7'' front cover U.K.

7'' rear cover U.K.

7'' a side U.K.

7'' b side U.K.

"Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea and produced by the band themselves. The single was released via Barn Record Label on 6th October 1978. This single failed to appear on the U.K. chart. "Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" was issued as a non album single.

Background
Much like most of Slade's singles of the time, this song failed to make any impact upon release, continuing the band's low popularity. The song featured the return of Jim Leas electric violin, the 1st time on a single since 1971, recalling the band's first number one hit "Coz I Luv You". In the U.K., no artwork was included with the single, whilst in Germany, the artwork used the same photos of the band from their 1978 live album "Slade Alive Vol.2", which would be released later in the month. In Belgium, the artwork was the same but in black and white instead. A vinyl acetate of the single is known to exist.

Recording
"Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" was released via Barn Record Label on 6th October 1978. Roger Taylor of 'Queen' has, at times, closed his own solo shows with a rendition of the song. In In a MTV news article of 31st March 1999, author Angela Solomon spoke of a concert the day before at Wolverhampton's Wulfrun Hall, where the drummer was joined on stage by his former bandmate Brian May. The article had stated "But the real screams came when Taylor unveiled his surprise, on the 2nd encore of the night. "Ladies and gentlemen, joining us tonight is Sir Brian May!" Silhouetted against white light and smoke, May, Queen's lead guitarist and the force behind much of their heavy rock sound, strutted onstage to thunderous applause and foot stamping, his distinctive hair and profile unchanged since the band's heyday. Through the maze of waving hands, he grabbed a guitar, played a few chords to warm up and then launched with Taylor into a stomping rendition of Slade's "Rock And Roll Bolero".

Release
"Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" was originally released on 7" vinyl only in the U.K., Germany and Belgium.
Upon release Record Mirror reviewed the single and stated "A more mellow Slade here, gone are the raucous Noddy Holder vocals and the crashing guitars. The fact remains that they're in dire need of a hit and this could be the 1." In the booklet of the 2007 Salvo remaster of their "Whatever Happened To Slade" album, the writer Chris Ingham spoke of the song by stating ""Rock ‘n’ Roll Bolero" along with its energetic b - side "It’s Alright Buy Me" sold so few copies, most of the 5000 printed were melted down, an ignominious fate for such a carefully put together record."

Promotion
The single was mainly promoted via the band's live performances across the U.K. No promotional video was created for the single and no TV performances were filmed.

Chart Performance
"Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" single failed to reach the U.K. top 100 singles chart.

Track listing - 7" U.K. Single
A1. Rock 'n' Roll Bolero (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 4:04
B1. It's Alright Buy Me (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:20

Rock 'n' Roll Bolero
"Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" written by Holder and Lea, and was produced by the band themselves was originally released via Barn Record Label on 6th October 1978 and failed to chart on the U.K. chart. This was a non album single although was later included as a bonus track on the Salvo's remaster of their 1977 album 'Whatever Happened To Slade'. "Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" is a more mellow Slade here gone are the raucous Holder vocals and the crashing guitars.

It's Alright Buy Me
"It's Alright Buy Me" written by Holder and Lea, this was the b - side to Slades original single "Rock 'n' Roll Bolero". "It's Alright Buy Me" lyrics refer to being on the road for touring. "It's "Alright Buy Me" was exclusive to the single, eventually appearing on on CD via the 2007 Salvo compilation "B - Sides" and the remaster of the 1977 album "Whatever Happened To Slade".

Credits
Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
Noddy Holder - lead vocals, guitar
Jim Lea - bass guitar, electric violin, backing vocals
Don Powell - drums
Slade - producers