Stevie & I knew that we needed the right song to start the party. Our producer Dave Jenkins co-wrote “Little Miracle” and we knew that that was the one to carry on into the 21st century.
RtM:Does this new single a signal that you intend to make an album in the near future?
RO: Yes, a series of singles dropping every 6 to ten weeks is the plan.
RtM:Does it all depend on how the song is received and even the demand for your shows?
RO: Plenty of demand for playing live shows… and now “Little Miracle” is a resounding success and is growing each & every day.
RtM: And for the repertoire of the shows, which songs do you think cannot be left out of the set list, otherwise the fans would feel disappointed? And do you have plans to include songs that have not been played so often by Sweet live? Is there any in particular that you would like to include in the sets?
RO: We do it all, a fan never walks away disappointed-we aim to please while blowing the roof off the venue!
RtM: I believe that a new audience is emerging, new bands inspired by classic rock from the 70s, and we have also seen an increase in vinyl sales, and a growing interest from younger people who have "discovered" or rediscovered classic rock. Do you also feel that there is a moment of growth and do you notice new fans at the shows?
RO: Yes, similar to the british blues invasion where the youth scoured the past for the blues legends that created the genre…The youth need our music to not only lift them but also inspire them to create real music that helps guide society with positive messages.
RtM: Talking a little about your great history in music and personal tastes, tell us how you started this journey, who encouraged and inspired you when you started in music.
RO: My Italian family loved music, my mom danced with Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney. She knew I was born to be a performer. My brother was a guitarist and my Dad was like a musicologist. Then came the era of the garage bands and there was no looking back…
RtM: If you were to list 5 albums that you consider essential in the history of Classic Rock, which ones would you choose and why?
The Beatles White album- My first double Album- Jethro Tull -Stand Up- Drummer Clive Bunker * Ian Anderson’s Originality off the charts- Freddy Hubbard “Red Clay” brought a new listening to Jazz; Jimi Hendrix “Are you Experienced” Explosive! The Mahavishnu Orchestra “Inner Mounting Flame” from another planet! And Cream “Wheels of Fire”. Exploration on the art of jamming.
RtM: You have played with many great musicians in your career, such as Steve Lukather, Ronnie Dio, Keith Emerson, Paul Rodgers, Slash and many others. Tell us some interesting facts about what it was like to work with some of these legends, and what you would say was your biggest challenge.
RO: Because of my musical upbringing and dedication to my craft I never felt particularly challenged however I got a call from Toto’s singer Bobby Kimball. He told me if I could learn a complete set of Toto’s songs in three days. I said sure but when’s rehearsal? Bobby said no rehearsal. I’m thinking to myself “Yikes” We flew out for a 10’000 seater show in Illinois.
I pulled it off without a hitch but yes was I fricking nervous, you betcha ya-
RtM: Regarding your solo career, I would like you to give us a brief comment on your albums “Days of Innocence” and “Three Wishes”, where you also show your talents as a vocalist and guitarist, so that our fans in Brazil can get to know a little about these works. And sure, about Heaven and Earth and your amazing 70’s sound.
RO: Thank You and both my solo efforts I will release soon. The Blues Angel is alive and kicking and I can’t wait to show the public of all my works.
I put my heart and soul to create it all and I’m proud of it all. Heaven & Earth was a journey unto itself and I love the tracks I played with Richie Sambora and Joe Lynn Turner which reall stand out.
RtM: Richie, thank you once again for the interview, and we hope to have the opportunity to see you in South America and Brazil.
RO: I love my Latin Brother & Sisters out there and there plenty of time to rock you guys!
Interview by: Carlos Garcia
Thanks to: Richie Onori; Chip Ruggieri - Chipster P.R & Consulting, Inc.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário