Slade is a British rock band, one of the leaders of the 70s glam rock. The musicians began their journey in 1964, but the group received its final name only in the late 60s. Their manager was Ches Chandler himself, at that time a former member of The Animals. In the early 70's, the group already had a reputation as one of the best music groups of the time.
Structure
The group was formed as a result of the emergence of an alliance of musicians from several groups: The Vendors and Steve Brett & The Mavericks. Its participants were:
- Noddy Holder (vocalist and rhythm guitarist);
- Jim Lee (bass, violin, keys);
- Dave Hill (guitar);
- Don Powell (drums).
Initially, the musicians performed in taverns of the British hinterland. Then they arranged famous rock and roll songs. The popular repertoire in their performance was a collection of songs by The Beatles. Ches Chandler discovered the group in 1969. At that time, the musicians called themselves Ambrose Slade.
Chandler decided to radically take on the style of the new group. The musicians were short cut, dressed in leather boots and tight denim pants. Soon the group received a contract with Polydor. Then its name was reduced. The first single was an arrangement of rhythm and blues by Bobby Marchan Get Down And Get With It. She hit the mark, and soon the musicians were in the British charts.
To understand in more detail the work of the legendary group, it is worth considering their popular albums, as well as unsuccessful experiments.
The first steps
Beginnings debut album was a mixture of songs of his own composition, as well as covers and instrumental variations. It was the first unsuccessful attempt by rockers to declare themselves to the musical public. Then the band members were like football fans. Later, this will fuel critics' interest in them.
The next album - Play It Loud - was also not recognized by wide circles of heavy music lovers. However, he became a guide in the development of the team. Slade began to play music in a more rigid style. Emphasis was placed on concert performances. The outfits of the musicians have also changed.
In subsequent years, Slade, whose discography began to replenish with new singles, increasingly fell into national charts.
Popular albums
The best albums that are still popular today are the collections of songs from 1971-1976. Then their songs occupied the tops of the British charts. The first live album was Alive !. Chandler suggested recording it live, realizing that musicians quickly gain public attention at their performances.
The next album is Slayed? - was released by the end of 1972. He stayed at the top of the British charts for 34 weeks. Most critics consider it the best. The album includes 10 songs, 6 of them were written by the Holder-Lee tandem.
Sladest is the name of their next popular album, Slade. The fifth album was the best collection of songs released between 1969 and 1973. Once in the top of the national hit parade, he knocked out the legendary The Rolling Stones.
In the same 1974 another album was released. It is called Old New Borrowed And Blue. The songs included in it are distinguished by calm and thoughtfulness. Here for the first time the piano part sounds.
By the time the Slade In Flame album was released, the band had become one of the most popular rock bands. The album was tied to a feature film project in which the musicians played themselves. However, the success of the Beatles, who once did the same, Slade could not repeat.
When recording the new Nobody's Fool album, the musicians tried to take into account the comments that were made to them on American radio. They slightly softened the sound of impudent rock and roll, then fashionable reggae.
Period of failure
In the late 70s, Britain drowned in the rushing punk rock style. Group Slade was unclaimed. Since 1977, interest in rock and roll began to fade. By 1980, the sound of the group's songs began to approach the glamorous heavy metal.
The following albums were released between 1976 and 1991:
- Whatever Happened To Slade? - The album, which became the first in a series of unclaimed works of the group (1977).
- Return to base - songs acquired a more melodic sound (1979).
- We'll Bring the House Down - the album came out almost 2 years after the previous one (1981).
- Slade on Stage (1982).
- The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome (1983).
- Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply (1984).
- Rogues gallery (1985).
- You Boyz Make Big Noize is the latest album recorded with Holder's voice (1987).
In 1991, Noddy Holder decided to leave the group. Soon he was followed by Jim Lee. These two belonged to most of the songs written by the musicians. Don Powell and Dave Hill attracted new members and continued to release albums. From 1991 to 1997, they even changed the name of the group - Slade II. However, then they returned the familiar Slade again. A rock band without an old vocalist began to sound not so hard.
In 1994, with the new vocalist Steve Wally, the musicians released the album Keep on Rockin. It included only the hits of the group. The group did not release more studio recordings. Despite all the setbacks, Slade is firmly rooted in the subconscious mind of every lover of melodic rock. Slade songs are a tribute to the old rock and roll and an attempt to modernize it.