Welcome
Hello. I am Don Powell, the original drummer in Slade. This is my official website.
On this website you will find information about my time in Slade and I will also write about personal things that I am doing. There is technical information on the drum kit that I use, as well as a biography giving you details on my past.
Hope you enjoy reading through it all.
Don Powell 2020
On this website you will find information about my time in Slade and I will also write about personal things that I am doing. There is technical information on the drum kit that I use, as well as a biography giving you details on my past.
Hope you enjoy reading through it all.
Don Powell 2020
Don Powell Talks Drums and Drumming Pt 2
Friday 6th November 2020 - For your weekend delight, see below for the second part of Don's chat about Drums and Drumming with Chris Selby.
Don Powell Talks Drums and Drumming Pt 1
Thursday 5th November 2020 - Watch the YouTube video below. Don talks Drums and Drumming Pt 1 with Chris Selby,
Don wants your questions...
Friday 30th October 2020 - Chris Selby is recording a 'Drum Special' Zoom interview with Don soon.
Don is asking for your drumming related questions - which he will answer on Zoom.
The best question submitted will win a set of Don's drumsticks.
Please email your questions to [email protected] by *pm Sunday 1st November. 'Don Question' in the subject line please.
Don is asking for your drumming related questions - which he will answer on Zoom.
The best question submitted will win a set of Don's drumsticks.
Please email your questions to [email protected] by *pm Sunday 1st November. 'Don Question' in the subject line please.
'Look Wot I Dun - My Life in Slade' Don Powell
in conversation with Daryl Eastlea - online event
DON POWELL IN CONVERSATION WITH DARYL EASTLEA - EVENT DETAILS:
Sunday 8th November 2020 12.00-13.00 GMT Online Event
For the price of a cup of coffee you can spend Sunday lunchtime in the company of Don and Daryl Eastlea. Tickets - inc Concession Tickets - available at discounted price until 5th November.
To get your tickets click here.
Look Wot I Dun is the story of Slade told through the eyes of drummer Don Powell whose life was shattered when, in 1973 at the height of the group's fame, he was involved in a horrific car crash.
Unflinching in honesty, Don, with Daryl, will exlore and speak frankly about the aftermath of the accident that took the life of his girlfriend and left him with injuries that affect him to this day.
During the course of their conversation Don and Daryl will trace Don's life story that spans his boy scout roots as a drummer, his early life as a musician, the majic line-up, Glitter, glam and No1 hits, his terrible car-crash and the after-shocks, a sojourn in America, his return to the UK,his continued touring and most recently, The Don Powell Band.
Expect brilliant anecdotes and hilarious accounts from one of THE nicest people in the industry - you wont be disappointed!
We have 3 options for tickets available:
*Event Only, *Event + Discounted Book Combo and *Event + Don Powell Special Edition Combo.
For those of you purchasing an Event and Discounted Book Combo - Look Wot I Dun is now brought up to date in paperback format with an additional chapter from Don, detailing his touring activity over the last seven years, since the original release of his book in hardback. Your copy of Look Wot I Dun will be dispatched to your home address.
For those of you purchasing an Event + Don Powell Special Edition Combo - Look Wot I Dun is now brought up to date in paperback format with an additional chapter from Don, detailing his touring activity over the last seven years, since the original release of his book in hardback. Your special edition package will be dispatched to your home address.
This slipcase edition – limited to just 500 copies - contains an exclusive Slade Christmas card, hand-signed by Don, and is the only way to buy this updated edition in hardback.
DONALD GEORGE POWELL is an English musician who was the drummer for legendary glam rock and later hard rock group Slade for over fifty years.
DARYL EASLEA is a writer, DJ and A&R consultant whose words have appeared in Record Collector, Mojo, Prog, the Guardian and Uncut. Among his books are Everybody Dance: Chic and the Politics of Disco; Talent Is an Asset: The Story of Sparks and Without Frontiers: The Life and Music of Peter Gabriel. He is the co-editor of and contributor to The Supreme Record Company: The Story of Decca Records 1929-2019 and was the curator of Decca’s 90th birthday activities. His next publication is the much anticipated 'Whatever Happened to Slade'. He regularly compiles and annotates CDs and LPs. As a DJ and event host, his work has taken him to Europe and venues such as the V&A, the British Library, Abbey Road Studios and the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern.
