SLADE FAVES AND HATES
Favourite Hit Single
This is difficult. There's so many that I like. I would say it's a toss up between "How Does It Feel" and "Far Far Away". I like both because they are such a different Slade sound. I think that "Far Far Away" wins - due to the fact loads of people (including Liam Gallagher) say that "How Does It Feel" is one of their own favourites.
"Far Far Away" sets a romantic scene - I love Don's drums and the dreamy images the song creates.......plus the cheeky "red light of the wrist" lyrics. How did Mary Whitehouse allow it to be played on Radio One?
"Far Far Away" sets a romantic scene - I love Don's drums and the dreamy images the song creates.......plus the cheeky "red light of the wrist" lyrics. How did Mary Whitehouse allow it to be played on Radio One?
Most Disliked Hit Single
Well for me it would be "Gudbuy T'Jane". I don't know why but this song never struck a chord with me - despite it being a great crowd pleaser. It sort of just grinds on me. When I play "Slade Anthology" on my ipod, I always skip this song.
Favourite Flop Single
Well it has to be "Rock n Roll Bolero". Once again it has a different Slade sound. I love Nod's jerky vocals, love the tempo, love the piano and violin and although they're dated, I love the electric drums.
My love of the song is also because it reminds me of happy times. Slade were touring big time to promote this song - and for the first time I was working, earning a crust so that I could afford go to loads of the gigs.
However, I haven't got a clue what the song's about? Answers on a postcard please....
My love of the song is also because it reminds me of happy times. Slade were touring big time to promote this song - and for the first time I was working, earning a crust so that I could afford go to loads of the gigs.
However, I haven't got a clue what the song's about? Answers on a postcard please....
Most Disliked Flop Single
Without a doubt - 100% - "Okey Cokey". Naff. This was the wrong direction for Slade to take.
Favourite Album
Doin - Newcastle City Hall - 30 April 1975
For me it's "Rogues Gallery". Like all the tracks. It's a polished piece - money well spent on the production. Nod's lyrics are clever. Has stood the test of time.
Most Disliked Album
Once again, I have no doubts about this one, "Crackers".
At the time this was coming out I was writing a piece on the album for the Fan Club. Jim travelled down to meet me in Clerkenwell (where I was working) and we went to The Shakespeare pub. I told him that I didn't like the idea of the album - with the band doing cover songs. But Jim justified it - saying the band had been given freedom to chose the songs and way it was recorded.
However, I hated the finished album when I heard it and I hate it now. I think I only ever played it a couple of times in it's entirety.
The album cover and the advertising campaign were dreadful. I think that Jim would agree, in hindsight, that it was a wrong route for Slade to take. A cheap, shoddy, money spinning album like this dented their good catalogue of albums.
At the time this was coming out I was writing a piece on the album for the Fan Club. Jim travelled down to meet me in Clerkenwell (where I was working) and we went to The Shakespeare pub. I told him that I didn't like the idea of the album - with the band doing cover songs. But Jim justified it - saying the band had been given freedom to chose the songs and way it was recorded.
However, I hated the finished album when I heard it and I hate it now. I think I only ever played it a couple of times in it's entirety.
The album cover and the advertising campaign were dreadful. I think that Jim would agree, in hindsight, that it was a wrong route for Slade to take. A cheap, shoddy, money spinning album like this dented their good catalogue of albums.
Favourite B Side
My "Everyday" Silver Disc - that I got from Chas Chandler
For this choice, it's "She Did It To Me" (the B Side to "Bangin' Man") was so strong that it should have been a single.
It's my most played track on the B Sides CD. It has great lyrics, great harmonies (for Slade) and still sounds fresh today.
It's my most played track on the B Sides CD. It has great lyrics, great harmonies (for Slade) and still sounds fresh today.
Most Disliked B Side
"Don't Blame Me" (the B Side of "Merry Xmas Everybody"). This song was just too shouty for me. As soon as I heard it I just considered it as a "filler" with not a lot of effort put in.
Favourite Support Act
Nick Van Eede - 1978
For me it's Nick Van Eede. Me, Kevin and Julyet got to know Nick well when he toured with the band on the "Rock n Roll Bolero" tour in 1978. He was unassuming and very talented. Loved his versions of "Stairway To Heaven" and "Billericay Dicky".
Also, what a nice guy he was. I remember the roadie Swinn telling him off for letting all the kids in backstage. He drove a Ford Capri and even offered to give us lifts to the gigs!
I was so pleased that he made in big a few years later with his band Cutting Crew ("I Just Died In Your Arms") in the USA.
Also, what a nice guy he was. I remember the roadie Swinn telling him off for letting all the kids in backstage. He drove a Ford Capri and even offered to give us lifts to the gigs!
