Swiss Cottage Holiday Inn 1973
Me with the fans - Holiday Inn -Popswap 1973
Summer 1973. This is where my liking for Slade went to another level. It was the school summer holidays. I was 13 and playing football in the local park in Fortune Green.
All the local kids knew that I liked Slade.
A friend named Joana Dasso approached me and said something like "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be down Swiss Cottage?"
"Why?" I shrugged.
"Because Slade are staying in the Holiday Inn. Didn't you see it on the news last night?"
Apparently hundreds of kids had found out that Slade were staying there, as the band were preparing for the Earl's Court gig at the weekend. Word had spread like wildfire. When the band returned by cab to the hotel on Wednesday afternoon - a pack of kids were waiting and chased them into the hotel. The band were shocked, and so were the hotel management - who suddenly had to cope with loads of unruly kids in their forecourt.
Within minutes of being told the news, I was on the bus with my mate David Davensac to Swiss Cottage - which was just 5 minutes away.
Yes. What I was told had been true. Scores of kids were perched on the wall opposite the hotel foyer and there were just a couple of policemen trying to keep control. The kids had turned up from all over North London. I remember speaking to kids from Kilburn, Kentish Town and Camden.
I saw the hotel manager trying to keep order. He was also in the local newspapers that evening demanding that Slade leave the hotel. Chas Chandler insisted that they had done no wrong - and they would not budge.
However, I was initially in deep water with the other fans who were at the hotel. Although I had a couple of canvas Slade patches on my jeans (one of Noddy in Top Hat and one of all four Slade members - bought from Woolworths) I also had a Marc Bolan patch - and this didn't go down too well. I turned things around by using my knowledge of the band to convince the Slade fans of my true allegiance to the Slade cause!
Me and my pal David chatted to the kids for several hours - but we saw nothing of Slade. A girl fan told us that the band's suites were numbered 329 and 330 and were on the 3rd floor. If we managed to get into the hotel these were the rooms that we had to head for. (God - how do I remember this stuff?).
All the local kids knew that I liked Slade.
A friend named Joana Dasso approached me and said something like "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be down Swiss Cottage?"
"Why?" I shrugged.
"Because Slade are staying in the Holiday Inn. Didn't you see it on the news last night?"
Apparently hundreds of kids had found out that Slade were staying there, as the band were preparing for the Earl's Court gig at the weekend. Word had spread like wildfire. When the band returned by cab to the hotel on Wednesday afternoon - a pack of kids were waiting and chased them into the hotel. The band were shocked, and so were the hotel management - who suddenly had to cope with loads of unruly kids in their forecourt.
Within minutes of being told the news, I was on the bus with my mate David Davensac to Swiss Cottage - which was just 5 minutes away.
Yes. What I was told had been true. Scores of kids were perched on the wall opposite the hotel foyer and there were just a couple of policemen trying to keep control. The kids had turned up from all over North London. I remember speaking to kids from Kilburn, Kentish Town and Camden.
I saw the hotel manager trying to keep order. He was also in the local newspapers that evening demanding that Slade leave the hotel. Chas Chandler insisted that they had done no wrong - and they would not budge.
However, I was initially in deep water with the other fans who were at the hotel. Although I had a couple of canvas Slade patches on my jeans (one of Noddy in Top Hat and one of all four Slade members - bought from Woolworths) I also had a Marc Bolan patch - and this didn't go down too well. I turned things around by using my knowledge of the band to convince the Slade fans of my true allegiance to the Slade cause!
Me and my pal David chatted to the kids for several hours - but we saw nothing of Slade. A girl fan told us that the band's suites were numbered 329 and 330 and were on the 3rd floor. If we managed to get into the hotel these were the rooms that we had to head for. (God - how do I remember this stuff?).
The Holiday Inn Swiss Cottage
Eventually, David decided to go home for dinner - but as I was so excited that "my" band were in the neighbourhood, I decided to stay on.
Then suprisingly, a policemen on duty let the fans know that Noddy was waving from his hotel room window - round the back of the hotel. I thought this was strange - and as the kids ran round the back, I stayed by myself at the front. I soon saw a black cab disappear to the underground car park. I followed it down and was so thrilled to bump into Don, Jim and his wife Louise, who were getting into the cab. Obviously Nod had been acting as a decoy to keep fans away from the front of the hotel. I was over the moon - I ran alongside the cab waving and talking to Don and Jim as they headed towards the West End.
How peeved were the other Slade fans when they returned to the front of the hotel and heard my story!
Later that day I saw Nod - who left in a car from the underground car park. He had been hiding on the floor of the cab - and popped up as soon as he was past all the fans.
The next day was fruitless as I waited again on the wall outside the hotel entrance. I could see through the plate glass windows a guy who looked a bit like Jim. He was entering the restaurant. I thought it would be fun to mention that it to a couple of girls. Next thing I knew they were screaming and clamouring over the windows - sweaty finger prints and palm marks everywhere. However, to my amazement it actually WAS Jim! And it was me who caused a big commotion. The hotel manager was later out front complaining about fans smearing his freshly cleaned windows to the police.
