Slade was the greatest glam rock band. 23 top 20 hits. 6 number ones,
back when you had to sell hundreds of thousands of black plastic records.
Just how big? Well, in these days where every single goes in at number one
and bands are picked on telly you might forget that once upon a time people
had to work a bit harder. Slade toured for 6 years before they had their
first hit. In the entire decade of the 70's only 4 songs entered the charts
at number one. Slade had 3 of these- songs they wrote, instruments they played
and wearing the clothes they chose!
More weeks in the charts than ABBA.
In 1973, if you were a
girl you probably loved the Osmonds or David Cassidy. If you weren't sure,
it was T.Rex or Bowie. If you were a bloke, Slade were the centre of the
world. They had 3 number one's- the last of which, Merry Xmas Everybody,
is what most people seem to treat as the only one! They were the first band
to book and sell-out Earl's Court and Don nearly died.
In 1973, Ed bought his first record, Slade Alive, and Rik got his first
drum kit. Two teenagers separated by hundreds miles, but united by
a love for music that got the pulse racing faster than a flash of knickers.
In 1983, Slade just missed the Christmas number one, but the end was
coming and the live shows which defined the band's existence were
at an end. In 1983, Rik was the drummer in a New Romantic band and Ed retired
as singer and guitarist in a prog rock band.
January 1st, 2000. Rik decided that although he enjoyed playing in a
glam rock bands (the Look and Glamstarz), he wanted to do a proper
tribute to his heroes. Together with Cliff (Noddy), Paul (Dave) and Trevor
(Jim), he forms 'Slayed'. Jan 1st 2000, Ed woke up with the mother of all
hangovers and finds SLADE tattooed across his knuckles. He resolves to get
back into playing in a band.
5 years on Flamin Slade are now playing some venues where the real Slade
played during their peak years of 1971-3. They've had rapturous
reviews from fans who saw the original Slade 20 or 30 times. So Cum and feel
the noise!!!!
Show includes Coz I Love You, Look What You Dun, Take Me back Ome, Mamma
Weer All Crazy Now, Gud'bye To Jane, Cum & Feel The Noize
