Slade
Who didn't, at one time,
think Noddy Holder's sideburns and Dave Hill's fringe,
combined, would be the perfect look? Noddy and the boyz
(yes, it was Slade who started all this wrong spelling)
remain one of the best loved of all British bands,
probably because they weren't as pompous or as puffed up
as six number ones might have made them, and, of course,
they wrote enduring tunes. Noel Gallagher of Oasis, no
mean songwriter himself, is a big fan.
Remembered as one of the leading lights of the British
glam rock movement, of the early 1970s, alongside the
likes of David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Elton John, and The
Sweet, Slade began life in the late 1960s, after
previously being called The N'Betweens, then Ambrose
Slade. The latter being folk rock based, and far removed
from the next incarnation - the raucous Slade. The
line-up consisted of Noddy Holder, singing and playing a
bit of guitar, Dave Hill on lead guitar, Jimmy Lea on
bass, violin, and piano, with Don Powell on drums.
Beginning with a skinhead appearance, for no other reason
than a fashion statement (a picture of Noddy as a
skinhead still haunts me), they soon abandoned that for
the long haired look of the glam rock era.
Slade were more than just pretty boys, though, and they
soared to the top of the British charts with these
lovingly entitled ditties: Coz I Luv You (1971),
Take Me Bak' 'Ome (1972), Mama Weer All
Crazee Now (1972), Cum On Feel The Noize (1973),
Skweeze Me Pleeze Me (1973), and Merry Xmas
Everybody (1973). Other memorable songs included Gudbuy
T' Jane, How Does It Feel?, Nobody's
Fool, and My Oh My. Knuckle Sandwhich Nancy didn't do so
well, unfortunately.
Slade albums often
contained titles wordplaying on their name, such as Slayed
Alive (1972), Slayed (1972), and Sladest
(1973). You just get the idea, that rather than be
weighed down by fame, Slade actually enjoyed it.
- Paul
Rance, Peace & Freedom Press.
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1960s Music Index
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1970s Music Index
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