I was born in Paddington, London, in 1960. For my first 23 years I lived at home with my parents in Ingham Rd, West Hampstead.

I went to a small secondary school in Marylebone, in London's West End. It was fairly un-eventful except for when an old pupil called Barry Green hit the big time with a new name, as popstar Barry Blue in 1973. At school I was a friend of John Barnes - who found fame as a footballer with Liverpool FC and England. On the other hand, I clashed with the senior, chubby, art student, Stuart Goddard, who slimmed down and became Adam Ant.

Now? I am married to Barbara and have twin children Jack and Lana who were born in 1999. Lana isn't really into Slade at all.  Therefore, I don't get much chance to play my Slade CDs or look at my old videos. (When I play Slade she says the same words "Can you turn that off? It's very annoying!")

However, my enthusiasm for Slade (and music in general) and seeing my favourite bands live, has rubbed off on my young daughter. She is keen on the pop band McFly. She has been to several of their live shows (with four concerts booked already for their 2012 tour). She trys to meet them when the band are out and about in London - and has loads of photos and videos that she has taken herself. 

Additionally, she enjoys creating her own fashion. She isn't into mass fashion - and is not into wearing similar clothes that all her friends wear. She likes retro items - and is very impressed by Dave Hill's style. (I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing!).

Also, a couple of years ago I loaded some Slade albums onto my son Jack's ipod - in the hope that he would at some stage listen to some of the tracks. It has worked. He now actually plays lots of Slade songs - with his favourites being "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Born To Be Wild".

I took the kids to see Slade 2 in 2009. They loved the show - I just wished that they could have been around to see the band when the original foursome were still together. Jack is keen to see and meet Slade more - as he is now will soon be a teenager, I'm sure that I will take him to more Slade events.

It was in 2003 that my family relocated to Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. I never thought that I would ever leave North West London - but I don't regret it at all. My kids have a great life in the country. 

However, I still commute into "the smoke" daily for work. I spend about four hours a day travelling. That's the price I have to pay for home life solace! I managed to use some of my travelling time writing notes for this website, reading my emails and researching bits.

I became interested in music at a young age. In the 1960's I loved the Monkees TV show. My Nan bought me my first ever single - which was by them - "Alternate Title" in 1967. 

I was 7 years when I saw them live. It was my first ever concert, and it was at the Wembley Empire Pool in London. 

I was a member of the Monkees Fan Club and held aloft my Fan Club poster at the gig. I was sitting high in the very last row of the arena and I was under the impression that the band could see it!

The first single I purchased for myself was "Apeman" by The Kinks in 1970. Loved the song - but the band's image didn't do anything for me. By 1970 they were "old" men and had lost their panache!

In 1971 I have vague recollection of hearing "Get Down and Get With It" but nothing more than that. The song became a Slade anthem - but at the time of release I can only barely remember hearing it. 

I really liked "Coz I Luv You" but didn't buy it. I think this was because the song mentioned the word "love". At this time I was a macho 11 year old - and didn't want to go into a record shop and buy a soppy love song! (Amazing but true).

I didn't get to buy  "Look Wot You Dun" either. I distinctly remember listening to the BBC chart countdown every Sunday when I was in the bath (i.e. bath night) and recall the single being stuck at number 4 in the charts for several weeks. I wished it would go higher! Also, I remember being intrigued by the promo video that was filmed at Chessington Zoo - with Don "eating" one of the dead mackerel that was due to be fed to the penguins. However I just never got round to buying the song.

The first single I got to purchase was "Take Me Bak 'Ome" in 1972. I'd seen the band on a London Weekend Television (LWT) show called "2G's and the Pop People" (an hour long show that featured music and dance routines by the 2nd Generation Dance troupe). It was shown on 10th June 1972 and featured Slade along with Labi Siffre, Lulu, the Bee Gees and ELO - but obviously Slade stole the show. Looking back it was a cheesy performance as Slade performed alongside girly lookalikes of themselves from the dance group. (The girls wore replica Slade clobber). Noddy was wearing his flat cap and Dave Hill was glittered up. They rocked and I was hooked!

At this time I was ill with tonsillitis and sent my Dad out to buy the single. Even with my illness I couldn't wait for him to come home with the record. I played it, and played it, over and over again...it drove him mad!

I bought every single after "Bak 'Ome". I would listen religiously to the Rosko show on Radio One - as he was the DJ that the band trusted with the first play of their new releases, a few weeks before official release.

Then on each release day, I would buy the disc from Manzi's Records in Swiss Cottage - which I knew was a "chart" shop. The shop owner, Eugene Manzi, would always reserve a copy for me - as he knew I'd be in to collect it during the day.

After buying each record I would rush home - eager to get it played. On the bus I would inspect all details printed on the label and every etching on the trail out part of the vinyl.

I scoured Record Mirror, Disc and Sounds magazines weekly for news on the band. I kept cuttings and awaited their performances on Top Of The Pops. I found out all I could about this band from Wolverhampton. Unlike girl fans who dreamed of snogging Nod or marrying Dave Hill, my desire was simply to one day meet the band and for them to maybe remember my name. (Little did I know that this would actually happen in a short space of time).

I suppose now, years on, I'm still a fan.

I don't have too much interest in seeing the "new" Slade (2) - made up of Dave and Don. (I have so many memories of the original band that I don't want these obscured by seeing the new band). However, I appreciate that Dave and Don need to make a living - and it's great that fans all over Europe can still go and see the guys and meet and chat with them after the shows.

I still long for the original foursome to get back together. And boy have I been waiting. But anything can happen. They boys are still all alive, although Dave Hill suffered a health scare in 2010. How many other 70's bands, such as The Sweet and Mud,  have lost members to drink and drugs, and therefore couldn't possibly reform? 

In just 2009 Madness re-formed (all 7 original members) and made the album of the year (The Liberty of Norton Folgate).....and despite all their differences both Spandau and Duran Duran have reformed to do new ventures together. So I'm waiting - but not holding my breath! 

Wouldn't it be just great if a promoter could come along with enough cash to encourage the band to do, say, as series of UK gigs at Christmas? Maybe to coincide the band could issue (another) Greatest Hits compliation - with just a couple of new tunes thrown in for good measure?

I'm sure that they could re-capture the Christmas market if they got back together in their original line-up. I would be there at every gig - and I'm sure lots of other would too.... 

But realistically, even if the four original members didn't get back together to do a concert, but just a tv show together, or a special recording, it'd be great.