If you want Slade, you need a compilation. This is a good place to start.
Four lads from in and around Wolverhampton, Don Powell, Jim Lea, Noddy Holder and Dave Hill became the 'N Betweens, having some regional success and releasing a single in 1966. In 1969 they came to the attention of Jack Baverstock from Philips Records who said he'd sign them if they changed their name. The story goes that Baverstocks secretary called her handbag 'Ambrose' and her shoes 'Slade' .. so 'Ambrose Slade' was born. At that time they were a skinhead band and despite an album and two singles, were failing as recording artists.
Long story short, they cut their name to Slade, recorded a song they'd used in their live act for years, 'Get Down and Get With It', grew their hair long, Noddy put mirrors on his hat and they became the 70s powerhouse working class loud no-holds barred band from the Black Country.
I wonder how kids find Slade music today. Typing song titles into their cellphones they can watch the predictive text and spell checker have a stroke !!!
'Cum On Feel The Noize'
'Look Wot You Dun'
'Gudbuy T'Jane'
'Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me'
'Coz I Luv You'
'Mama Weer All Crazee Now'
Ah, they were simpler times.
My favourite Slade tracks came out after this compilation and both used correct spelling !! 'When the Lights Are Out' and 'Run Runaway' were great songs. Jim Lea took lead vocals on '..Lights..' but Noddy Holder was back full steam for 'Run Runaway'.
Apart from their catalogue of hard rock / glam rock hits Slade have the distinction of recording one of the most popular Christmas songs ever. 'Merry Xmas Everybody' is on every playlist, every Christmas compilation and every supermarket muzak rotation worth it's salt. Noddy Holder calls the song his 'pension scheme' because it makes around 1/2 million pounds in royalties every year !! It's like Jose Feliciano and his 'Feliz Navidad'. They don't hear music anymore, just the 'Ca-ching' of cash registers filling their pockets !
Slade's legacy is huge - in the 70s they had 17 consecutive top 20 hits and 6 number ones on the UK charts.
In 1992 both Noddy and Jim Lea left the band and Slade II was formed.
I'm not going to write about them.
Seek out Slade. If you're in the US ignore the Quiet Riot versions of 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now' and 'Cum On Feel The Noize' - dig out the original and best. Slade.
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