Slade were the most successful group of the 1970s.Histor
y o the band
Slade started life as Ambrose
All 4 members of slade were from the Midlands
Noddy Holder- Lead Vocals and Rythmn guitar,
Jim Lea - Bass Guitar-Violin,
Dave Hill- Lead Guitar,
Don Powell- Drums and Percussion,
They first came together in the 1960s as the' N' Betweens, then they changed the bands name to Ambrose Slade.
After a chance meeting with Chas Chandler in February 1969 they agreed that he would be their manager and producer.
It was the best thing that slade ever did as he had recently found and managed " Jimi Hendrix"!
He saw something special but needed a way for them to project this.
Slade as skinheads and on the Alan Price Show 1969.
The name was abbreviated to Slade and to gain attention for them they adopted a skinhead image.
It failed as the skinheads were into Reggae and Slade were playing hard rock music.
However the bands natural exuberance and Noddy Holders powerful vocals began to win them a young audience.
A reworking of the Little Richard song"Get Down and Get With It" gave them their first hit in May 1971.
Click Here to watch "Get Down and Get With it"
With the Holder/Lea song "Coz i Luv You" the same year hitting the number 1 slot,
the band established a formula which would make them
the top teenage band in Britain and their live act was unsurpassable.
They purposely mispelled the song titles too.
Much to the bain of School teachers!
You knew you were in for a brilliant night with Slade!
ruary 1969Slade, a bunch of threatening skins fromWalsall
7hst the Ambrose a
nd Noddy
Holder was giving it loadith his t
op hat covered in mirrors.
The gBetween 1972 and 1974 the group could do no wrong.
The songs "Take me Bak Ome", " Gudbuy t'Jane","Mama Weer all Crazee now","Squeeze me Pleeze me",
"Come on Feel The Noize" and "Merry Xmas Everybody" were massively successful.
They had six number ones in 3 years in the UK alone!
Slade were the first act to have 3 singles enter the chart at number 1!
They had so much power and gut enthusiasm and were so much fun.
Click Here to watch "Take Me bak 'Ome"
In an effort to broaden their horizons they made a film in 1974 called "Flame".
The groups acting was praised by critics but failed to catch the publics imagination and they were left to pick up their career.
They made attempts to crack the US market with no availe.
More hits continued but it seemed that Slade's heyday was passed.
Click Here to watch "How does it feel" from 1975.
In 1980 they were on the brink of splitting up unitl they were offered the chance to play at the Reading Festival.
After the first number the crowd were extatic and the audience forced them to play
Merry Xmas Everybody in the middle of July!!
Slade were Back!
The hits started to come again with "We'll Bring the House down" reaching number 10 in 1981,
"My oh My" peaking at number 2 in 1983,and "Run, Runaway" at number 7 in 1984.
The bands last hit was in 1991 with "Radio Wall of Sound".
At this time Noddy holder and Jim Lea decided that it was time to explore other avenues thus leaving Slade.
Dave Hill and Don Powell continue today as Slade with other members.
Noddy is a radio and tv personality he recieved an M.B.E in 2000 and Jim is a physciatrist!
However without Noddy and Jim, Slade's magic Just isnt the same.
Dave Hill and Don Pwell continue today as Slade heir h
Manager, Producer, Genius and basically great friend of the band
Chas Chandler sadly passed away in 1996 from a heart conditon.
it singles ally formed in 1966 from the component members of two Midlands bands The Vendors and Steve Brett & The Mavericks and was called the N'Betweens, but initially had little success. Inthe late19
60s, the band changed its name to Ambrose Slade and hooked up with managerformer
Click on the link below to see Slade perform