History Of Slade
Slade are one of the most recognizable bands of the glam rock movement. They were well known for the deliberate misspelling of their song titles and during their peak, they were the most popular band in the U.K. amassing 21 top 20 hit singles, including 6 number 1's and 7 top 20 hit albums, including 3 number 1's.
Slade are a band from the Black Country, which is an area in the West Midlands in England. Members, drummer Don Powell, and bassist Jim Lea, were both born and raised in Wolverhampton, England. Dave Hill, the bands lead guitarist was born in the city, Devon, and moved to Wolverhampton during his childhood. Noddy Holder, the bands singer, was born and raised in a nearby city called, Walsall.
In 1966, the band started as "The 'N Betweens". At first, the band had very little success, except for the local club circuit, where they constantly played. During the late 1960’s the band changed their name to
"Ambrose Slade".
In May 1969, the band released their first album, "Beginnings". In the U.S.A., the albums title was changed to "Ballzy". The bands name at the time was still "Ambrose Slade". The album failed to chart in the U.K. and in the U.S.A.
Chas Chandler their manager (formerly from The Animals band) was not pleased with the debut album and thought the band would benefit from writing their own material and a change of image. The band adopted a skinhead look as an attempt to gain publicity from what was a newsworthy youth fashion trend but this also added an unwelcome association with football hooliganism.Noddy Holder and Don Powell were particularly tough individuals already, and the skinhead look exacerbated the disturbing effect of having "toughs" in the band.In 1970, the band shortened their name to "Slade".
"Play It Loud", Slade’s second album, was released in November 1970. The album had hardly any promotion, so it failed to reach a wide audience and didn't chart in the U.K. There was no hit single either, but it still regarded as an influential rock release by some. The album is considered a foreshadow to the punk explosion, which happened seven years later, also in the U.K.
No U.K. album was released in 1971.
In March 1972, the band released their first live album "Slade Alive". It peaked at number 2 on the U.K. chart. It is regarded as one of the best live albums ever released.
Also released in November 1972 was Slade’s third studio album, called "Slayed?" This album contained two of the groups biggest hits, "Gudbuy T’ Jane" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now". Rock critics usually say that it is their greatest studio album. The album peaked at number 1 on the U.K. chart.
In September 1973, the band released a compilation album called, "Sladest". The album debut at number 1 on the U.K. chart and stayed in the Top 10 until 1974, when it climbed to number 1 once again.<br><br>
February 1974 saw the release of the fourth studio album from Slade, called, "Old New Borrowed And Blue". It peaked at number 1 on the U.K. chart. The album was released in the U.S.A., but it had the alternate title of, "Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet". It also had a different track listing it the U.S.A.
Later in the year November 1974, the band released a soundtrack to a movie called, "Slade In Flame". Both the movie and the album were called, "Slade In Flame". The album peaked at number 6 on the U.K. chart and produced two successful singles, "Far Far Away", and "How Does It Feel". They peaked at number 2 and 15, respectively.
No U.K. album was released in 1975.
In March of 1976, the band released their album, "Nobody’s Fools". The album peaked at number 14 on the U.K. charts. This would be the bands last album to reach the U.K. charts until the 1980’s. On this album, the band’s sound move more towards an American type sound, instead of the typical U.K. Slade sound. Most people think this is due to the fact that they were in the U.S.A. for most of 1975 and trying to capture their audience there.
"Whatever Happened To Slade" released March 1977, was the bands next release, but didn’t reach the U.K. chart. During this period in time, the bands popularity was decreasing, which influenced the albums title. The album had much praise from the critics, but still was a commercial failure (American influenced again in my eye, but I think is 1 of their best albums).
The band released another live album called, "Slade Alive, Vol. 2", in October 1978. This was released during the time the bands popularity was steadily decreasing, so it did chart.
By 1979, the band had hardly any money. They had no money to hire a photographer, so they just used a plain red cover, with the album title at the top. The album was called, "Return To Base" and released in October of that year. The band also had to haul their own equipment and they had trouble getting into their backstage area at some gigs. The album failed to chart in the U.K..
In August of 1980, Ozzy Osbourne had to cancel a show on his tour at a very short notice for Reading Festival.
Slade, were recommended as a replacement. At first, the band didn't want to play the gig, because they had disbanded, but instead they did because it could have been their last show together in front of a huge crowd, instead of a small club. To the bands surprise, they were well received and got some much needed publicity. Ironically, the band did nothing different onstage than they did at their normal gigs. After the successful performance at Reading Festival, the band released another compilation called, "Slade Smashes" released in October of that year. After the publicity and successful performance, the album peaked at number 21 on the U.K. chart.
Still off the heels of the success of Reading Festival, the band went back into the studio to record their next album. "We'll Bring The House Down" which was released in March 1981 and debuted at number 25 on the U.K. chart. Some tracks were re released from their 1979 album, "Return To Base". Later on in the year November, the band also released the "Till Deaf Do Us Part" album. It was not as successful as "We'll Bring The House Down", but the album still did well, peaking at number 68 in the U.K. chart. "Lock Up Your Daughters" was the first single off the album and peaked at number 29 on the U.K. chart.
