The Vendors With Dave & Don 1964

As youths the boys had all played in their own bands, gaining their individual experience as young musicians. Over the years they crossed each others paths which lead to Don's Dave's, Noddy's and Jim's future to be destined to come together.

Don Meets Dave
​Don's first band was called "The Vendor's" and managed by a man known as Chalky White..................Dave Hill's formed a band called "The Young Ones" with some school friends. Dave (during a gig) was spotted by Chalky White, he invited Dave to audition to join "The Vendor's"... which he did.

Dave & Don Meet Noddy
​Noddy's first band was called "Rockin' Phantoms" later changing it's name to The Memphis Cuts Outs. Noddy had seen many of his band members come and go, late 1964 his band was approached by a singer called Steve Brett. Steve's backing band (The Mavericks) had split from him and Steve asked "The Memphis Cut Outs" to replace them, which they did and then became "Steve Brett & The Mavericks".

"The 'N Betweens" often shared gig venues with "Steve Brett And The Mavericks", and one time by chance were also aboard the same ferry to Germany, to attend separate venues. It was at this point that Noddy Holder got to hear of how insecure "The 'N Betweens" were becoming, Noddy was asked, by Don and Dave if he would consider forming a 'new band' with them.

The Vendors Become The 'N Betweens Late 1964

Nod In The Memphis Cut-Outs

Dave, Don & Noddy Meet Jim
Jim Lea's first band "Nick and The Axemen".....Jim saw an audition advert in the local paper for "The 'N Betweens", he attended and made an impression. Basically Don Powell could see the unique talent Lea had and took it upon himself to approach Jim personally without the knowledge of others of "The 'N Between" members apart from Dave. So Dave and Noddy ( who had now agreed to setting up a breakaway band of there own) The three called to Jim's home asking him to join them in their planned New Band.

Jim & Noddy Join The 'N Betweens
​Tensions often ran high as the breaking away from The 'N Betweens was the plan of action, of Don & Dave to making a quartet along with Noddy and Jim. In fact the four had done as secret rehearsal, leaving other members of The 'N Betweens unaware.
In June 1966 The 'N Betweens Played at Park Ballroom in Plymouth, in a last minute dilemma they were minus a fifth band member (Johnny Howells) and so it meant the quartet of Don, Dave, Noddy and Jim had made there first public appearance. The 'N Betweens was soon after officially made up of just this quartet.

Steve Brett & The Mavericks

Jim & Noddy Join The 'N Betweens

As time went on, the friendship of the four musicians was getting stronger, although the relationship between them and Astra Agent was unfortunately breaking down, the group gave up there loyalties with Astra, and a manager by the name of Anita Anderson comes into the legend, with Anita's connections the groups destined fate began..
Early 1969 "The 'N Betweens" became "Ambrose Slade" due to an interest in the group by Jack Baverstocks (Phillips Records) He had advised a few changes, one being to change the groups name. Although the quartet apprehensively at the time, agreed to what became a significant change.

Via Jack Baverstocks connections the group came of interest to a man known as Chas Chandler who, extremely impressed with the quartet ,and even more after seeing an arranged live perform, promptly offered to become there manager.
A financial settlement was made to Anita Anderson's agency, and Jack was also informed that Chas was now to become manager of "Ambrose Slade".
Chas (originally from 'The Animals' band) a well respected man, who had also discovered Jimi Hendrix, took "Ambrose Slade" under his wing, he gave them immense support and in return gain twice the respect from the quartet. Chas encouraged them to start writing their own material.
It was late 1969 that the "Ambrose" part of the groups name was dropped
Dave, Don, Jim and Noddy were now to be known as Slade.

The 'N Betweens Quartet, shortly to be called Ambrose Slade