Sunday 8th November 2020 12.00-13.00 GMT Online Event
For the price of a cup of coffee you can spend Sunday lunchtime in the company of Don and Daryl Eastlea. Tickets - inc Concession Tickets - available at discounted price until 5th November.
To get your tickets click here.
Look Wot I Dun is the story of Slade told through the eyes of drummer Don Powell whose life was shattered when, in 1973 at the height of the group's fame, he was involved in a horrific car crash.
Unflinching in honesty, Don, with Daryl, will exlore and speak frankly about the aftermath of the accident that took the life of his girlfriend and left him with injuries that affect him to this day.
During the course of their conversation Don and Daryl will trace Don's life story that spans his boy scout roots as a drummer, his early life as a musician, the majic line-up, Glitter, glam and No1 hits, his terrible car-crash and the after-shocks, a sojourn in America, his return to the UK,his continued touring and most recently, The Don Powell Band.
Expect brilliant anecdotes and hilarious accounts from one of THE nicest people in the industry - you wont be disappointed!
We have 3 options for tickets available:
*Event Only, *Event + Discounted Book Combo and *Event + Don Powell Special Edition Combo.
For those of you purchasing an Event and Discounted Book Combo - Look Wot I Dun is now brought up to date in paperback format with an additional chapter from Don, detailing his touring activity over the last seven years, since the original release of his book in hardback. Your copy of Look Wot I Dun will be dispatched to your home address.
For those of you purchasing an Event + Don Powell Special Edition Combo - Look Wot I Dun is now brought up to date in paperback format with an additional chapter from Don, detailing his touring activity over the last seven years, since the original release of his book in hardback. Your special edition package will be dispatched to your home address.
This slipcase edition – limited to just 500 copies - contains an exclusive Slade Christmas card, hand-signed by Don, and is the only way to buy this updated edition in hardback.
DONALD GEORGE POWELL is an English musician who was the drummer for legendary glam rock and later hard rock group Slade for over fifty years.
DARYL EASLEA is a writer, DJ and A&R consultant whose words have appeared in Record Collector, Mojo, Prog, the Guardian and Uncut. Among his books are Everybody Dance: Chic and the Politics of Disco; Talent Is an Asset: The Story of Sparks and Without Frontiers: The Life and Music of Peter Gabriel. He is the co-editor of and contributor to The Supreme Record Company: The Story of Decca Records 1929-2019 and was the curator of Decca’s 90th birthday activities. His next publication is the much anticipated 'Whatever Happened to Slade'. He regularly compiles and annotates CDs and LPs. As a DJ and event host, his work has taken him to Europe and venues such as the V&A, the British Library, Abbey Road Studios and the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern.
Don playing as guest with The Glam on web concert
Wednesday 28th October 2020 - Don will be playing a live gig on the internet with his friends The Glam. It's going to be on Saturday 28th November at 7pm UK time (8pm Danish time) - and it will be broadcast from The Glam FB page - click here. Mark your diaries.
From Russia With Love
Tuesday 27th October 2020 - Don heard news from Warner Music in Russia yesterday that the QSP album by Quatro, Scott and Powell is being released on white vinyl.
Russian fans look out for it!
Russian fans look out for it!
Don chats to Chris Selby
Monday 19th October 2020 - Don had a Zoom chat today with Chris Selby about 1981. You can see the interview below - which deals with the period when Slade 'came bak' after their appearance at the Reading Festival the previous year.
'Cum On Feel The Hitz' chart placing at #8 'fantastic news'
Friday 2nd October 2020 - Don was told this evening that the UK chart placing of Slade's 'Cum On Feel The Hitz' is number eight.
He said: "This is fantastic news! I never thought that I'd see us (Slade) back in the Top Ten again. I was told earlier that BMG thought the album would enter the charts around #7 or #8 - and if it's been confirmed that the official position in the UK chart is number 8 then that's great!
