THE SWEET - Strung Up - glam rock 2LP Vinyl

- The glam rock fury of live power and studio magic in one legendary double LP

large photo of the album front cover of: Strung Up

“The Sweet – Strung Up” is a 2LP glam rock milestone that captures both the raw power of the band’s live show and their studio brilliance. Released in 1975, the album splits into two sides of their legacy: a thunderous live set from the Rainbow Theatre, London, and a studio collection packed with unreleased gems and alternate takes. With Chinn and Chapman’s hit-making flair and the band’s flamboyant energy, it remains one of the most iconic glam compilations, offering fans a rare mix of stage fire and studio craft in one essential package.

The Sweet – Strung Up Album Description:

In the world of glam rock history, The Sweet occupies a special place. Known for their infectious melodies, flamboyant style, and energetic performances, the band left an indelible mark on the music scene of the 1970s. One of their notable releases, "Strung Up", is a unique 2LP vinyl album that showcases both the band's live prowess and studio wizardry. Originally released in 1975, this album remains a coveted gem for fans of glam rock and collectors alike.

Live LP

"Strung Up" is a compilation album that offers a glimpse into The Sweet's dynamic live performances as well as their creative prowess in the studio. The album is divided into two parts: the Live LP, which captures the band's electrifying show at the Rainbow Theatre in London on 12 December 1973, and the Studio LP, featuring a collection of previously unreleased songs and alternative versions of their hits.

The Live LP encapsulates the raw energy and charisma of The Sweet's live performances. It takes listeners on a sonic journey through the band's energetic renditions of their well-known hits, such as "Ballroom Blitz", "Teenage Rampage", and "Fox on the Run". The audience's fervor and the band's infectious enthusiasm are palpable, making it feel as if you were right there in the crowd, experiencing the magic firsthand. It's a testament to The Sweet's ability to captivate audiences and create an electric atmosphere during their shows.

Studio LP

On the Studio LP, fans are treated to a collection of hidden gems that showcase the band's versatility and songwriting prowess. The album features previously unreleased tracks, B-sides, and alternative versions of their popular songs. These studio recordings offer a deeper insight into The Sweet's creative process and demonstrate their ability to experiment with different sounds and styles. From the catchy hooks of "Action" to the anthemic chorus of "Hell Raiser", the Studio LP is a treasure trove for fans eager to discover new facets of The Sweet's musical universe.

Packaging and Presentation

The album's gatefold cover design adds to its allure, providing fans with a visually captivating package. The intricate album details and liner notes by Tony Prince further enrich the listening experience, offering historical context and anecdotes that enhance the appreciation of the music contained within. With its carefully crafted design, "Strung Up" becomes more than just a collection of songs; it becomes a tangible artifact that encapsulates a specific era of glam rock history.

Release History

It's worth noting that "Strung Up" had a somewhat convoluted release history. While it was not officially released in the United States, it found its way to different international markets. In Japan, it was released by Capitol Records under the title 'Anthology,' and in Italy, it was split into two separate albums: the studio set entitled 'Strung Up' (1975) and the live set entitled 'Live In England' (1976). However, despite its popularity and significance, the album has yet to receive an official reissue on CD in the UK, except for a limited release in the US in 1997 on Chinebridge Records and in Japan as 'Anthology'.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Glam-Rock

Collector Notes / Liner Notes
  • 1: This album was not released in the US, in Japan it was released by Capitol Records under the title 'Anthology'; in Italy it was also released as 2 separate albums - the studio set entitled 'Strung Up' (1975) and the live set entitled 'Live In England' (1976).
  • 2: To date, the album hasn't been officially re-issued on CD in UK (except in the USA in 1997 on Chinebridge Records and in Japan as 'Anthology').
Label & Catalognr:

Orange RCA Victor LPL 2-5107-1

Album Packaging

The album "Strung Up" by The Sweet contains of one Live LP (Recorded Rainbow Theatre, London 12 December 1973) and one Studio LP.

Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with album details and liner notes by Tony Prince.

Media Format:

12" Double Vinyl LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 380 gram

Year & Country:

1975 – Made in Germany

Producers:
  • Mike Chapman – Producer
  • Nicky Chinn – Producer
Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • The Sweet – Album Cover Design
  • Pat Doyle – Art Direction
  • Joe Petagno – Illustration
    Joe Petagno is an American artist known principally for creating images used on rock album covers for bands such as Pink Floyd , Led Zeppelin , Nazareth , Sweet, Motörhead, Roy Harper, Marduk, Bal-Sagoth, Autopsy, Attick Demons, Illdisposed and Sodom . Joe Petagno was born in Portland, Maine and left the United States in 1972. He worked with Hipgnosis before meeting Motörhead's Lemmy in 1975,

Chinn, Chapman & Chinnichap Profiles

Nicky Chinn — Songwriter / Producer

Nicholas Barry Chinn, the sharp-suited hitmaker of the glam era, was less about riffs and more about hooks sharp enough to slice through the Top 40. He built pop grenades that exploded on radios across the UK, turning Suzi Quatro, Mud, and The Sweet into household names. If Mike Chapman was the muscle, Chinn was the strategist—pulling strings, writing lines, and packaging glitter for the masses.