I was so pleased that he made in big a few years later with his band Cutting Crew ("I Just Died In Your Arms") in the USA.
Favourite Slade Book
Although the Feel The Noize book by Chris Charlesworth is the most factually correct biography about Slade, I think that The Slade Story by George Tremlett is my fave.
The George Tremlett's book isn't brilliant, and is not absolutely accurate. However, I loved it when it was published in 1975. It provided background info to the band's families and homes that I hadn't been aware of before. I especially liked the German version of the book that published different, and more rare, photos of the band.
Also, it was good to see, for the first time - a list of all Slade's early gigs before the band made it famous. I was intrigued to see the small venues the band had played, particularly places like the Cooks Ferry Inn in Edmonton (on 9 August 1971) that I knew well, and passed weekly in the car.
Jim mentioned that the Tremlett book caused the band lots of problems with the tax man. The Inland Revenue used the book to hit the band with an unpaid tax demand -and wanted to see income receipts from all these early gigs!
The George Tremlett's book isn't brilliant, and is not absolutely accurate. However, I loved it when it was published in 1975. It provided background info to the band's families and homes that I hadn't been aware of before. I especially liked the German version of the book that published different, and more rare, photos of the band.
Also, it was good to see, for the first time - a list of all Slade's early gigs before the band made it famous. I was intrigued to see the small venues the band had played, particularly places like the Cooks Ferry Inn in Edmonton (on 9 August 1971) that I knew well, and passed weekly in the car.
Jim mentioned that the Tremlett book caused the band lots of problems with the tax man. The Inland Revenue used the book to hit the band with an unpaid tax demand -and wanted to see income receipts from all these early gigs!
The Concert I Hated Missing
Without a doubt, Earls Court in 1973. I really can't remember the actual reason that I didn't go to this gig.
I think it was because I was reliant on my Dad for pocket money. I was too lazy to do part-time jobs - I got the sack because I was unable to get out of bed to do my morning paper-round - and I couldn't be bothered to turn up for my afternoon slot on a newspaper stall. Therefore - I had to get my Dad to fork out for concert tickets for me. I think he objected to getting me tickets for Earls Court as he had paid for me to go to Wembley Empire Pool a few months earlier. I seem to remember him saying something like "You've seen them once - what do you want to see them again for so soon? Wait til next year".
However, I think part of the reason I couldn't go because I was going on holiday to Lido De Jesolo, Italy a day or so after. I remember buying the German music mag Bravo while on holiday as the front cover and inside was full of photos of Slade's triumph at Earls Court - even though I couldn't understand a word of the written reviews!
Jim in later years confessed that contrary to popular belief - the Earls Court Court did not sell out. The capacity was almost full - but there were a few hundred seats not sold.
I think it was because I was reliant on my Dad for pocket money. I was too lazy to do part-time jobs - I got the sack because I was unable to get out of bed to do my morning paper-round - and I couldn't be bothered to turn up for my afternoon slot on a newspaper stall. Therefore - I had to get my Dad to fork out for concert tickets for me. I think he objected to getting me tickets for Earls Court as he had paid for me to go to Wembley Empire Pool a few months earlier. I seem to remember him saying something like "You've seen them once - what do you want to see them again for so soon? Wait til next year".
However, I think part of the reason I couldn't go because I was going on holiday to Lido De Jesolo, Italy a day or so after. I remember buying the German music mag Bravo while on holiday as the front cover and inside was full of photos of Slade's triumph at Earls Court - even though I couldn't understand a word of the written reviews!
Jim in later years confessed that contrary to popular belief - the Earls Court Court did not sell out. The capacity was almost full - but there were a few hundred seats not sold.
Most Hated Concert
My most hated concert was Slade at Blackburn Baileys in 1979.
I travelled up with my mate Kevin by coach to stay in Blackburn for a two of the gigs. Kevin had the (not so bright) idea to travel by National Express during the night (as it was far cheaper than travelling during the day). The journey from Victoria took hours (stopping off everywhere). It was absolutely freezing and we got no sleep on the coach. So we arrived in Blackburn at about 5am, freezing, with nowhere open to even buy a coffee.
We booked a room in a guest house - and planned to smuggle in our friends Sue O'Leary and Alsion Hillmen for free. We got caught out by the landlord as we had all got drunk on Vodka in the afternoon before the gig.
The gig itself was a disaster. A poor show and afterwards we didn't get to meet the band. (The only gig from 1977 onwards that I never got backstage). The "House Manager" was a bossy bitch called Sylvia. She insisted that nobody apart from her cocktail waitress girls went backstage (wonder why?). I seem to remember that Dave Hill's sister Carol was there - and even she couldn't get backstage after the show. Also, Alison had gone missing during the show. We later found out that she'd been beaten up by club bouncers and thrown down the stairs at the back of the hall. She was drunk, charged by the police and spent the night in a cell.
