SLADE LONDON SIGHTSEEING
I spoke to big Slade fan, Di Daley, at the Battle of The Bands show (where Jim Lea was the Head Judge) at the Robin in Bilston in December 2011.
Di suggested that I should put together details of a Slade sightseeing tour on the web - so that fans visiting London could get and see some Slade sights.
So here it is...
Di suggested that I should put together details of a Slade sightseeing tour on the web - so that fans visiting London could get and see some Slade sights.
So here it is...
Places to visit near Bond Street tube...
Five minutes walk from Bond Street Underground
Chas Chandler's office / Slade Fan Club - 67 Brook Street, W1
Chas Chandler ran his business affairs from his London office at 67 Brook St between 1971 and around May 1972. If you see "Office" photos of Slade around this time, they were invariably taken in Brook St. Chas set up the Slade Fan Club in Juy 1971 - and John Bright (alias "Di") who used to run the club, was based in these offices.
One minute walk from Bond Street Underground
Chas Chandler's office / Slade Fan Club - 13 South Molton St, W1
From May 1973 until late 1974 Chas's office, and the Fan Club, were based at 13 South Molton Street.
South Molton Street is a busy road full of designer shops, just off Oxford Street. When Chas's office was here, Slade boomed. Slade were at their height. And as the location was so easy to find, Slade fans often stalked the streets here. I visited the location several times - hoping to see the band - but never did.
On the office door was scrawled all sorts of things about the band. Etchings made by fans who were bored waiting around...
It was this that made Chas change the Fan Club address to "PO Box 4SF, London, W1A 4SF". The office location effectively became "private" and this helped stop fans calling at the door...
South Molton Street is a busy road full of designer shops, just off Oxford Street. When Chas's office was here, Slade boomed. Slade were at their height. And as the location was so easy to find, Slade fans often stalked the streets here. I visited the location several times - hoping to see the band - but never did.
On the office door was scrawled all sorts of things about the band. Etchings made by fans who were bored waiting around...
It was this that made Chas change the Fan Club address to "PO Box 4SF, London, W1A 4SF". The office location effectively became "private" and this helped stop fans calling at the door...
One minute walk from Bond Street Underground.
Polydor Records HQ - 17/19 Stratford Place, W1
Apart from My Oh My and Run Runaway, Slade had all their big hits when they were on the Polydor label.
Polydor office's were then in Stratford Place, W1. Stratford Place is exactly opposite South Molton Street (Chas's office) on the other side of Oxford Street. The band would visit Polydor infrequently.
However, the most publicised visit was on Friday 29 June 1973 - a few days after Skweeze Me Pleeze Me went straight to No.1 in the UK charts. At this time the band were staying in London at the Holiday inn Hotel, Swiss Cottage. They were preparing for the big gig at Earls Court on Sunday 1 July 1973.
On 29th June the band visited the Polydor offices to hand out 1,000 mini bottles of champagne to staff to say thank you. They were pictured in the street, in front of Don Powell's white Bentley splashing the champagne. A few days later Don was involved in the tragic accident and the car was written off...
Polydor office's were then in Stratford Place, W1. Stratford Place is exactly opposite South Molton Street (Chas's office) on the other side of Oxford Street. The band would visit Polydor infrequently.
However, the most publicised visit was on Friday 29 June 1973 - a few days after Skweeze Me Pleeze Me went straight to No.1 in the UK charts. At this time the band were staying in London at the Holiday inn Hotel, Swiss Cottage. They were preparing for the big gig at Earls Court on Sunday 1 July 1973.
On 29th June the band visited the Polydor offices to hand out 1,000 mini bottles of champagne to staff to say thank you. They were pictured in the street, in front of Don Powell's white Bentley splashing the champagne. A few days later Don was involved in the tragic accident and the car was written off...
Places to visit near Oxford Circus tube...
Five minutes walk from Oxford Circus Underground
BBC Radio One (Broadcasting House) - Portland Place
BBC Broadcasting House was built in 1932. The iconic construction was designed by George Val Myer in collaboration with M T Tudsbery.
How many times did Slade visit Radio One (still based here) in the 1970's? Loads! Tommy Vance, John Peel, and Mike Read also ran their shows from these studios - and they were great champions of Slade..
How many times did Slade visit Radio One (still based here) in the 1970's? Loads! Tommy Vance, John Peel, and Mike Read also ran their shows from these studios - and they were great champions of Slade..
Seven minutes walk from Oxford Circus Underground
Portland (IBC) Studios/Slade Fan Club - 35 Portland Place, W1
Around 1978 Chas Chandler purchased the old IBC Recording Studios in Portland Place. They had previously been owned by Bee Gees - and were just about 100 steps away from BBC's Broadcasting House.