While on tour in support of their album, the band released their third live album, it was called "Slade On Stage". The album was recorded in 1981, but not released until December of 1982. This album peaked at number 98 in the U.K. chart.
The bands next studio album was called, "The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome". The was released in December of 1983. It peaked at number 49 on the U.K. chart and number 20 on the U.S.A. Billboard chart. This was Slade's first real break through in the U.S.A.. Two singles, "My Oh My", and "Run Runaway", had videos on MTV that helped increase sales of the album as well. The American version of the album had a different track listing as the release from the U.K. The alternate version of "The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome", was called "Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply". This is the version that was released in the U.S.A. This version of the album reached number 33 in the U.S.A. chart. This was Slades most successful album that was released in the U.S.A.
No U.K. album was released in 1984.
In March 1985, the band released their next album "Rogues Gallery". It peaked at number 60 on the U.K. chart. On this album, the band tried writing songs that would be hits and still have quality material as well. This was done because critics were saying that the momentum of the band was decreasing. Later in 1985, the band released a Christmas party album Later in November 1985, the band released a Christmas party album called, "Crackers – The Christmas Party Album". It peaked at number 34 in the U.K. chart and contained several hits for the band that have been re recorded. This album has been re released a few times now with different titles.
No U.K. album was released in 1986.
The last album with the original line up was released April 1987 named "You Boyz Make Big Noize". It debuted at number 98 on the U.K. chart, and only spent a week there.
In November 1991 they released another compilation album "Wall of Hits" this peaked at number 34 on the U.K. chart (also release as a vhs video). While this was a compilation album, the band included two new songs on it. They were "Radio Wall of Sound", which turned out to be a successful hit for the band, peaking number 21 on the U.K. chart. The other new song was "Universe". That song didn’t chart in the U.K., though in my eye it should have.
After this album, Noddy Holder, the lead singer left the band after 25 years. He left because he had become too tired of all of the touring the band did. Jimmy Lea retired at this time as well.
The only other albums to be released by the band were compilations. "Feel The Noize – The Very Best of Slade", which was released in February 1997 and peaked at number 19 on the U.K. chart. This encouraged other bands from the glam rock era to release greatest hits compilations as well.
In 2002 the 4 members of Slade received honorary degrees at Wolverhampton University for their contribution to the music industry.
"The Very Best of Slade" was another compilation album and released in November 2005 and it peaked at number 34 on the U.K. music chart (also released as a dvd).
Slade are a band from the Black Country, which is an area in the West Midlands in England. Members, drummer Don Powell, and bassist Jim Lea, were both born and raised in Wolverhampton, England. Dave Hill, the bands lead guitarist was born in the city, Devon, and moved to Wolverhampton during his childhood. Noddy Holder, the bands singer, was born and raised in a nearby city called, Walsall.
In 1966, the band started as "The 'N Betweens". At first, the band had very little success, except for the local club circuit, where they constantly played. During the late 1960’s the band changed their name to
"Ambrose Slade".
In May 1969, the band released their first album, "Beginnings". In the U.S.A., the albums title was changed to "Ballzy". The bands name at the time was still "Ambrose Slade". The album failed to chart in the U.K. and in the U.S.A.
Chas Chandler their manager (formerly from The Animals band) was not pleased with the debut album and thought the band would benefit from writing their own material and a change of image. The band adopted a skinhead look as an attempt to gain publicity from what was a newsworthy youth fashion trend but this also added an unwelcome association with football hooliganism.Noddy Holder and Don Powell were particularly tough individuals already, and the skinhead look exacerbated the disturbing effect of having "toughs" in the band.In 1970, the band shortened their name to "Slade".
"Play It Loud", Slade’s second album, was released in November 1970. The album had hardly any promotion, so it failed to reach a wide audience and didn't chart in the U.K. There was no hit single either, but it still regarded as an influential rock release by some. The album is considered a foreshadow to the punk explosion, which happened seven years later, also in the U.K.
No U.K. album was released in 1971.
In March 1972, the band released their first live album "Slade Alive". It peaked at number 2 on the U.K. chart. It is regarded as one of the best live albums ever released.
Also released in November 1972 was Slade’s third studio album, called "Slayed?" This album contained two of the groups biggest hits, "Gudbuy T’ Jane" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now". Rock critics usually say that it is their greatest studio album. The album peaked at number 1 on the U.K. chart.
In September 1973, the band released a compilation album called, "Sladest". The album debut at number 1 on the U.K. chart and stayed in the Top 10 until 1974, when it climbed to number 1 once again.<br><br>
February 1974 saw the release of the fourth studio album from Slade, called, "Old New Borrowed And Blue". It peaked at number 1 on the U.K. chart. The album was released in the U.S.A., but it had the alternate title of, "Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet". It also had a different track listing it the U.S.A.
