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Slade

Slade were an English Glam rock band formed in Wolverhampton in the mid 1960s,  they rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. 

All the members of Slade grew up in the Black Country, Drummer Don Powell and bassist Jim Lea were born and raised in Wolverhampton. Lead vocalist Noddy Holder was born and raised in nearby Caldmore, and lead guitarist Dave Hill moved to Wolverhampton from Holbeton as a child.

They were the first act to have three singles enter the charts at number one; all six of the band's chart-toppers were penned by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea. 

Following an unsuccessful move to the U.S. in 1975, Slade's popularity in the UK waned, but was unexpectedly revived in 1980 when they were last-minute replacements for Ozzy Osbourne at the Reading Rock Festival. 

I saw them at Uni in Reading the following year, the original line-up split in 1992, but reformed later in the year as Slade II. The band have continued, with a number of line-up changes, to the present day. They have also shortened the group name back to Slade.

A number of artists from diverse genres have cited Slade as an influence, including The Undertones, The Clash and Oasis.

In no particular order, here are my favourite Slade tracks.

Three early classics, characterised by the deliberately crazy spelling on the track titles. 'Cum Feel the Noize'


'Mama Weer all Crazee Now'


'Gudbuy T'Jane'


How about 'Everyday'?




If pressed then 'Far Far Away' is one of my all time favourite Slade track


From their later years I'd add in 'My Oh My'



Controversially I have not included 'Merry Xmas Everybody', a great song but I like the others better!






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