Dear Sirs, I am writing from Bulgaria to thank you for a wonderful site. I heard Sweet's music for the first time when I was 13. I have no idea whether you are acquainted with the situation in my country but back then times were quite different. When I was a teenager Bulgaria was completely cut off from the rest of the world. We could not have things most common in other countries - things such as jeans, real chocolate, cassette players and likewise could be bought at special shops which were accessible by few only. We could get Sweet's records as well as other 70s bands' albums only by the help of those few people who had the opportunity to travel round Europe. Such records were spread round by hand only and were 'illegal'. We had no idea that such kind of music was called glam rock, we had never heard of 'sex, drugs and rock and roll', we had no MTV, we had no live concert video players, nor could we ever dream of traveling to the 'west' to be at concerts. We could not understand the songs' lyrics very well, we just listened to the music, to the voices and to us it meant a lot - it was like taking a breath of fresh air, it symbolized all our dreams for freedom. Thus everybody of my peers had a rock band to lean onto in difficult times, a band to enable one to hope for a better life for Bulgaria. Since those years Sweet has been my band and Brian - my singer. Now I hear things have changed a lot but for years on end I had no idea about the situation apart from the fact that Brian had left the band. I had no idea whether he continued to sing or if he was healthy and well. So when I finally could log onto the Internet I decided to write to Brian to thank him personally for all the hope he had been giving me through all the years and to tell him about me and my family all of whom like listening to his lovely voice. It was then that I understood about his death - a fact I never had had the faintest idea of till that moment then. I cried a lot. I had lost somebody I deeply appreciated, somebody whose voice had really meant hope for me through all those years. I realized it was too late to thank him then. This is why I am writing to you now so that Brian's family can receive my gratitude and know that Brian's voice remains the most incredible and beautiful voice I have ever heard, even more so because it has really been helping me live on. I am also mailing you a poem dedicated to Brian's memory. Please, while reading it, consider its possible publication in the site connected with the forthcoming date of Brian's anniversary. I would be greatly happy if you manage to forward the poem to Brian's family and all his fans as well. Thanks in advance, Mimi Ilieva.

To Brian Connolly E Y E S O F P A P E R You are looking at me. Constantly. With static. Eyes of paper. You are looking at me. With good. A bit sad. Bright blue. Eyes of paper. Your face is also of paper. And you are far away. Too far away. Actually... You are gone now. You left. Forever. A bright blue sky. Like your eyes. Wanted to write to you. To thank you. When you are gone now. Forever. You left. Forever. Never knowing how many times you helped me out. Me never really thanking you A bright blue sky. Just like your eyes A bit sad smile of yours. And so much sun. Not only in your hair. In your voice Could not say my last good bye. Could not thank you. You helped my dreams survive. You helped me survive A bright blue sky Like your eyes A bit sad smile of yours Why is everybody sent to bring light sad? Could not say 'thanks'. 'Thanks' for my dreams. There, in heavens You are there, in heavens, aren't you? Do you have the same blue eyes there as well? Will I see you there some day? To say this 'thank you' of mine. To see you smile. To see your eyes Why did you leave? Why leave your children fatherless? Why allow yourself to die! You said your home was your fortress? Who tore it down? My home is my fortress. And a few friends. With you one of them. Without ever being. And you will remain among them. Although you are no more. Bright blue sky. Like your eyes. And so mush freedom in your voice. So much thirst for life Why did you quit? I wanted to write you a letter. For your birthday. To thank you. To tell you you were a friend. So close a friend. As nobody else could be. I wrote a farewell letter. I told you my `good bye' Bright blue eyes. Like bright blue sky You are looking at me. With good. A bit sad. Eyes of paper. You are looking at me. With static. Bright blue. Eyes of paper. Thank you. Thank you forever. Brian, thank you for everything. Mimi Ilieva