How My Slade "Gang" Got Together
At some stage in 1978 I went to an event for Slade In Flame movie at the National Film Theatre in London.
I was there by myself – and got talking to the guy sitting in front of me – John Gibbings. John was slightly older than myself, lived in Enfield, and was a huge Slade fan. We swapped phone numbers and promised to keep in touch.
Later in 1978 - when Sounds first announced Slade’s six week autumn tour – we spoke and decided to both go to the opening gig at Chatham Central Hall (Saturday 23 September). I bought the tickets and Me, John and his pal called Paul travelled there by car.
We arrived mid afternoon and went to check out the Central Hall. By the stage door I found Kevin Massey (from East Ham) and Alison Hillmen (from Wigan). We got talking – and I remember Kevin taking the mickey because I was the “Famous Dave Kemp” who had several letters published in Record Mirror. I instantly got on with him. We sat upstairs in the venue, watched the band’s sound check – and were eventually thrown out by Swinn the Road Manager (before returning for the gig later). However, we arranged to meet up again the following night (Sunday 24 September) as Slade were starting a week’s residency at Watford Bailey’s.
Once again, I travelled to Watford with John Gibbings – arriving late afternoon. While we waited for Kevin, I got chatting to another couple of fans who were hanging around by themselves. Simon Harvey (from Slough) had travelled down by motorbike and had a skinhead type look. Also, a young girl called Julyet Burcombe (from Wallington) was waiting. We talked until Slade arrived at the venue.
Kevin and Alison eventually turned up. This time they had Sue O’Leary (from Oxford) in tow – with her screw-lose boyfriend, Tony. Sue O’Leary had become mates with Alison Hillmen in 1977 – after Alison had been featured in a Fan Club Newsletter (as she was preparing a fan book to present to the band).
All of the group above:- Me, John, Kevin, Alison, Simon, Julyet and Sue attended near enough all of the week’s gigs in Watford. During the week we also met a rather weird looking young girl called Sharon Timms (from Wembley) who joined our “gang”. Poor Sharon was quite tubby – and unbeknown to her she was actually pregnant and gave birth a few months later.
The Chatham and Watford gigs of September 1978 marked the coming together of a band of friends. All of us were aged in our late teens – and had started work over the previous few months. We had all liked Slade since the early 1970’s and had all been upset when the band “emigrated” to the USA for 2 years. Likewise we were all thrilled that Slade were back in the UK and touring with gusto in the Autumn of 1978. It didn’t matter to us that Slade were now playing “lesser” venues – we were just pleased that a) The band were doing loads of gigs, and b) We could afford to see them as we were all working (but often taking days off sick to get to the gigs).
Over the course of the next couple of years we all met up often – and travelled to scores of gigs – mainly in the South of England. There were probably pockets of other fans in similar circumstances to us all around the UK. However, we all thought that we were the No1 Gang….
I was there by myself – and got talking to the guy sitting in front of me – John Gibbings. John was slightly older than myself, lived in Enfield, and was a huge Slade fan. We swapped phone numbers and promised to keep in touch.
Later in 1978 - when Sounds first announced Slade’s six week autumn tour – we spoke and decided to both go to the opening gig at Chatham Central Hall (Saturday 23 September). I bought the tickets and Me, John and his pal called Paul travelled there by car.
We arrived mid afternoon and went to check out the Central Hall. By the stage door I found Kevin Massey (from East Ham) and Alison Hillmen (from Wigan). We got talking – and I remember Kevin taking the mickey because I was the “Famous Dave Kemp” who had several letters published in Record Mirror. I instantly got on with him. We sat upstairs in the venue, watched the band’s sound check – and were eventually thrown out by Swinn the Road Manager (before returning for the gig later). However, we arranged to meet up again the following night (Sunday 24 September) as Slade were starting a week’s residency at Watford Bailey’s.
Once again, I travelled to Watford with John Gibbings – arriving late afternoon. While we waited for Kevin, I got chatting to another couple of fans who were hanging around by themselves. Simon Harvey (from Slough) had travelled down by motorbike and had a skinhead type look. Also, a young girl called Julyet Burcombe (from Wallington) was waiting. We talked until Slade arrived at the venue.
Kevin and Alison eventually turned up. This time they had Sue O’Leary (from Oxford) in tow – with her screw-lose boyfriend, Tony. Sue O’Leary had become mates with Alison Hillmen in 1977 – after Alison had been featured in a Fan Club Newsletter (as she was preparing a fan book to present to the band).
All of the group above:- Me, John, Kevin, Alison, Simon, Julyet and Sue attended near enough all of the week’s gigs in Watford. During the week we also met a rather weird looking young girl called Sharon Timms (from Wembley) who joined our “gang”. Poor Sharon was quite tubby – and unbeknown to her she was actually pregnant and gave birth a few months later.