Friends and fans have all been contacting me saying that they have been supporting the release and buying it. Also some have reported that some supermarkets have sold out!
I think that it's been helpful that all four of us from Slade have helped promote the release. Nod has been doing lots of tv work - whereas I've been doing lots of phone interviews from home.
The guys at the record company BMG are over the moon with the success of album - and so am I! Thanks to everyone for buying it."
He said: "This is fantastic news! I never thought that I'd see us (Slade) back in the Top Ten again. I was told earlier that BMG thought the album would enter the charts around #7 or #8 - and if it's been confirmed that the official position in the UK chart is number 8 then that's great!
Friends and fans have all been contacting me saying that they have been supporting the release and buying it. Also some have reported that some supermarkets have sold out!
I think that it's been helpful that all four of us from Slade have helped promote the release. Nod has been doing lots of tv work - whereas I've been doing lots of phone interviews from home.
The guys at the record company BMG are over the moon with the success of album - and so am I! Thanks to everyone for buying it."
'Cum On Feel The Hitz' - out now
Saturday 26th September 2020 - Slade's new Greatest Hits album 'Cum On Feel The Hitz' is available now on double CD or 2LP's from Amazon - click here
Don was sent the picture above which is apparently a display from a record store in Australia. He thinks it's strange with the ‘Slade Alive' CD being there.in the middle of it.....
Mind you, he says it was the biggest selling album in the ‘70’s in Australia - it even outsold ‘Sgt Pepper’!
Fingers crossed for a high chart placing of the album!
Don was sent the picture above which is apparently a display from a record store in Australia. He thinks it's strange with the ‘Slade Alive' CD being there.in the middle of it.....
Mind you, he says it was the biggest selling album in the ‘70’s in Australia - it even outsold ‘Sgt Pepper’!
Fingers crossed for a high chart placing of the album!
Bob Wilson is the final permanent member of DPB
Tuesday 15th September 2020
The final member of the permanent line-up is Bob Wilson on guitar & vocals.
Bob has been involved with some legendary bands and players. After being a very young member of the Idle Race there followed the Steve Gibbons Band, whose 1st UK hit single Tulane might just slot into the DPB live set at some point we think.
He then played guitar and keyboards with Ruby Turner gigging and touring extensively. Craig and Bob worked together in a very well liked Birmingham based band for a time as well!
The final member of the permanent line-up is Bob Wilson on guitar & vocals.
Bob has been involved with some legendary bands and players. After being a very young member of the Idle Race there followed the Steve Gibbons Band, whose 1st UK hit single Tulane might just slot into the DPB live set at some point we think.
He then played guitar and keyboards with Ruby Turner gigging and touring extensively. Craig and Bob worked together in a very well liked Birmingham based band for a time as well!
Jon Briscoe is the new guitarist in DPB
Sunday 13th August 2020
Jon Briscoe is an experienced Black Country based guitar player and singer with his roots firmly in rock n roll and hard rock. In the 90’s one of Jon’s earliest successes was playing with the well know Slade tribute band “Cum on Feel the Noise” so he’s very excited to now be playing with Don.
He's also a music graduate of the prestigious Dartington College of Arts in Totnes, Devon. Aside from playing in numerous bands of different genres, his latest being the Midlands based hard rock quartet known as The Juggernauts, he's spent many years as a musical educator teaching thousands of people of all ages around Birmingham.
Jon Briscoe is an experienced Black Country based guitar player and singer with his roots firmly in rock n roll and hard rock. In the 90’s one of Jon’s earliest successes was playing with the well know Slade tribute band “Cum on Feel the Noise” so he’s very excited to now be playing with Don.
He's also a music graduate of the prestigious Dartington College of Arts in Totnes, Devon. Aside from playing in numerous bands of different genres, his latest being the Midlands based hard rock quartet known as The Juggernauts, he's spent many years as a musical educator teaching thousands of people of all ages around Birmingham.
Thanks for the Birthday wishes
Friday 11th September 2020
It was Don's 74th birthday yesterday and he sends thanks for all the birthday wishes he received from the website readers.
