Slade: A Comprehensive Overview
Formation and Early History
Formed: 1966
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
Slade is a British rock band known for their energetic performances, catchy songs, and influential glam rock style. They achieved significant success in the 1970s and 1980s with their distinctive sound and flamboyant image.
Founding Members:
- Noddy Holder: Lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Jim Lea: Bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Don Powell: Drums
- Dave Hill: Lead guitar, backing vocals
Musical Style and Influence
Slade’s music is characterized by its glam rock style, featuring high-energy rock anthems, sing-along choruses, and a flamboyant stage presence. They are known for their catchy hooks, anthemic songs, and the use of glam rock aesthetics.
Discography Highlights
Slade’s discography includes several influential albums and hit singles that showcase their energetic rock sound and glam rock style.
- Beginnings (1969)
- Notable Songs: “Pouk Hill,” “The Shape of Things to Come”
- Their debut album, featuring early examples of their rock style.
- Play It Loud (1970)
- Notable Songs: “Get Down and Get with It,” “In Like a Shot from My Gun”
- Known for its energetic sound and glam rock influences.
- Slayed? (1972)
- Notable Songs: “Cum On Feel the Noize,” “Gudbuy T’Jane,” “Look Wot You Dun”
- One of their most successful albums, featuring several hit singles and showcasing their glam rock style.
- Slade Alive! (1972)
- Notable Songs: “Get Down and Get with It,” “Born to Be Wild,” “Know Who You Are”
- A live album capturing the high energy of their performances and their dynamic rock sound.
- Old New Borrowed and Blue (1974)
- Notable Songs: “Everyday,” “Far Far Away,” “The Bangin’ Man”
- Features a mix of rock and pop with continued success in the glam rock genre.
- Slade in Flame (1974)
- Notable Songs: “How Does It Feel,” “Far Far Away,” “The Bangin’ Man”
- The soundtrack album for their film “Slade in Flame,” showcasing their cinematic and musical style.
- Whatever Happened to Slade (1977)
- Notable Songs: “My Friend Stan,” “How Does It Feel”
- Reflects their continued popularity and evolution in the late 1970s.
- Slade Smashes (1980)
- Notable Songs: “We’ll Bring the House Down,” “Run Runaway,” “My Oh My”
- A compilation album featuring some of their most popular hits.
- The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome (1983)
- Notable Songs: “My Oh My,” “Run Runaway,” “7 Year Bitch”
- Features a mix of their glam rock style with more contemporary sounds.
- Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply (1984)
- Notable Songs: “We’ll Bring the House Down,” “Lock Up Your Daughters”
- Continues their success with energetic rock anthems and a strong presence in the 1980s.
Interesting Facts
- Glam Rock Icons: Slade is considered one of the pioneers of glam rock, known for their flamboyant costumes and high-energy performances.
- Hit Singles: Songs like “Cum On Feel the Noize” and “Mama Weer All Crazee Now” became anthems of the glam rock era.
- International Success: While they were especially popular in the UK, Slade also found success in various countries, including Australia and Germany.
Legacy
Slade’s legacy is defined by their influential role in the glam rock movement and their energetic, anthemic rock sound. Their catchy songs, flamboyant stage presence, and lasting impact on rock music have earned them a respected place in the history of rock. Despite various lineup changes and periods of reduced activity, Slade remains a celebrated band for their contributions to glam rock and rock music.