Chas renamed the studios, Portland Studios, and Slade recorded many of their 1980's tracks here (We'll Bring The House Down, Wheels Ain't Coming Down and Lock Up Your Daughters to name a few).
On the first floor was a reception. Here would sit Chas's secretary, Susie Ching. Chas's copies of the Slade Gold and Silver discs filled the walls.
By 1981 I was running the Slade Supporters Club (Fan Club) and I diverted the Slade fan club mail here. Susie would keep it all for me on a separate desk behind where she would sit.
Nowadays, the recording studios have gone - and the building is used for the Colombian Consulate.
Chas renamed the studios, Portland Studios, and Slade recorded many of their 1980's tracks here (We'll Bring The House Down, Wheels Ain't Coming Down and Lock Up Your Daughters to name a few).
On the first floor was a reception. Here would sit Chas's secretary, Susie Ching. Chas's copies of the Slade Gold and Silver discs filled the walls.
By 1981 I was running the Slade Supporters Club (Fan Club) and I diverted the Slade fan club mail here. Susie would keep it all for me on a separate desk behind where she would sit.
Nowadays, the recording studios have gone - and the building is used for the Colombian Consulate.
Seven minutes walk from Oxford Circus Underground
The Dover Castle - Weymouth Mews, W1
Just around the back of Portland Studios is the pub called The Dover Castle.
Slade would use this pub all the time when they were recording - you could nip down the back staircase from the studios, right into the pub. Sometimes, I would drop into the pub and see Noddy sitting in a corner chatting to a technician.
My photos below show that the famous staircase is still there...
Slade would use this pub all the time when they were recording - you could nip down the back staircase from the studios, right into the pub. Sometimes, I would drop into the pub and see Noddy sitting in a corner chatting to a technician.
My photos below show that the famous staircase is still there...
Five minutes walk from Oxford Circus Underground
Bag O' Nails Club, 9 Kingly Street, W1
The Bag O'Nails Club in Kingly Street (just off Carnaby Street and Regent St) is apparantly one of the first venues where Chas Chandler saw Ambrose Slade perform - and he signed them shortly after. The date of their gig at the venue was 5 March 1970.
The venue is still there to this day. It is now known as Mirandas (some of the signs say Bag O' Nails at Mirandas). When I visited in January 2012, the club was being renovated.
The venue is still there to this day. It is now known as Mirandas (some of the signs say Bag O' Nails at Mirandas). When I visited in January 2012, the club was being renovated.
Places to visit near Finsbury Park tube
Two minutes walk from Finsbury Park Underground
Rock Street, N4 / Whatever Happened To Slade
Rock Street, London, N4 was the street address where Slade were photographed for the cover of the Whatever Happened To Slade album.
Unfortunately, the billboards that Slade stood against - which had each of their individual photos overlayed on - have now gone.
However, Slade also had additional photos taken, that were used in the Salvo re-issue recently. These photos were taken in the front of the two houses at 6 and 8 Rock Street. These houses are still there - but have been turned into flats - and the front walkways that were made of chequered tiles have been replaced.
Unfortunately, the billboards that Slade stood against - which had each of their individual photos overlayed on - have now gone.
However, Slade also had additional photos taken, that were used in the Salvo re-issue recently. These photos were taken in the front of the two houses at 6 and 8 Rock Street. These houses are still there - but have been turned into flats - and the front walkways that were made of chequered tiles have been replaced.
Five minutes walk from Finsbury Park Underground
The Rainbow, Finsbury Park
(Situated on corner of Seven Sisters Road and Isledon Rd, N4)
The Rainbow was an iconic music venue in North London.
Slade played here four times in the 1970's:
29 July 1972
10 & 11 November 1972 (video for Gudbuy T'Jane recorded during these performances
- Thin Lizzy & Suzi Quatro were support)
12 May 1977
Also, on 4 September 1974 Slade used the venue to film scenes for the Flame movie.
The venue closed in 1981, and was then just used for occasional unlicensed boxing. Since 1995 the venue has been owned by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. You can still see the old venue in all it's glory - from the outside. Maybe one day it will return to being a rock venue.
Slade played here four times in the 1970's:
29 July 1972
10 & 11 November 1972 (video for Gudbuy T'Jane recorded during these performances
- Thin Lizzy & Suzi Quatro were support)
12 May 1977
Also, on 4 September 1974 Slade used the venue to film scenes for the Flame movie.