  • Primary Role – Songwriter / Producer
  • Country – United Kingdom
  • Years Active – 1970s–1990s
  • Bands – The Sweet, Mud, Suzi Quatro, Smokie
  • Associated Acts – Chinnichap Productions
Selected Discography
  • The Sweet – “Blockbuster!” (1973)
  • Suzi Quatro – “Can the Can” (1973)
  • Mud – “Tiger Feet” (1974)
  • Smokie – “Living Next Door to Alice” (1976)
Mike Chapman — Producer / Musician

Michael Donald Chapman came from Queensland with a guitar in hand and a producer’s ear tuned to gold. If Chinn mapped the battlefield, Chapman supplied the heavy artillery—crunching arrangements, slick production, and a knack for making everything sound bigger than life. From glam anthems with The Sweet to Blondie’s “Parallel Lines”, he was the sonic sculptor who made radio sound like the center of the universe.

  • Primary Role – Producer / Songwriter / Musician
  • Country – Australia / United States
  • Years Active – 1970s–present
  • Bands – The Sweet, Blondie, The Knack, Pat Benatar
  • Associated Acts – Chinnichap Productions
Selected Discography
  • The Sweet – “Ballroom Blitz” (1973)
  • Blondie – “Parallel Lines” (1978)
  • The Knack – “Get the Knack” (1979)
  • Pat Benatar – “Crimes of Passion” (1980)
Chinnichap — Songwriting & Production Duo

Together Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman became Chinnichap, the glam-rock hit factory that ruled the UK charts in the 1970s. They wrote riffs that stuck like bubblegum and choruses that glittered louder than a strobe light. Chinn plotted the hooks, Chapman built the sound, and the result was an unstoppable string of anthems that turned The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, and Mud into chart royalty. They weren’t just producers; they were architects of a whole pop moment.

  • Primary Role – Songwriting & Production Team
  • Country – United Kingdom / Australia
  • Years Active – 1970s–1980s
  • Bands – The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Mud, Smokie
  • Associated Acts – Blondie, The Knack, Pat Benatar
Selected Discography
  • The Sweet – “Ballroom Blitz” (1973)
  • Suzi Quatro – “48 Crash” (1973)
  • Mud – “Tiger Feet” (1974)
  • Smokie – “If You Think You Know How to Love Me” (1975)

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Brian Connolly – Lead Vocals
  • Andy Scott – Guitar
  • Steve Priest – Bass
  • Mick Tucker – Drums

Complete Track-listing:

Live Album:
  1. Hellraiser (Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman)
  2. Burning/Someone Else Will (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  3. Rock 'n' Roll Disgrace (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  4. Need A Lot Of Lovin' (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  5. Done Me Wrong Alright (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  6. You're Not Wrong For Loving Me (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  7. The Man With The Golden Arm (Elmer Bernstein/Sylvia Fine)
Video: Sweet - Hell Raiser - Disco 23.06.1973 (OFFICIAL)
Studio Album:
  1. Action (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  2. Fox On The Run (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  3. Set Me Free (Andy Scott)
  4. Miss Demeanour (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  5. Ballroom Blitz (Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman)
  6. Burn On The Flame (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  7. Solid Gold Brass (Scott/Connolly/Tucker/Priest)
  8. The Six Teens (Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman)
  9. I Wanna Be Committed (Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman) – previously unreleased
  10. Blockbuster (Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman)
Video: Sweet - Fox On The Run - Promo Clip (OFFICIAL)
Album Front Cover Photo
Album cover of The Sweet's 1975 double LP Strung Up. The artwork shows surreal painted portraits of the four band members under a deep blue night sky with a crescent moon. Each face is bathed in orange-red light with dark hair framing their features, and their hands appear to be pulling thick red strings like puppet wires. Beneath them is a highly ornate red and gold scroll design framing the bold yellow title Sweet with the smaller banner Strung Up above it. A circular sticker highlights featured tracks including Action, Fox on the Run, Ballroom Blitz, Hellraiser, and Blockbuster. The RCA logo is printed in the upper right corner.

The cover of Strung Up is a striking piece of glam rock imagery. A painted night sky with a thin crescent moon forms the backdrop, bathing the scene in mystery and drama.

Four intense, stylized portraits of the band members dominate the upper half. Their long dark hair and stern expressions are accentuated by vivid orange-red highlights, giving their faces a fiery, almost otherworldly glow.

Each musician grips what appear to be glowing strings, stretched taut like the lines of a puppet or the frets of a surreal instrument, reinforcing the album’s title and theatrical theme.

The lower half bursts with ornate swirls of deep red and gold, framing a bold yellow title Sweet in large capitals. Above it, the banner Strung Up shines in purple and silver, centered like a stage sign.

