Joey Ramone's Records

Louder Than War has reported that Joey Ramone's record collection is up for sale. I saw that and thought 'what?'. Then I thought I'd click and take a peak. Then I thought 'WHAT?'

Joey is a great hero who left us too soon so it's interesting to see what records he collected and played. And what an odd collection - so typical! He had records by David Essex, Marvin Gaye, Pat Boone, Led Zep, Herman's Hermits, The Kinks, The Marvellettes, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Sweet, T.Rex, and Toots & The Maytals amongst a host of others.

And two records from an up and coming beat combo called SLADE! 'SLADE Alive!' and 'SLADE in Flame' feature in the list of Joey's  records that are available for sale. I, of course, already have the original vinyl (and CDs) of both records. I'm quite pleased he had 'SLADE in Flame'.

It would've been fun to sit down with a cuppa and talk records with Joey.

'The World According to Noddy' by Noddy Holder

The new book from Sir Noddy Holder is out now - sort of.  'The World According to Noddy' is available as an ebook from Sainsbury's, yes, the supermarket chain. I didn't know they were in the ebook business but I do now since they seem to have a deal going that Noddy's book is only available through them until February next year when it gets a more traditional publishing (ie on paper). To read it now you have to download the Sainsbury's ebook app which gets a right mauling in the app comments so I think I'll be patient and wait for the good old fashioned paper version.

The blurb for the book calls him the 'thinking grandmother's crumpet'. Um… I don't think Noddy has ever really been crumpet and I don't think he'd mind me saying that at all. The pretty boys in SLADE were always Jim and Don but Nod had the voice, one of the great rock voices ever, and I'd love to hear it again on some new songs. I'll wait patiently.

That cover is awful and looks very cheap. The photo looks old and is badly cropped with a bit of chair sticking out behind him. I hope the printed version has a better cover. Please!

I wonder if there'll be readings and signings? No news yet but I'll watch out!

Noddy Holder: 'The World According to Noddy'

I'm not quite sure what's happening with the new book from Sir Noddy Holder but it looks like it'll be out in hardback in September and in paperback and other formats early next year. I, obviously, need it.

I haven't seen a definitive description of what the book is actually about - I've seen it variously described as an updated autobiography (from his '90s book 'Who's Crazee Now') to a witty book of observations on modern life. It could be both I assume. The lack of a picture of the front cover on Amazon makes me wonder whether a September publication date is feasible but let's see.

The Great God Nod is still out and about and causing a ruckus when he want to.  The photo above is the latest of him from a couple of months ago accepting the freedom of Walsall. Still a man of individuality and style!

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!

Kim Wilde's Christmas Party at Shepherd's Bush Empire

The Saturday before Christmas was Kim Wilde night - it was, at last, time for her Christmas Party at Shepherd's Bush and I delighted at the illuminated sign outside announcing the event. This was the first time that Kim had played a full show in London in something like 20 years so I was definitely going to be there. She's played on the '80s revival tours but I don't want to see Kim doing 4-5 hits before being ushered off stage, I want a full gig and that's what she gave us, with nearly two hours on stage and lots of fun!

This was obviously not just much anticipated by me but anticipated by everyone - I got onto the first balcony around 7:30pm and all the seats were already taken.  I've been to Shepherd's Bush loads of times and have never seen that before. That's pulling power! So I decided to find a good spot at the back of the balcony with a good view and stay there.

Kim occupies a powerful spot in pop history - after Debbie Harry and before Madonna. She toured with Michael Jackson on one of his world tours so is no slouch when it comes to working an audience and the pop star life but she gave it all up in the '90s to raise her family and become an award-winning garden designer. Lucky for us she was lured back into pop stardom and she's released some great albums since then, including her latest, 'Wilde Winter Songbook'.

I found a good place to stand at the back with an excellent view of the stage and waited for the show to start. Up first was Nik Kershaw, someone I never really paid much attention to back in the '80s but he gave good show and played some songs I knew, including 'The One and Only' that I didn't know he'd written. He strutted round the front of the stage giving us good rock star and enjoying himself. He fronted Kim's band and played a crowd-pleasing set that got everyone into the right mood.

