[7] Carol Howard (Tracy Mann)[7] is an attractive vocalist and novice guitarist from Melbourne; she had pursued an acting career with little success but is now focussed on her music.

Martin Kabel (David Reyne)[7] is an established, albeit unsuccessful, guitarist who wants to branch out from his current band: he would like to sing his own songs.

Initially they play their gigs using a drum machine until Johnny Black (Robin Copp),[7] an established drummer, joins.

They meet recording executives and media personalities including Ian "Molly" Meldrum and artist Jon English.

Martin is brash and confident but his Lothario image is belied by his naivety when he deals with a female music executive (Megan Williams).

Manipulation by music industry insiders sees both Martin and Carol tempted by solo deals; eventually the group splits.

[10] Deborah Conway (Do-Ré-Mi)[12] was actor Tracy Mann's 'singing voice' and sang the hit "Sweet & Sour" (#13 Australian national singles chart).

Associate Music Director Graham Bidstrup (The Angels, GANGgajang)[12] also provided backing vocals, keyboards, percussion and lyrics.

The list of recording musicians/songwriters includes Tommy Emmanuel, Chris Bailey (The Angels, GANGgajang),[12] Eric McCusker (Mondo Rock), Red Symons (Skyhooks), "Freddie" Strauks (Skyhooks),[12] Todd Hunter (Dragon, XL Capris),[12] Rick Grossman (Divinyls, Hoodoo Gurus),[12] Mark Edwards (The Runners),[12] Tony Buchanan (Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs mk2)[15] and Reg Mombassa (Mental As Anything).

Australian band GANGgajang were formed as a direct result of four of their members involvement as musicians/songwriters for this show: Chris Bailey, Graham Bidstrup, Mark Callaghan and Kay Bee.

[17][18] The promo clip does not show The Takeaways' 'bass player' George (Arky Michael), but does include a juggler, acrobat and stage magician.

This meant the music budget stretched much further, and that signed and unsigned writers received ongoing royalty payments for each unit sold and so provided significant income to lesser-known songwriters such as David McComb of The Triffids.

New Zealand's TVNZ series Heroes, released 21 October 1984, "is about a group of musicians just getting started as a rock 'n' roll band".

[28] Writers for Sweet and Sour were Gooding, Pigott, Michael Cove, Paul Leadon, David Poltorak, Bert Deling, Forrest Redlich and Debra Oswald.