Robert Sweet (musician)

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Robert Sweet
Background information
Birth name	Robert Lee Sweet
Born	March 21, 1960 (age 47)
Origin	USA
Genre(s)	Rock
Occupation(s)	drummer, producer
Instrument(s)	vocals, drums
Years active	1984-present
Associated acts	Stryper King James Blissed
Website	www.stryper.com

Robert Lee Sweet (born March 21, 1960 in Lynwood, California) is the drummer of the Christian Metal band Stryper. He and his brother Michael, originally founded the band as 'Roxx' or 'Roxx Regime'. Robert became known as the "Visual Time Keeper" for his wild drumming and eye captivating drum kits. (Unlike most drummers, Sweet faces to stage left or right while playing, not straight ahead, so that the audience can see him and not have their view of him obscured by his drumkit.) Sweet also played a key role in the visual direction of the band itself as well as being a significant contributor to the group.

After Stryper broke up in 1992, Sweet went on to play in a variety of different acts and projects largely Christian-oriented (King James with former Stryper bassist Tim Gaines and former Whitecross guitarist Rex Caroll), to studio spots in projects such as Shameless and Titannic to name a few. Sweet went on to record a solo album titled Love Trash which demonstrated an eclectic side of his writing and performing capabilities. Later, Sweet co-founded Blissed.

Sweet played a key role in the reappearance of Stryper by taking part in 2000's "Stryper Expo" and a reunion show in Costa Rica. The successful reception led Sweet to push for a reunion of the band which came in the form of a request by Hollywood Records for a new Best of collection. The band decided that rather than simply doing another compilation, they would record two new songs and then tour behind it. 2003 saw Sweet tour with a re-formed Stryper. In 2004, Stryper returned to the studio to begin working on their August 2005 release, Reborn, which marked the band's first full-length recording of original material in over 15 years, since 1990's Against the Law. Sweet is currently working with the group on a follow-up release, tentatively due sometime in 2007.