As the handsome frontman of chart-topping glam rockers The Sweet, Brian Connolly had the world at his feet. The band enjoyed huge success in the 1970s, playing to massive crowds all over the world and enjoying all the trappings that went with it. The band's guitarist, Andy Scott, confirmed they had become millionaires at their peak in the 1970s, thanks to their 39 worldwide hits and 13 top 20 hits in the UK, including the number one single Blockbuster. "A lot of money went through the bank accounts during that period. We moved into the millionaire status," he said.

However, by the time of his death in February 1997 at the age of 51 from kidney and liver failure, a result of repeated heart attacks, Brian was living in a council flat with his partner and son and had been doing regular gigs in Butlins to earn a crust. It was left to fans to raise money for a memorial. His decline began when he left The Sweet in 1979 to embark on a solo career, having already developed a significant problem with alcohol, which had compromised his position in the band.

Despite his good looks and devoted fanbase, his solo career got off to a rocky start when his solo singles failed to chart. He also recorded several new tracks for an album scheduled for release in August 1983, but the record was not released. He got a break in January 1983, supporting Pat Benatar for three shows in Birmingham, Newcastle and the Hammersmith Odeon, London.

However, he was also dealt a blow when he and the other members of The Sweet were hit with a multimillion-pound tax bill from Inland Revenue, pertaining to income from their hit records. Brian was forced to sell his house to cover the demand.

This came not long after he had developed what would become ongoing health issues. In 1981, he was admitted to the hospital with bloating, and he sustained multiple heart attacks. His health was permanently affected by some paralysis on his left side, which would later develop into a nervous system condition.

Despite his physical problems, he toured the UK and Europe with his band, the New Sweet, from early 1984. This, too, would not last. In July 1990, plans were made for the band to tour Australia. During the long flight, he suffered further health issues, and he was hospitalised in Adelaide Hospital for dehydration and related problems. The band played a show in Adelaide without him, and it became apparent his health was not up to it, so the tour was not extended.

He became a regular on the European "oldies" circuit and played occasional outdoor festivals in Europe with the band for a fraction of the fees he used to command in his prime.

Legal issues were also eating into his finances as he battled Andy Scott for the use of The Sweet's name. They eventually agreed to distinguish their group's name to help promoters and fans. The New Sweet became Brian Connolly's Sweet, and Andy Scott's band became Andy Scott's Sweet. Connolly and the New Sweet continued to tour the UK and Europe.

In 1995, he released a solo album, Let's Go, but it was to prove only "semi successful". That same year, his 23-year-old partner Jean gave birth to their son. In a 1996 Channel 4 documentary Don't Leave Me This Way he admitted he had six heart attacks in total and acknowledged that alcohol had been a huge problem for him and the cause of his health issues. His fall from grace was shockingly apparent as he shook and walked with a limp throughout. Clips of his performances showed that the once golden boy of glam rock was now a mere shadow of his former self.

He would die just over three months later. His final ever concert was at the Bristol Hippodrome on 5 December 1996, with Slade II and John Rossall's Glitter Band Experience. Following his cremation, fans raised money for a memorial plaque at Breakspear Crematorium.