The venue closed in 1981, and was then just used for occasional unlicensed boxing. Since 1995 the venue has been owned by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. You can still see the old venue in all it's glory - from the outside. Maybe one day it will return to being a rock venue.
Places to visit near Ladbroke Grove tube
Five minutes walk from Ladbroke Grove Underground
Talbot Road / Portobello Road - public toilets (in Slade In Flame)
Autumn 1974 - Part of the filming of Slade's movie, Flame, was completed in Portobello Road Market in West London.
Nod was a street seller selling china that would "smash, but won't chip". During the sequence Jim Lea (Paul) comes to visit Nod (Stoker) and they go for a pee. The famous Gentleman's toilets at the Talbot Road / Portobello Road intersection are still there (right outside Rough Trade Records). However, the toilets are now boarded up and not used....
Nod was a street seller selling china that would "smash, but won't chip". During the sequence Jim Lea (Paul) comes to visit Nod (Stoker) and they go for a pee. The famous Gentleman's toilets at the Talbot Road / Portobello Road intersection are still there (right outside Rough Trade Records). However, the toilets are now boarded up and not used....
Places near Hammersmith tube
Five minutes walk from Hammersmith Underground
Brook Green
Around July 1974, Slade were filming Flame and the concert scenes at the Hammersmith Palais. (The Standing On The Corner filming was done there).
The band took time off to do a promotional photo shoot with athletes Donna Murray and Lesley Kiernan in Brook Green park.
Map showing Brook Green
The band took time off to do a promotional photo shoot with athletes Donna Murray and Lesley Kiernan in Brook Green park.
Map showing Brook Green
One minute walk from Hammersmith Underground
Hammersmith Odeon (now called Hammersmith Apollo since 2000).
Slade played numerous gigs as the Hammersmith Odeon:-
16, 17 & 18 May 1974 - supported by Beckett
15 April 1978
26 January 1981
21 December 1981
17 & 18 December 1982
Apart from the change in name, the venue has not changed too much over the years. It can be found on the ringroad at Hammersmith, near to the flyover.
16, 17 & 18 May 1974 - supported by Beckett
15 April 1978
26 January 1981
21 December 1981
17 & 18 December 1982
Apart from the change in name, the venue has not changed too much over the years. It can be found on the ringroad at Hammersmith, near to the flyover.
One minute walk from Hammersmith Underground
Hammersmith Palais
mHammersmith Palais was the location where Slade recorded the Standing On The Corner sequence for the movie Flame. Also, the backstage concert scenes in the dressing room (including Charlie's parents, Paul's wife Julie and Barry's girlfriend Angie) were shot here.
The Palais was recently demolished (May 2012) - and when I took my photos (below) just boarding could be seen where the venue had been demolished to make way for student accomodation. The Palais was situated in Shepherd's Bush Road, Hammersmith Station end - just along from the old Fire Station and next door to the pub The Lawrie Arms).
The Palais was recently demolished (May 2012) - and when I took my photos (below) just boarding could be seen where the venue had been demolished to make way for student accomodation. The Palais was situated in Shepherd's Bush Road, Hammersmith Station end - just along from the old Fire Station and next door to the pub The Lawrie Arms).
One minute walk from Hammersmith Underground
Hammersmith Fire Station (used in Flame?)
I am not 100% sure - but I think that the old Fire Station in Shepherd's Bush Road (Hammersmith Station end) was used for the Fire Station sequence in the movie Flame.
The Old Fire Station is still there - it is now a restaurant.
Why do I think this is the location? Well, it was just a few doors down from the Hammersmith Palais. Also, when the band shot the sequence at the Fire Station they wore the same stage clothes that were in the shots at the Hammersmith Palais. I think they were maybe filmed on the same day? If anyone can shed any light on this - please email me.
The Old Fire Station is still there - it is now a restaurant.
Why do I think this is the location? Well, it was just a few doors down from the Hammersmith Palais. Also, when the band shot the sequence at the Fire Station they wore the same stage clothes that were in the shots at the Hammersmith Palais. I think they were maybe filmed on the same day? If anyone can shed any light on this - please email me.
Places near Clapham Junction tube and British Rail
Ten minutes walk from Clapham Juncion tube and Britsih Rail
Battersea Town Hall (now called Battersea Arts Centre), Town Hall Road, SW11 5TN
Battersea Town Hall was where Slade filmed a sequence in Flame - Barry's 21st Birthday Party. This is where the band also get presented a silver disc for "So Far So Good" and Ron Harding (old band manager) approaches Robert Seymour (new band manager), whilst leaving the building, so say that the band are still contracted to him.
