Noddy Holder MBE at 60

Is it possible that the Great God Nod, the Lord of Noize Himself, is 60 today? ‘Twould appear so.

Noddy is the owner of one of the greatest rock voices ever, the writer of some of the greatest pop songs ever and the undisputed champion and inventor of mirrored top-hats! All bow down before the Nodster!

Noddy was my hero in 1971 when I saw him on ‘Top of the Pops’ for the first time and he was still my hero six months ago when he presented ‘Top of the Pops’ to coincide with the release of ‘The Very Best Of SLADE’ CD/DVD. He left SLADE 15 years ago and has done lots of things since – presenting, writing, hosting, acting – but I still hope for a new record or a ‘B’ sides compilation or re-mastered CDs or more DVD material or … or … or …

June is Noddy month on my big SLADE calendar in the kitchen, with a big photo of Nod on stage in 1972 (top hat, red shirt and tight tartan trousers says it all).

So, Mr Holder, what does your website biography tell us about you?

“Born 15th June 1946 in Walsall, West Midlands. Noddy began singing in working men's clubs aged seven and was singing and playing guitar in local groups by the age of 13. He left school at 16 to become a professional musician and in 1966 joined forces with Dave Hill, Don Powell and Jim Lea in a band called The N'Betweens. The group had stints in Europe and the Bahamas playing a mixture of Rhythm & Blues/soul/Tamla Motown with a big rock sound. After changing their name to Ambrose Slade in the late sixties they released their first album Beginnings. In 1969 the band met up with ex-Animals bass player Chas Chandler who also produced and managed Jimi Hendrix.

Shortening the band name to SLADE Chas guided their career to huge success during the glam rock era to the end of the seventies. Throughout the 70s and 80s Noddy's rock vocals were the trademark of 40 Slade hit singles in the UK including 6 number ones. They released well over 20 albums during their career, four reaching the number one spot in UK. In 1991 Noddy left the band.

Noddy's autobiography "Who's Crazee Now?" was a top seller. He has had his own radio shows in Los Angeles and New York and broadcast for twelve years on Manchester's Piccadilly Radio. He starred in three series of the ITV comedy-drama "The Grimley" alongside Brian Conley, Amanda Holden, James Bradshaw, Nigel Planer and Jan Ravens. He has recently made a welcome return to acting on TV in Peter Kay’s "Max and Paddy" series.

In 1996 Noddy was the "victim" of "This Is Your Life" the programme was shown as the Christmas special. A career highlight for Noddy was when he appeared in the historic 40th Anniversary Coronation Street live episode. Noddy received the MBE in the year 2000 Millennium New Years Honours List.”

So there you have it – a potted biog (and slightly abridged by me) of the great man himself. He’s finally launched his own web presence so we’ll see how that evolves.

I still remember the thrill of seeing Noddy and the lads walk onto the stage of Newcastle City Hall in 1973, half expecting to see giants but instead they were normal size. And then the music started and they grew in stature with every song. Noddy laughed, Noddy burped, Noddy was rude and he was God. Dave and Jim climbing up onto the speakers, jumping down and running across the stage behind Nod. Don pounding away on the drums, song after song, never slowing down. Dave was throwing glitter into the audience, all of us pressed forwards towards the stage, hot and sweaty. I picked some of that glitter up from the carpet as the crowds left at the end of the gig – I kept that glitter in a little box for years.

Noddy was my first hero and as such has a special place in my heart and in my life.

Happy birthday Nod!