Wild! Wild! Wild! – A People’s History of Slade

In the UK in the 1970s, there was no bigger band than Slade. With six number 1 singles (three straight in at number 1) and 17 consecutive top 20 hits, Slade were the most successful British group of the 1970s measured on singles sales. But Slade were also a phenommon live. Vocalist & guitarist Noddy Holder, guitarist Dave Hill, bassist & violinist Jim Lea and drummer Don Powell had been playing together since 1966 (initially as The N’ Betweens and then Ambrose Slade) and seasoned performers by the time of their breakthrough hit in 1971.

Slade’s live concerts were something to behold, and this book captures them in performance in the words of over 300 fans. The journey goes from the boot-stomping skinhead days of ‘Get Down and Get With It’, through the chart-topping glam rock era of ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’ and ‘Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me’, and onto their ultimately unsuccessful mid-’70s attempt to break America before the chicken-in-a-basket doldrums of their career and the original line-up called it quits in 1992.

These stories will make you laugh, cry and be transported back to the early 1970s, when Slade were all over the radio, the TV and the news. This is Slade loud and raucous, with Nod’s distinctive vocals, Dave’s crazy stage outfits and Jim’s virtuoso guitar and violin playing, all held together by Don’s solid drumming.

With forewords from Seventies Glam Rockers Suzi Quatro and The Sweet’s Andy Scott, and packed with contributions from a host of celebrity admirers including John Coughlan (Status Quo), Rick Buckler (The Jam), Gered Mankowitz, Damian O’Neill (Undertones/That Petrol Emotion), Andy Kershaw, Ray Laidlaw (Lindisfarne), Mick Talbot (Style Council/Dexy’s Midnight Runners), Jim Bob (Carter USM), Dave Hemingway (Housemartins/Beautiful South), Roddy Byers (The Specials), Mathew Priest (Dodgy), JC Carroll (The Members), Gary Crowley, Carl Hunter (The Farm), Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff), Nik Kershaw, Bob Young (Status Quo) and Dave Wakeling (The English Beat), this is a Slade book unlike any other.

If you grew up in the 1970s, you will have heard a Slade song on the radio every few minutes. And if you walk into a UK shopping centre or supermarket any time from mid-November onwards, you’ll be sure to hear the Slade song that is now as much a part of Christmas as Santa Claus…

Written and compiled by music journalist and Slade fan Malcolm Wyatt (author of This Day in Music’s Guide to the Clash), Wild! Wild! Wild! – A People’s History of Slade is published by Spenwood Books on 29 September 2023.

ISBN 978-1-915858-07-8

Extent: 384pp

Fully illustrated (colour & B&W)

Page size: 234 x 156mm

Binding: Hardback

Recommended Retail Price: £25.00 ($30.00)

Pre-orders will ship w/c 14 August 2023.