Originally starting in 1966 and parting in 1991, the rock band Slade was one of the best bands in the world, and they were the UK’s number-one rock band during the 1970s. During a time in rock and roll where the band was competing with gargantuan bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, Slade still managed to leave their mark on the genre.

Slade was started by Don Powell and Dave Hill after they left their group in the early sixties, the ‘N Betweens. Jim Lea would apply for the bass player gig and land it through a stellar audition, and Noddy Holder eventually became the band’s first lead vocalist after Don and Dave had met him earlier while Noddy was still with the Mavericks.

Originally starting in 1966 and parting in 1991, the rock band Slade was one of the best bands in the world, and they were the UK’s number-one rock band during the 1970s. During a time in rock and roll where the band was competing with gargantuan bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, Slade still managed to leave their mark on the genre.

Slade was started by Don Powell and Dave Hill after they left their group in the early sixties, the ‘N Betweens. Jim Lea would apply for the bass player gig and land it through a stellar audition, and Noddy Holder eventually became the band’s first lead vocalist after Don and Dave had met him earlier while Noddy was still with the Mavericks.

With all four men in place, the new band was formed and they quickly headed down to the Bahamas to play some of their earliest gigs. Although Hill and Powell had broken up the original ‘N Betweens for this new venture, they still kept the name for the first few months before changing it to Ambrose Slade.

After hiring the famous producer of Jimi Hendrix and Animals star, Chas Chandler, the band dropped the Ambrose from their name and also did something extremely unprecedented for the times: they shaved their heads.

It was a very tough nut to crack at first. In the mid 1960s, Slade was a killer band on tour, selling out venues in practically every country they played. However, there was just too much competition on the charts for the band to break in the mainstream. They were a cult band, of sorts, and their first album (as only Slade), Play It Loud, didn’t chart at all.

To solve this dilemma, Slade tried a new tactic. Instead of attempting to recreate the live magic on vinyl, the band simply decided to record a live version of one of their best tour songs, Get Down and Get With It. This sparked Slade’s career, peaking at number-15 on the charts and earning the band an appearance on UK’s Top of the Pops.

Slade’s first single to shoot to number-one was Coz I Luv You. It stayed in the top position for four impressive weeks. The 1970s were really starting off good for Slade. In 1972, the band dropped its first album to make number-one with Slade Alive! It stayed on the UK charts for over a year.

Other singles from the album, like Take Me Back ‘Ome and Mama Weer All Crazee Now, also shot to number-one, and the band even released a second number-one album that year with Slayed?. However, as good as 1972 was to the band, 1973 was an even better year for the young rockers.

1973 saw many hit singles from the band, including Cum On Feel The Noize and Skweeze Me Pleeze. They also released their live recording of Merry Christmas Everybody, ironically in August, and experienced even more success.

Slade won many awards over the years and released a slue of successful albums and singles. However, after the “glam” rock faded out in the mid 70s, so too did Slade’s dominance. They tried to stick together after falling off of the charts, but with so many members in and out and no real success, the band is all but a memory.