Four Book Rockaria Part 2 - Don and Tracey

The third rock book I read was the new book about Don Powell, drummer with SLADE. I first saw Don in 1973 at my first ever gig (when SLADE were supported by the Sensational Alex Harvey Band) - I had tried to get a ticket to their 1972 tour (with Thin Lizzy and Suzy Quatro) but they'd sold out by the time I'd heard they were playing. The last time I saw Don with original SLADE was on the 1980 or 1981 tour but, more recently, at the Koko gig that was filmed for the DVD ('SLADE: Live at Koko' in 2011). Don is, of course, a god. Anyway...

The book is called 'Look Wot I Dun: Don Powell, My Life in SLADE' and has a photo of him in Noddy's mirrored top hat on the front. It's credited to both Lise Lyng Falkenberg and Don, probably because a lot os it is narrated in the first person by Don in a series of quotes. I like that approach since it gives an immediacy to the book that could be lost so easily. So, it's not an autobiography or a biography, it's something in-between (so appropriate since the band used to be called the 'N-Betweens).

As a rabid fan from back in the day then I don't think I learned much about the early years but I lost touch with SLADE from the late '70s so that's what really attracted me in the book, the years I don't really know about. The womanising, the marriages, the drink and drugs, the endless touring and then the silence when Don seriously considered being in another band (I was shocked at that part!). Then the reinvention of Slade II and new tours and his falling in love and moving to Denmark. And, of course, he's still touring.

I loved the quotes from old friends from back in the day and from people like Gene Simmons of KISS acknowledging the power of SLADE and Don's drumming. My favourite quote is from Dave Hill near the end of the book (on page 305 to be precise) when Dave says, "Because that's what Don does - he plays the drums..." yeah? really Dave? That had me chortling!

Thanks Lise and Don for a great read!

The final Book of Four belongs to Tracey Thorn, called 'Bedsit Disco Queen: How I Grew Up And Tried To Be A Popstar'. I went to see Tracey do a reading and talk about the book last year and, astonishingly, I've just got around to reading it. And what a good read it is too!

Tracey is two years younger than me so I recognise a lot of what she writes about - I nearly typed 'talks about' just then since that's how the book comes across, Tracey having a chat to you through the narrative of the book. And I like that. I loved the references to people like Patrik Fitzgerald and ordering his records through the back pages of the NME since they weren't stocked by the local record shop. All of that chimed with me. As did maintaining the punk ethos into the '80s and increasingly becoming marginalised. I suspect that's why my memories of the '80s are quite sparse because the world moved on and I didn't. And that's something I really like about this book - yes, it's a narrative of 'I did this then I did that' but it also creates the situation that makes you think about it and question it.

Tracey has the rather odd distinction of being half of an idie band, having huge hits and fallow periods over two decades, being remixed into the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, and still being with her boyfriend and band-comrade from 30 years ago. How strange is that? And she's still releasing solo records. I loved the short paragraph of pushing her baby son around in the supermarket when one of her old records came on the PA and he points to the loud speaker and to his Mum - the same voice, but how could that be? It must be really strange to be one of their kids!

I loved reading this book and will do so again when I've listened to more Everything But The Girl records to get myself into the right space. I hope we hear more from Tracey.

50th Anniversary for Don Powell & Dave Hill

Don Powell's website has announced the news that it's 50 years since he and Dave first played live together on 3 January 1964. Don's site tells us that he joined The Vendors in early 1963, Dave joined in December 1963 and the first live gig with both Don and Dave in the band was on 3 January 1964 at the Three Men In A Boat pub in Walsall. That's a pretty astonishing partnership considering they're both still touring together.

Then:

Now:

Noddy Holder and Jim Lea joined Dave and Don in 1966 and, after name changes, became the mighty SLADE and had their first Number 1 hit single in 1971. I bought that single, 'Coz I Luv You'. I first saw them live in 1973 and the last time I saw them play was in, I think, 1981. After that gig at the student union in Cardiff I was helping to get their equipment out of the hall and into the truck and Dave Hill offered me a cigarette, a Benson & Hedges, and I said 'no thanks'. How could I take a cigarette from a god?

I last saw Dave and Don's Slade on 18 December 2011 and they were in fine form, banging out a set of hit after hit after hit from the '70s and '80s. It was great fun to see them play again and sing 'Merry Xmas Everybody' a matter of days before the big day itself.

The gig was recorded for charity and is available as 'Slade - Live at Koko'.

SLADE are far more than just a Christmas song but it's a pretty damn good one. Of course, they've now had a new Christmas hit with 'Everyday' entering the lower reaches of the singles chart, peaking at No. 69 in December, on the back of being used in the Christmas advert for the Nexus 7. I hope it will start turning up on Christmas compilation records.

Congratulations to Don and Dave!

Heroes Are Normal Size Too

I've just found out that there is a 'fan' page on Facebook for Don Powell and had to click 'join'. As soon as I did I whizzed back in time to seeing Don for the first time back in 1973.

Isn't it odd how heroes can inspire and disappoint? Back then, SLADE were my heroes and Don was (and still is) the drummer with the band. They were loud and brash and in your face with some great songs and a fun attitude. It was the height of glam rock and glitter and sparkle was everywhere and Noddy had his mirrored top hat. I was excited to be seeing the pop group I'd only ever seen on telly, more often than not, on Top Of The Pops.

They were supported by the Sensational Alex Harvey Band so the first band I ever saw was SAHB. I can still remember Alex on stage being all theatrical in his stripy tee shirt and Zal strutting round in his make up and heavy guitar riffs. But, that night, it was SLADE I was waiting to see.

