As per The Express:
The statement read: “Dear Friends and Fans, we have very sad news. Please see the below statement from Steve Priest’s family. Love, Richie, Stevie, Mitch & Paulie…
“‘It is with a heavy heart that we announce at 8:25am PT today, Steve Priest, founding member of The Sweet, passed away.
“He is survived by his wife, Maureen, three daughters, Lisa, Danielle & Maggie and three grandchildren, Jordan, Jade & Hazel.'”
The Sweet (also known as Sweet) are a British glam rock and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Connolly, bass player Steve, guitarist Andy Scott, and drummer Mick Tucker.
The group was originally called Sweetshop and formed in 1968.
The band first achieved success in the UK charts, with thirteen Top 20 hits during the 1970s alone, with Block Buster topping the charts.
Fans have flocked to social media to offer their condolences, to the news.
One person said: “Sad news from the music industry. Steve Priest, the Bass player from the 70’s British glam rock band the Sweet, has passed on today. He was my favourite band member. RIP to this music legend. Condolences to his family and friends.”
“I love Sweet & a loved Steve Priest . He always seemed like he had the best job in world & had a blast being a ROCK STAR & also enjoying the absurdity of being a rock star #RIPStevePriest,” another social media user remarked.
A third person added: “Very sad to hear that Steve Priest of (The) Sweet has passed away. Genuinely one of my all-time pop heroes. Embodied the essence of Glam: effeminate, but menacing. The original Stormtrooper In Drag.”
A fourth social media user tweeted: “Sad to hear of the passing of Steve Priest. I always remember the Sweet on Top of the pops playing Blockbuster and Steve turning to the camera, pouting ‘We just haven’t got a clue what to do.'”
As well as playing bass guitar for the band, Steve also provided backing vocals and was known for his distinctive high pitched sound.
When Brian quit the band in 1979, Steve stood in as lead singer.
The Sweet continued on for another two years before going their separate ways.
Steve later relocated with his family to Los Angeles and turned down the offer to reform the band in the 1980s when asked by Andy Scott.
He formed his own version of the band in 2008 with guitarist Stuart Smith, Richie Onori on drums, Stevie Stewart on the keyboard and Joe Retta as the front-man and vocalist.
In 1994, Steve released his autobiography, Are You Ready Steve?, with the title being inspired by the intro to The Ballroom Blitz.
The original band also had success with songs such as Hell Raiser, Teenage Rampage and The Ballroom Blitz – which was inspired by the band being bottled off stage while performing in Scotland.
It was during the 1970s that the band achieved global success too, hitting the top of the charts in countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, South Africa and the Netherlands.
The bass player is survived by his wife and children.