Then suprisingly, a policemen on duty let the fans know that Noddy was waving from his hotel room window - round the back of the hotel. I thought this was strange - and as the kids ran round the back, I stayed by myself at the front. I soon saw a black cab disappear to the underground car park. I followed it down and was so thrilled to bump into Don, Jim and his wife Louise, who were getting into the cab. Obviously Nod had been acting as a decoy to keep fans away from the front of the hotel. I was over the moon - I ran alongside the cab waving and talking to Don and Jim as they headed towards the West End.
How peeved were the other Slade fans when they returned to the front of the hotel and heard my story!
Later that day I saw Nod - who left in a car from the underground car park. He had been hiding on the floor of the cab - and popped up as soon as he was past all the fans.
The next day was fruitless as I waited again on the wall outside the hotel entrance. I could see through the plate glass windows a guy who looked a bit like Jim. He was entering the restaurant. I thought it would be fun to mention that it to a couple of girls. Next thing I knew they were screaming and clamouring over the windows - sweaty finger prints and palm marks everywhere. However, to my amazement it actually WAS Jim! And it was me who caused a big commotion. The hotel manager was later out front complaining about fans smearing his freshly cleaned windows to the police.
Don's battered Bentley
My mates had missed out on seeing Slade and I had done it. There was even more upset for my friends a few weeks later. Another friend, Chris Dancy, picked up Popswap magazine. In the centre pages was a picture of all the kids outside the hotel. Although not a great shot - you could just about see me in the picture. I was so smug - I was famous!!
My Holiday Inn experience was soon ruined however. I remembered seeing Don's white Bentley parked in the underground car park. Unfortunately some kids who'd seen it decided to scrawl messages all over the car in lipstick and some chose rip the window screen wipers off to keep as souvenirs. The car was repaired and just days later he crashed it in Wolverhampton (in the early hours of 4 July 1973). A crash that almost cost Don his life....
For years I wondered if the accident had somehow been caused by the actions of the fans tampering with the car.
My Holiday Inn experience was soon ruined however. I remembered seeing Don's white Bentley parked in the underground car park. Unfortunately some kids who'd seen it decided to scrawl messages all over the car in lipstick and some chose rip the window screen wipers off to keep as souvenirs. The car was repaired and just days later he crashed it in Wolverhampton (in the early hours of 4 July 1973). A crash that almost cost Don his life....
For years I wondered if the accident had somehow been caused by the actions of the fans tampering with the car.
Newspaper articles about the siege of the Holiday Inn
Newspaper articles about Don's crash
The return of Don Powell at Brands Hatch
Girls grab the boys - Brands Hatch
Don made his return to the public eye on Sunday 12 August 1973 at a Radio Luxembourg Fun Day organised at Brands Hatch Race Track. I think this was the first radio "Fun Day" that was organised - and was followed numerous similar summer events for years later. It was Chas's decision that Slade and Don should attend - it was to be a way to ease Don back in to the limelight.
I didn't go to the event but I heard the broadcast on the radio. It was just over four weeks since Don's accident. He appeared with his shaven head that showed his hair growing back. He carried a walking stick. Also in attendance with Slade were Suzi Quatro, New World, Geordie, Greg Lake (ELP), Rick Wakeman and Linda Lewis.
There was a display race of Ford Escots which was won by Ronnie Scott, 2nd was Greg Lake and 3rd was Brian Gibson (Geordie). Ronnie Scott was presented with a nominal trophy and did a lap of honour on an open top vehicle - accompanied by Slade.
When the band got off the vehicle fans got over the barriers and on to the racetrack - and set chase. Poor Don couldn't run - and the other members had to help him into the safe haven of the stadium.
Two years later, in 1975, things had completely turned around with Slade's fortunes - when they appeared at a Radio One "Fun Day". An event took place at Mallory Park in the Midlands on 18 May 1975. Slade attended but their appearance was totally overshadowed by the Bay City Rollers. The Rollers landed by helicopter on an island in the middle of the park. In their determination to meet the band, hundreds of girls decided to swim across the water - only to find they started to drown as their Roller tartan scarves (tied round their wrists) became sodden and heavy! Slade were almost completely ignored….
I didn't go to the event but I heard the broadcast on the radio. It was just over four weeks since Don's accident. He appeared with his shaven head that showed his hair growing back. He carried a walking stick. Also in attendance with Slade were Suzi Quatro, New World, Geordie, Greg Lake (ELP), Rick Wakeman and Linda Lewis.
There was a display race of Ford Escots which was won by Ronnie Scott, 2nd was Greg Lake and 3rd was Brian Gibson (Geordie). Ronnie Scott was presented with a nominal trophy and did a lap of honour on an open top vehicle - accompanied by Slade.
When the band got off the vehicle fans got over the barriers and on to the racetrack - and set chase. Poor Don couldn't run - and the other members had to help him into the safe haven of the stadium.
Two years later, in 1975, things had completely turned around with Slade's fortunes - when they appeared at a Radio One "Fun Day". An event took place at Mallory Park in the Midlands on 18 May 1975. Slade attended but their appearance was totally overshadowed by the Bay City Rollers. The Rollers landed by helicopter on an island in the middle of the park. In their determination to meet the band, hundreds of girls decided to swim across the water - only to find they started to drown as their Roller tartan scarves (tied round their wrists) became sodden and heavy! Slade were almost completely ignored….