20th August 1997.

Open Letter to Sweet Fans

I believe that this letter is to be published in various Sweet Fan magazines.

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for letters, cards and messages of goodwill following the news of my father's 
passing. Special thanks to all who attended the funeral service at Denham and Ruislip. Everyone has been very kind and 
thoughtful, it is a great comfort to me and my family to know that so many people around the world cared for and loved 
my Dad.

Further to recent questions and enquiries from Sweet fans and friends, I write to confirm the thoughts of the family on 
the use of the name 'BC Sweet' or 'Brian Connolly Sweet' or 'Brian Connolly' or any variation thereof by the musicians 
who worked with my father in the months preceding his death.

I am particularly saddened that these musicians should use the name at all since I had specifically withheld the 
permission of the family in response to a letter from Dave Glover and a subsequent conversation with Jeff King.

This band has gone on to perform as 'BC Sweet' following the death of my father. The first time honoured an engagement 
and became a tribute show. Subsequent shows have not had the approval of the family at all. I know that this bands 
appearance on a Christmas 1996 tour as 'Sweet AD' caused a major problem for my father who was always concerned that 
the reputation of The Sweet remained intact.

I understand that it may not be the intention of any of the musicians involved to mislead the public into thinking 
that they might see a member of the original Sweet performing but promoters do advertise shows in a potentially 
misleading manner. I advised a member of the band that if they did want to perform the songs originally recorded by 
The Sweet as a tribute to The Sweet or to my father or both, they should do so under another name. A name that avoids 
the use of Brian Connolly or The Sweet. In essence, there was only one Sweet and only one Brian Connolly and for 
myself, my family and fans, I would suggest that the use of the name in such circumstances indicates a level of 
disrespect and disloyalty to my father, his memory and the other members of the original band.

I would advise all fans to check up and be clear about which band they might be going to see in the future to avoid 
disappointment.

I write this open letter on behalf of the Connolly family and on behalf of my Dad. I know that he might have been a 
great deal more forceful and vociferous to the problem, but in the end the message is the same. Anybody who knew 
Brian Connolly will recognise what I am saying about his attitude. 

Sincerely, and with gratitude,

Nicola Connolly
London

June 1st 2004.

Dear Sweet Fans,

Following the death of my Father, my sister Michelle, myself and the rest of the family, have tried to keep a 
discrete distance from the 'Sweet' world. This was mainly done to try and give us all some 'closure' on what 
was, as I'm sure you'll appreciate, a very painful period in our lives.

At the time, I wrote an open letter, shown on this website and in some fanzines, which accurately described 
our feelings with regard to Brians old band continuing to use the name B C Sweet. Even though it has been over 
7 years now since my Father died, I hear that there is still much talk and conjecture regarding this and other 
events at that time. Let me say now that we are all very disappointed and annoyed that the band have ignored 
our wishes, and are still continuing to use either Brian's name or his initials to promote themselves. We find 
it highly disrespectful, and can only leave it to others to ponder the reasons why they have done this. As to 
what they should be called is something they must surely need to agree with both Steve and Andy. We just want 
to ensure that neither my Fathers' name, nor his initials, continues to be abused in this way.

Thank you to everyone for all their support and good wishes over the years to myself, my sister Michelle, and 
all the members of Brians' family.

Yours,

Nicola Connolly
London