Only fifteen minutes after Nik left the stage the lights lowered and we were treated to a series of photos on the video screens at the back of the stage of Kim through the years, from being a baby onwards. Then her band came on and then there she was, Kim Wilde at last in her first full gig in London in forever. It was great seeing her centre-stage, leading her band and in full control. The band were very tight and played off each other nicely and included Kim's brother, Ricky on guitar, and niece, Scarlett singing backing vocals (and in the smallest mini-mini skirt). She had a great light show supported by five video screens at the back that kept the visuals alive throughout the show.

Kim launched into a great set of her '80s classics and, as she reminded us, she loved the '80s! We had the big hits of 'View From A Bridge', 'Chequered Love' and 'Water On Glass' before she went disco-tastic on us with 'If I Can't Have you'. Then 'Love In A Natural Way' and a moody 'Cambodia' before we had a short acoustic set with just Kim, Ricky and Scarlett. Something went wrong with Ricky's guitar so he borrowed Nik Kershaw's guitar and we had 'Four Lettered Word', 'Love Blonde' and 'Wonderful Life'. On came the guitarist to play along to the delightful ' Hey Mr Snowman' and then the full band joined again for 'New Life' and 'Hope', all from the new album.

Then Kim introduced her dad, Marty Wilde, to join them on stage to sing the lovely 'White Winter Hymnal'. That meant we had three generations of Wilde's on stage at the same time and all singing. Kim was clearly proud of her dad and introduced him as one of the original pop stars.

Kim introduced the next song by saying that 'they' also had a new Christmas album out before launching into a great version of Erasure's 'A Little Respect' (that she covered on her own 'Snapshots' album). She dedicated the next song to us, the audience, for making ' an old girl very happy' and gave us 'You Came' followed by a stomping 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'. At the end of that she strode off stage while the band kept playing and Scarlett kept singing only to re-appear wearing bunny ears and with hands full of antlers to hand out to the audience. Then she introduced Rick Astley to join her singing 'Winter Wonderland' from the new album.

We then had the biggest surprise of the evening when Kim introduced two songs by saying they weren't hers but that we've all grown up listening to them - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' by SLADE and 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' by Wizzard. They were amazing versions and Kim clearly was having the time of her life singing them. By that time Nik Kershaw was back on stage playing guitar and dancing Santas appeared on the video screens at the back of the stage. During 'I Wish' the snow started flying from the roof over the audience and, with the spotlights swirling, they made it look like it was storming around the place. The show closed with her new version of 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' with Nik Kershaw.

But that wasn't all. After a minute of darkness the stage lit again and the band came back with the introduction to 'Kids In America', with Kim in tight leather jacket giving us an extended and heavy version of her first hit single written by Marty and Ricky and wow, what a version! By now everyone was standing so I didn't get a great view of the stage but the sound was fantastic. Wow! After 'merry christmas's and 'thank yous' Kim hinted that she might see us next year. I certainly hope so!

And that was it for Kim's party. Kim was on stage for nearly two hours, running round, striding across the stage, exhorting us to sing along (and we did) and giving us everything we could want and more. It was quite possibly the best and most satisfying gig of the year - I loved it!

Come back soon Kim Wilde, my Pop Star of choice!

Advent #24 - Three Advent Gifts

On the last day of advent I must give you three songs to match those delivered by the Three Wise Men.

SLADE's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' is a classic example of the Christmas single and is still regularly played everywhere 40 years after it first went to Number 1. It regularly charts each Christmas due to downloads and is current Number 51 (I think) in the UK chart. Of course, I first bought it in 1973.

This has Dave in his SuperYob outfit and guitar and Don wearing Noddy's mirrored top hat (like on the front of his book), and Nod and Jim giving it some welly. It wouldn't be Christmas without Sir Noddy yelling out, "IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAASSSS".



For a slight change of pace here's Viv Albertine's 'Home Sweet Home (At Christmas)' she released a few years back as a seasonal version of 'Confessions Of A MILF'. I (naturally) downloaded it (obv). She's also released 'It's A Christmas, Single' but no new Christmas record this year.



And another change of pace for The Futureheads' 'Christmas Was better In The 80s' (it wasn't but we did have better jumpers)



And just for good measure, here's a freeby in the form of Billy Idol's 'Yellin' At the Christmas Tree' in which the Tree wins!



Go on, enjoy! And Merry Christmas!

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.

