Slade

Slade is a British rock band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966, also known by their former names N’Betweens and Ambrose Slade. Fronted by vocalist Noddy Holder, the four-member ensemble also included Dave Hill on guitar, Jim Lea on keyboards and bass, and Don Powell on drums. The band became synonymous with glam rock, achieving unprecedented commercial success in the United Kingdom during the 1970s with chart-topping hits and a reputation for energetic, theatrical performances.

The four members of Slade grew up in Wolverhampton’s Black Country region and initially performed in various bands before uniting as N’Betweens in the mid-1960s. Following unsuccessful early releases, they were signed by Philips Records in 1969 under the name Ambrose Slade, later shortened to Slade. Between 1971 and 1976, the band released 17 consecutive top-20 singles on the UK Charts, six of which reached number one—all written by Holder and Lea. Their December 1973 single “Merry Xmas Everybody” became their best-selling track, surpassing one million copies sold.

Over a 30-album career, Slade achieved three UK number-one albums and accumulated 315 weeks on the UK charts. An unsuccessful attempt to break the American market in 1975 temporarily slowed their momentum, though a surprise 1980 performance at the Reading Rock Festival revitalized their profile. The band went on to secure U.S. hits with “Run Runaway” and “My Oh My” by the mid-1980s. According to a 1999 BBC documentary, Slade has sold more than 50 million records worldwide, establishing them as one of the most successful British acts of the 1970s.

The band disbanded in 1992, with drummer Powell and guitarist Hill continuing as Slade II until 1997. They reunited under the Slade name in 2002 and have remained active in touring, including performances scheduled through 2026 under the name Dave Hill’s Slade.