Later in the year November 1974, the band released a soundtrack to a movie called, "Slade In Flame". Both the movie and the album were called, "Slade In Flame". The album peaked at number 6 on the U.K. chart and produced two successful singles, "Far Far Away", and "How Does It Feel". They peaked at number 2 and 15, respectively.
No U.K. album was released in 1975.
In March of 1976, the band released their album, "Nobody’s Fools". The album peaked at number 14 on the U.K. charts. This would be the bands last album to reach the U.K. charts until the 1980’s. On this album, the band’s sound move more towards an American type sound, instead of the typical U.K. Slade sound. Most people think this is due to the fact that they were in the U.S.A. for most of 1975 and trying to capture their audience there.
"Whatever Happened To Slade" released March 1977, was the bands next release, but didn’t reach the U.K. chart. During this period in time, the bands popularity was decreasing, which influenced the albums title. The album had much praise from the critics, but still was a commercial failure (American influenced again in my eye, but I think is 1 of their best albums).
The band released another live album called, "Slade Alive, Vol. 2", in October 1978. This was released during the time the bands popularity was steadily decreasing, so it did chart.
By 1979, the band had hardly any money. They had no money to hire a photographer, so they just used a plain red cover, with the album title at the top. The album was called, "Return To Base" and released in October of that year. The band also had to haul their own equipment and they had trouble getting into their backstage area at some gigs. The album failed to chart in the U.K..
In August of 1980, Ozzy Osbourne had to cancel a show on his tour at a very short notice for Reading Festival.
Slade, were recommended as a replacement. At first, the band didn't want to play the gig, because they had disbanded, but instead they did because it could have been their last show together in front of a huge crowd, instead of a small club. To the bands surprise, they were well received and got some much needed publicity. Ironically, the band did nothing different onstage than they did at their normal gigs. After the successful performance at Reading Festival, the band released another compilation called, "Slade Smashes" released in October of that year. After the publicity and successful performance, the album peaked at number 21 on the U.K. chart.
Still off the heels of the success of Reading Festival, the band went back into the studio to record their next album. "We'll Bring The House Down" which was released in March 1981 and debuted at number 25 on the U.K. chart. Some tracks were re released from their 1979 album, "Return To Base". Later on in the year November, the band also released the "Till Deaf Do Us Part" album. It was not as successful as "We'll Bring The House Down", but the album still did well, peaking at number 68 in the U.K. chart. "Lock Up Your Daughters" was the first single off the album and peaked at number 29 on the U.K. chart.
While on tour in support of their album, the band released their third live album, it was called "Slade On Stage". The album was recorded in 1981, but not released until December of 1982. This album peaked at number 98 in the U.K. chart.
The bands next studio album was called, "The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome". The was released in December of 1983. It peaked at number 49 on the U.K. chart and number 20 on the U.S.A. Billboard chart. This was Slade's first real break through in the U.S.A.. Two singles, "My Oh My", and "Run Runaway", had videos on MTV that helped increase sales of the album as well. The American version of the album had a different track listing as the release from the U.K. The alternate version of "The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome", was called "Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply". This is the version that was released in the U.S.A. This version of the album reached number 33 in the U.S.A. chart. This was Slades most successful album that was released in the U.S.A.
No U.K. album was released in 1984.
In March 1985, the band released their next album "Rogues Gallery". It peaked at number 60 on the U.K. chart. On this album, the band tried writing songs that would be hits and still have quality material as well. This was done because critics were saying that the momentum of the band was decreasing. Later in 1985, the band released a Christmas party album Later in November 1985, the band released a Christmas party album called, "Crackers – The Christmas Party Album". It peaked at number 34 in the U.K. chart and contained several hits for the band that have been re recorded. This album has been re released a few times now with different titles.
No U.K. album was released in 1986.
The last album with the original line up was released April 1987 named "You Boyz Make Big Noize". It debuted at number 98 on the U.K. chart, and only spent a week there.
In November 1991 they released another compilation album "Wall of Hits" this peaked at number 34 on the U.K. chart (also release as a vhs video). While this was a compilation album, the band included two new songs on it. They were "Radio Wall of Sound", which turned out to be a successful hit for the band, peaking number 21 on the U.K. chart. The other new song was "Universe". That song didn’t chart in the U.K., though in my eye it should have.
After this album, Noddy Holder, the lead singer left the band after 25 years. He left because he had become too tired of all of the touring the band did. Jimmy Lea retired at this time as well.
The only other albums to be released by the band were compilations. "Feel The Noize – The Very Best of Slade", which was released in February 1997 and peaked at number 19 on the U.K. chart. This encouraged other bands from the glam rock era to release greatest hits compilations as well.
In 2002 the 4 members of Slade received honorary degrees at Wolverhampton University for their contribution to the music industry.
"The Very Best of Slade" was another compilation album and released in November 2005 and it peaked at number 34 on the U.K. music chart (also released as a dvd).