I travelled up with my mate Kevin by coach to stay in Blackburn for a two of the gigs. Kevin had the (not so bright) idea to travel by National Express during the night (as it was far cheaper than travelling during the day). The journey from Victoria took hours (stopping off everywhere). It was absolutely freezing and we got no sleep on the coach. So we arrived in Blackburn at about 5am, freezing, with nowhere open to even buy a coffee.
We booked a room in a guest house - and planned to smuggle in our friends Sue O'Leary and Alsion Hillmen for free. We got caught out by the landlord as we had all got drunk on Vodka in the afternoon before the gig.
The gig itself was a disaster. A poor show and afterwards we didn't get to meet the band. (The only gig from 1977 onwards that I never got backstage). The "House Manager" was a bossy bitch called Sylvia. She insisted that nobody apart from her cocktail waitress girls went backstage (wonder why?). I seem to remember that Dave Hill's sister Carol was there - and even she couldn't get backstage after the show. Also, Alison had gone missing during the show. We later found out that she'd been beaten up by club bouncers and thrown down the stairs at the back of the hall. She was drunk, charged by the police and spent the night in a cell.
Favourite Slade Cover Song
Well, I don't really like Slade covers - but one stands out above all the others - "When The Lights Are Out" by Cheap Trick.
I loved Jim's vocals on the original "Old, New, Borrowed and Blue" album, but Cheap Trick's version is fresh and funky. I love it. Why not check it out on You Tube?
I loved Jim's vocals on the original "Old, New, Borrowed and Blue" album, but Cheap Trick's version is fresh and funky. I love it. Why not check it out on You Tube?
Favourite Memories Of Being A Slade Fan
One of my favourite moments was listening to the Radio One chart countdown.
I remember I was on holiday with my Dad at a Holiday Camp in Kingsdown, Sussex when "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" was released in 1972. It was Tuesday lunchtime and I skipped the sit-down lunch so that I could go back to the chalet to hear Johnny Walker count down the new chart. The single had received a lot of press - I remember Sounds magazine had a series of small ads announcing the release the week before - and I was sure the song would enter the chart quite high. Maybe even the Top Ten?
I became disappointed as Mr Walker rattled off the chart. No.10, No.9, No.8.......Slade weren't there! Why wasn't "Crazee" mentioned? Well, I was amazed when Johnny Walker eventually announced that it was in at No.2. He went wild saying that no other band had entered so high since The Beatles.
I left the chalet with a beaming smile - despite being hungry! I was so proud - probably even prouder than when "Cum On Feel The Noize" entered the chart at No.1 the following year. (This was because "Noize" in many ways was expected to go straight to No.1 - however, the initial sales of "Crazee" shocked everyone).
Another of my favourite memories was standing outside my local newsagents in West Hampstead bribing girls (and my mate David Davensac) to buy issues of Jackie magazine when Slade were featured. I could never bring myself to go through the embarrassment of buying girls' mags!
Favourite Slade piece of Memorabilia - I used to love my "Slade In Flame" movie viewer that I bought from the Slade Fan Club in 1975. You used it to watch stills from the film and it was great. Does anyone else own one of these?
I remember I was on holiday with my Dad at a Holiday Camp in Kingsdown, Sussex when "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" was released in 1972. It was Tuesday lunchtime and I skipped the sit-down lunch so that I could go back to the chalet to hear Johnny Walker count down the new chart. The single had received a lot of press - I remember Sounds magazine had a series of small ads announcing the release the week before - and I was sure the song would enter the chart quite high. Maybe even the Top Ten?
I became disappointed as Mr Walker rattled off the chart. No.10, No.9, No.8.......Slade weren't there! Why wasn't "Crazee" mentioned? Well, I was amazed when Johnny Walker eventually announced that it was in at No.2. He went wild saying that no other band had entered so high since The Beatles.
I left the chalet with a beaming smile - despite being hungry! I was so proud - probably even prouder than when "Cum On Feel The Noize" entered the chart at No.1 the following year. (This was because "Noize" in many ways was expected to go straight to No.1 - however, the initial sales of "Crazee" shocked everyone).
Another of my favourite memories was standing outside my local newsagents in West Hampstead bribing girls (and my mate David Davensac) to buy issues of Jackie magazine when Slade were featured. I could never bring myself to go through the embarrassment of buying girls' mags!
Favourite Slade piece of Memorabilia - I used to love my "Slade In Flame" movie viewer that I bought from the Slade Fan Club in 1975. You used it to watch stills from the film and it was great. Does anyone else own one of these?