The UK Singles Chart - 8 December 2013

The entrance of SLADE's 'Everyday' into the singles chart a couple of weeks ago has re-kindled my interest in the singles chart for the first time in a decade or two. When I looked at it tonight I noted a number of Christmas singles:

98: It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Andy Williams
92: Christmas In LA - The Killers ft Dawes
79: Underneath The Tree - Kelly Clarkson
73: Everyday - SLADE
72: Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea
67: Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
62: Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
57: Merry Xmas Everybody - SLADE
56: Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens
44: Last Christmas - Wham
37: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
34: One More Sleep - Leona Lewis
16: Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
14: All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

I've not included songs that simply happen to be associated with Christmas because they were hits at Christmas (like 'The Power Of Love') or the current Number 1 which is the music to a Christmas advert but isn't really a Christmas song.

It's disappointing that SLADE dropped four places with 'Everyday' (from 69 to 73) but it's nice to see 'Merry Xmas' crashing in at 57. And, of course, 'Fairytale of New York' is making its usual mark as a regular favourite.

Next week I will be watching out for 'City of Christmas Ghosts' by Goldblade and Poly Styrene. Wouldn't it be fab to see them in the chart?

Sir Noddy Needs *You*

'Everyday' by SLADE is being used in the Christmas Nexus7 advert and entered the singles chart at No 93 last week. So far this week it has climbed to No 54. Could it possibly get into the top 40? It could if you download it...

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? 

'Everyday' - a new Christmas hit for SLADE?

Imagine my surprise at hearing Noddy Holder singing over a new Christmas advert and realising that it wasn't 'Merry Christmas Everybody' or even vaguely Christmassy. It's the new advert for the Nexus 7 and I first saw it on Saturday.

The story is about a dad on a huge merchant ship in the middle of the ocean  who meets his family at Christmas by video over his Nexus 7 device.  And all of this with Sir Noddy and SLADE singing 'Everyday' over the advert. Well done to the ad agency that came up with this inspired choice. Take a look:



Here's SLADE on Top Of The Pops in 1974 performing 'Everyday':

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!

Kim Wilde - 'Born To Be Wild'

How did I miss this fab version of the SLADE classic, 'Born To Be Wild' by Kim Wilde back in the 90s?  Okay, Steppenwolf did it first but SLADE's is the definitive version and Kim's is a glory of its own.



I'm having a bit of a Kim-fest today to celebrate getting tickets to see her at Christmas at one of her few solo live gigs in decades - she's toured on the 80s revival circuit in recent years but these are full-on Kim gigs! And she's just finishing off her Christmas album to be released this winter. Looking forward to that immensely!

Go on, get a bit wilde!

Noddy Holder on Tour in 2013

It's amazing what you can find out during a lazy Sunday afternoon browsing the internet. Today, I found out about a new album from Sweet (New York Connection, issued earlier in 2012) which was instantly downloaded and rocked along to. While listening I went browsing and found out that Noddy Holder - Sir Noddy, as should be - is going on tour in May 2013. Not gigging, sadly, but a spoken word tour, but talking's good too.

It's billed as 'An Evening with Noddy Holder in Conversation With Mark Radcliffe' and is only eight dates and all are in the north of the country.  The dates are:

Thursday 9 May 2013 - Oakengates Theatre (The Place), Telford
Friday 10 May 2013 - Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton
Saturday 11 May 2013 - Gala Theatre & Cinema, Durham
Sunday 12 May 2013 - Albert Halls (Festival Hall), Bolton
Thursday 16 May 2013 - City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
Friday 17 May 2013 - Palace Theatre, Redditch
Saturday 18 May 2013 - Preston Guildhall & Charter Theatre, Preston
Sunday 19 May 2013 - Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate.

I will, of course, keep my eyes peeled in case any more dates are announced.

I saw Sir Noddy last Christmas at Union Chapel when he played the Narrator in a new version of 'A Christmas Carol' and it was great to see and hear him again after so many years. I also saw him back in September at the Marc Bolan celebration at Shepherd's Bush.  My next rendezvous with Sir Nod will be on Friday 21 December on SLADE Night! on BBC4.

This has been a public service announcement from the Plastic Bag.

SLADE Night 21 December 2012

I mentioned back in September that there was going to be a SLADE Night on BBC4 at Christmas. Further details are emerging that you need to know about.

It's going to kick off at 9:00pm on Friday 21 December with the "It's SLADE!" documentary from the '90s followed by "SLADE at The BBC" that features archive material not seen since it was originally broadcast back in the day. That's followed by "SLADE in Flame", often referred to as the best rock music film ever made (it is too). That's a lot of SLADE!

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!