A small circular sticker on the right promotes key tracks—Action, Fox on the Run, Ballroom Blitz, Hellraiser, and Blockbuster—while the white RCA logo sits discreetly in the top corner, completing the visual.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover artwork of The Sweet's 1975 double LP Strung Up. The image shows a vividly colored painted scene of the four band members as puppet-like figures on a theatrical stage, manipulated by strings attached to their limbs. The lead singer in a white suit stands at center holding a microphone, flanked by two guitarists in shiny black outfits and a drummer seated at a kit. The background is red-orange with black stage columns at the sides. The left half lists the Live Album tracks such as Done Me Wrong Alright, Hellraiser, and Rock 'n' Roll Disgrace. The right half lists the Studio Album tracks including Action, Fox on the Run, and Ballroom Blitz. Catalog details and RCA credits are printed at the bottom.

The back cover of Strung Up is a theatrical fantasy rendered in bold colors. Against a glowing red-orange backdrop, the band appears as stylized figures on a stage framed by heavy black columns.

At the center, the singer in a gleaming white suit thrusts a microphone aloft, his stance commanding attention. To his sides, two guitarists in glossy black leather lean in with electric instruments, while behind them the drummer sits poised at a large kit.

Thin puppet-like strings descend from above, attaching to each performer, reinforcing the album’s title and visual concept of being “strung up” in performance.

On the left, the Live Album song list is printed in white, with titles like “Done Me Wrong Alright” and “Hellraiser.” On the right, the Studio Album tracks appear, including “Action,” “Fox on the Run,” and “Ballroom Blitz.”

Catalog numbers and RCA production credits line the lower edge, completing this dramatic fusion of illustration and essential album details.

Inside Gatefold Cover Photo
Inside gatefold of The Sweet's 1975 double LP Strung Up. The design features a bold yellow-to-white gradient panel at center with black script text. On the left, the Live Album tracklist is shown, split into Side 1 and Side 2, including Done Me Wrong Alright, The Man With The Golden Arm, Hellraiser, and Rock 'n' Roll Disgrace. A large black diagonal WARNING stamp emphasizes This Is A Totally Live Album. On the right, the Studio Album tracklist is printed, also divided into sides, with Action, Fox On The Run, Ballroom Blitz, Burn On The Flame, The Six Teens, I Wanna Be Committed, and Blockbuster. Production credits list Mike Chapman, Nicky Chinn, and Phil Wainman. Below, the artwork credits Sweet for design, Pat Doyle for art direction, and Joe Petagno for illustration. The entire layout sits against a deep red background with blue framing lines.

The inner gatefold of Strung Up presents a striking contrast: a glowing yellow-to-white panel set against a deep red backdrop, framed with fine blue lines.

On the left, the Live Album tracklist is split into two sides, including “Done Me Wrong Alright,” “You’re Not Wrong For Lovin’ Me,” “The Man With The Golden Arm,” “Hellraiser,” and “Rock ’n’ Roll Disgrace.” A bold black stamp across the center reads WARNING – THIS IS A TOTALLY LIVE ALBUM, adding urgency and flair.

On the right, the Studio Album songs are listed, with highlights like “Action,” “Fox On The Run,” “Ballroom Blitz,” “Burn On The Flame,” “The Six Teens,” “I Wanna Be Committed,” and “Blockbuster.” Credits note that production duties were handled by Mike Chapman, Nicky Chinn, and Phil Wainman, with all selections arranged by Sweet.

At the bottom, design is credited to Sweet, with art direction by Pat Doyle and illustration by Joe Petagno. The clean typography and balanced layout transform the tracklist into a visual centerpiece, blending practicality with glam rock theatrics.

Close-up of Record Label
Close-up of the original 1975 RCA Victor orange record label for The Sweet's Strung Up double LP. The circular label features bold white RCA lettering on the left and Victor branding on the right. At the top, it reads Side 1 Stereo with catalog numbers LPL 2-5107-1 and (26.28124-1). The tracklist includes Done Me Wrong Alright (8:08), You're Not Wrong For Lovin' Me (3:28), and The Man With The Golden Arm (8:05). Songwriting credits list Scott, Priest, Connolly, Tucker, Bernstein, and Fine. The label also displays the GEMA rights society box, the © 1975 copyright mark, and the 33 RPM speed indicator at the bottom within a triangle. Black vinyl grooves encircle the label.

A close-up of the original RCA Victor orange record label for Strung Up, capturing the vibrant design typical of mid-1970s pressings. The left side features the bold white RCA logo, while “Victor” is printed on the right in clean, modern lettering.

At the top, the label states Side 1 Stereo with catalog numbers LPL 2-5107-1 and (26.28124-1). Three tracks are listed: “Done Me Wrong Alright” (8:08), “You’re Not Wrong For Lovin’ Me” (3:28), and “The Man With The Golden Arm” (8:05). Credits are given to Scott, Priest, Connolly, Tucker, Bernstein, and Fine.

Additional markings include the GEMA rights society box, the © 1975 copyright notice, and the triangular 33 RPM speed symbol at the bottom. The stark orange background, combined with the precision of the typography, creates a striking visual identity that instantly signals its RCA Victor heritage.

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