The Chatham and Watford gigs of September 1978 marked the coming together of a band of friends. All of us were aged in our late teens – and had started work over the previous few months. We had all liked Slade since the early 1970’s and had all been upset when the band “emigrated” to the USA for 2 years. Likewise we were all thrilled that Slade were back in the UK and touring with gusto in the Autumn of 1978. It didn’t matter to us that Slade were now playing “lesser” venues – we were just pleased that a) The band were doing loads of gigs, and b) We could afford to see them as we were all working (but often taking days off sick to get to the gigs).
Over the course of the next couple of years we all met up often – and travelled to scores of gigs – mainly in the South of England. There were probably pockets of other fans in similar circumstances to us all around the UK. However, we all thought that we were the No1 Gang….
National Film Theatre programme for Flame - 1978 (when I first met John Gibbings...)
Other fans along the way...
Gill Thomson - Gill was another big fan. She lived in County Durham - and went to all the Newcastle gigs in the 70's. She was a friend of Kevin Massey - and I got to know her well. She later relocated to King's Lynn - where she now still lives. We went to the Reading Festival in 1980 - and recently got back in touch. In 2011 we travelled to Stevenage together to meet Nod on his "Bangers Tour". We plan to travel to other events together..
Trevor Slaughter, Jenny Gamble and Dave Jewell (the Oxford contingent) - I got to know them when Trevor took over the running of the Slade Fan Club in 1986. Trevor was a lovely guy - but he could be quite serious.
Paul Lythe - Paul later took over the running of the Fan Club from Trevor. I used to see Paul often - because like me, he worked in London. Paul had a good sense of fun - and we always had a good laugh when we met. Paul lives outside Margate - and I still keep in touch with him and his wife, Jane.
Nomis (Simon Baurley) - I met Nomis in the late 70's when I occasionally travelled to Slade's Northern gigs. He was always there. He helped me out when I ran the Fan Club - he used his firm to print badges and t-shirts and thing to sell. I'm still in touch with him and his partner Liz to this day.
Fran Tucker - I sat next to Fran at the London premiere of Flame in 1975 - and we chatted. I met her again years later at the Slade conventions. She knew Don very well - and like me was friends with his Mum and Dad. Fran also used to travel to Bilston to meet them, the same as me.
John Berry - John was a fan from Southgate in North London. I first met him and his brother (Steve) at the first ever Fan Club Convention in London in 1986. We became great friends. John supports Arsenal (like me). We have travelled to numerous games together home and abroad. We also have started an annual event of going to Butlin's 70's weekends in the Spring each year...
Mark Smith - Mark is from Mansfield. Once again I first met him at one of the early conventions. He and his brother Tim, and their families are good friends of mine. Over the years I have also got to know Mark's circle of friends - and we socialise regularly.
Nigel Hart - Nigel was from Cricklewood. Not far from where I used to live in West Hampstead. I got to know him when he knocked on my door once, when I ran the fan club. I have kept in touch over the years. He is another member of the Butlins 70's weekends gang - and we meet up once a year for a fun packed weekend!
Trevor Slaughter, Jenny Gamble and Dave Jewell (the Oxford contingent) - I got to know them when Trevor took over the running of the Slade Fan Club in 1986. Trevor was a lovely guy - but he could be quite serious.
Paul Lythe - Paul later took over the running of the Fan Club from Trevor. I used to see Paul often - because like me, he worked in London. Paul had a good sense of fun - and we always had a good laugh when we met. Paul lives outside Margate - and I still keep in touch with him and his wife, Jane.
Nomis (Simon Baurley) - I met Nomis in the late 70's when I occasionally travelled to Slade's Northern gigs. He was always there. He helped me out when I ran the Fan Club - he used his firm to print badges and t-shirts and thing to sell. I'm still in touch with him and his partner Liz to this day.
Fran Tucker - I sat next to Fran at the London premiere of Flame in 1975 - and we chatted. I met her again years later at the Slade conventions. She knew Don very well - and like me was friends with his Mum and Dad. Fran also used to travel to Bilston to meet them, the same as me.
John Berry - John was a fan from Southgate in North London. I first met him and his brother (Steve) at the first ever Fan Club Convention in London in 1986. We became great friends. John supports Arsenal (like me). We have travelled to numerous games together home and abroad. We also have started an annual event of going to Butlin's 70's weekends in the Spring each year...
Mark Smith - Mark is from Mansfield. Once again I first met him at one of the early conventions. He and his brother Tim, and their families are good friends of mine. Over the years I have also got to know Mark's circle of friends - and we socialise regularly.
Nigel Hart - Nigel was from Cricklewood. Not far from where I used to live in West Hampstead. I got to know him when he knocked on my door once, when I ran the fan club. I have kept in touch over the years. He is another member of the Butlins 70's weekends gang - and we meet up once a year for a fun packed weekend!
Gallery of Slade Fans
The Slade fans that I've met and friends that I've made on my Slade journey.