And on they came, my heroes striding onto the stage to pick up guitars and stroll to the mics and my jaw fell open. They weren't giants! They were about the same size as my Dad! Could this be SLADE? And then they let rip and yes, it was SLADE up there on the stage. I vividly recall my surprise at them being ordinary sized blokes rather than giants. That was an illusion knocked down right there. But they sparkled, they were loud and Nod swore. They never stopped, climbing up onto the silver-wrapped amps and Dave throwing glitter into the crowd at the front (he's still daft but doesn't throw glitter around these days).

I don't know where that memory came from but it was an important thing to learn. Heroes are normal size too. Even SLADE.

Advent #6 - 'I'm Going Home'

Four or five years ago Justin Lee Collins did a documentary on Channel 4 about the Christmas No 1 over the years which ended with him trying to make a new Christmas No 1 record. He rounded up a load of folks from the classic '70s hit making machines and got them together to record 'I'm Going Home'. It was available to download immediately after the programme and I did. I've only just found this video of the recording of the song and wanted to share it as my Advent Calendar Number 5.



I play this endlessly every year - I think it's a damn good song! I've never seen this video from the programme before so I'm eager to share.

The song is sung by David Essex and with guitar and drums from Dave Hill and Don Powell of SLADE along with Jona Lewie and members of the Glitter Band, Showaddywaddy and Mud. It was written and produced by Rob Davis of Mud (yes, the one with huge ear-rings and flares) who also wrote Kylie's global hit 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' (so he knows how to write a song).

I don't think this was ever released properly which is a shame because it really is a good song and it's great to see the old-time glamsters still going strong. Enjoy!

SLADE In The Singles Chart Again!

Like a pre-Christmas miracle, SLADE are back in the singles chart with 'Everyday' at No. 93 with not even a merry Christmas in sight.

At this time of year SLADE are usually hovering around with the perennial 'Merry Christmas Everybody' that has been in the charts more times than I care to remember. This year it looks like 'Everyday' will be a new Christmas hit for them. 'Everyday' narrates the new advert for the Nexus 7 tablet with a dad away at sea on a merchant ship contacting his family on Christmas Day: "Everyday when I'm away, I'm thinking of you..." sings Sir Noddy. It was a real surprise to hear Noddy singing on telly again, especially singing the overlooked 'Everyday'.

I blogged about this last week when I was wondering if it would be a hit and this week it looks like it could well be. Of course, I don't want to jinx it by saying it will be, but who knows...?

'Everyday' reached No 3 in 1974 with SLADE's first ballad as the follow-up to 'Merry Christmas Everybody'. I've got no idea if the band was relieved or disappointed that it didn't go into the chart at No 1 like three of their singles in 1973 - that's a lot to live up to. And that's when bands had to sell half a million records to get to No 1, not the mere thousands these days. It's from the 'Old, New, Borrowed and Blue' album.

If you want to see the Nexus 7 advert or SLADE singing 'Everyday' on Top of the Pops back on the day, then just scroll a bit further down and enjoy.

There's now a campaign on Facebook asking people to download the song to help it move higher up the chart and, you know what? I think I will download it despite having the song several times on vinyl and CD. It can't hurt. Go on, do the same, eh? 

Slade - 'Live at Koko' DVD

23 months ago I went to see Slade play live at Koko just a week before Christmas 2011. This was Dave and Don's version of Slade, not the originals with Sir Noddy and Jim, but they played those classics songs of yesteryear which was good. The gig was filmed for a DVD and it looks like it's finally being released. And here is the cover.

I blogged about the gig at the time, about singing along to 'Merry Christmas Everybody' a matter or days before Christmas and how the audience was like me apart from the young people. I was disappointed it wasn't released last year - I have no idea why it takes so long - but I'm pleased it's finally coming out. It's available to pre-order on Amazon so it looks like it's really happening.

I know what I want in my Christmas stocking...

Don Powell - Look Wot I Dun

It's been a few years in the writing but Don Powell's book about his life is due out later this year. Written with Lise Falkenberg through a series of interviews, it's subtitled 'My Life In SLADE'. Don Powell is, of course, the drummer with SLADE!

His journey started in the '60s and continues today since Slade, in the form of Don and Dave are still touring and still putting on a great rock show. I'm looking forward to reading this!

SLADE aren't just for Christmas, but ...

Sorry to mention Christmas so early in the year but a very special Christmas present is being planned for all SLADE fans. No, not the fabled reunion (which *will* happen one day, I have faith) but a night devoted to SLADE on BBC4 just before Christmas.

The special night will include the 'It's SLADE' documentary, 'SLADE in Flame' (often referred to as one of the best rock films ever made) and a special 'SLADE at the BBC' programme. This will feature archive performances not seen in full on UK television since they were originally broadcast and, I'm reliably informed, will include a missing performance of 'Coz I Luv You' from Top Of The Pops that has never been seen before. Might I say 'cor!'?  'Coz I Luv You' was the first SLADE single I bought back in 1971 and I still have it.

Last Christmas I was lucky enough to see three quarters of SLADE - Sir Noddy Holder at Union Chapel narrating 'A Christmas Carol' and Dave and Don with their version of Slade at Koko (will the DVD of that show ever be issued?). Sadly, I haven't seen Jim Lea since about 1981 but there's time yet.

I was also lucky to see Noddy compere the Marc Bolan 35th Anniversary Concert on Saturday night (blog to follow about that) and he's looking good. I *think* he even sang along to 'Hot Love' at the end of the show. And his was the final voice of the evening when he shouted out his trademarked 'Keep on rocking!' at the top of his voice. We will, Noddy, we will!