It was Don's 74th birthday yesterday and he sends thanks for all the birthday wishes he received from the website readers.
Don and Hanne are now 'Cat people'
Friday 11th September 2020
Don would like you to welcome his two new kittens 'Blackie' (the one with black fur) and 'Lucky' (the other one - named by Grandson August).
The first pic is how the kittens were when Don and Hanne picked them up from the animal rescue centre three weeks ago. The second pic is a pic of them with Don today.
Don would like you to welcome his two new kittens 'Blackie' (the one with black fur) and 'Lucky' (the other one - named by Grandson August).
The first pic is how the kittens were when Don and Hanne picked them up from the animal rescue centre three weeks ago. The second pic is a pic of them with Don today.
Don and Craig announce 'Curly' as new singer
Wednesday 9th September 2020 - Message from Don and Craig Fenney of The Don Powell Band:
"We are pleased to say that Ian ‘Curly’ Davies will be the vocalist for the Don Powell Band. Curly has sung in many West End shows such as Miss Saigon / Evita / Starlight Express / Damn Yankees / Me & My Girl and also been a backing vocalist with Irene Cara (Fame/Flashdance) for UK & European Tours and TV specials.
After a great deal of touring and international performing he returned to the UK to get back to singing rock and joined ‘The New Wave of British Heavy Metal Band’ Desolation Angels, appearing at festivals in the UK and Europe. We asked him for a message to everyone and he said “I cant wait to get Back on the Road Again playing some great gigs and meeting friends and fans of Don and of Slade!”
We’re still not sure why he is known as Curly though... hmmm".
"We are pleased to say that Ian ‘Curly’ Davies will be the vocalist for the Don Powell Band. Curly has sung in many West End shows such as Miss Saigon / Evita / Starlight Express / Damn Yankees / Me & My Girl and also been a backing vocalist with Irene Cara (Fame/Flashdance) for UK & European Tours and TV specials.
After a great deal of touring and international performing he returned to the UK to get back to singing rock and joined ‘The New Wave of British Heavy Metal Band’ Desolation Angels, appearing at festivals in the UK and Europe. We asked him for a message to everyone and he said “I cant wait to get Back on the Road Again playing some great gigs and meeting friends and fans of Don and of Slade!”
We’re still not sure why he is known as Curly though... hmmm".
DPB NEWS
Friday 4th August 2020
So, it’s time to fill in the blanks on who’s in The Don Powell Band.
Worst kept secret so far is that the Bass Player is Craig Fenney who was in the original version of Slade II.
Before that Craig had been a member of the Redbeards from Texas, a band some of you may remember... Jim Lea was the producer of their version of Goodbye to Jane back then. Craig says that he is really delighted to be working with Don again and he can’t wait for you all to hear the band really soon
Pictures are from a Slade ll Australian Tour
So, it’s time to fill in the blanks on who’s in The Don Powell Band.
Worst kept secret so far is that the Bass Player is Craig Fenney who was in the original version of Slade II.
Before that Craig had been a member of the Redbeards from Texas, a band some of you may remember... Jim Lea was the producer of their version of Goodbye to Jane back then. Craig says that he is really delighted to be working with Don again and he can’t wait for you all to hear the band really soon
Pictures are from a Slade ll Australian Tour
TWO PROJECTS
Thursday 3rd September 2020 - message from Don
"I'm writing to let the whole world know AND to quell any confusion between 'The Don Powell Band' and 'Don Powell's Occasional Flames'
They are totally different ventures and not to be confused with each other...
I really appreciate your support in these ventures....
Many thanks to all you out there!
Don XXXXXXXXXXXXX "
"I'm writing to let the whole world know AND to quell any confusion between 'The Don Powell Band' and 'Don Powell's Occasional Flames'
They are totally different ventures and not to be confused with each other...
I really appreciate your support in these ventures....
Many thanks to all you out there!
Don XXXXXXXXXXXXX "
MESSAGE FROM DON - AND A FREE BAG OF CHIPS
Sunday 30th August 2020 - Message from Don
"Don Powell here,
I just wanted to thank everyone for your WONDERFUL support.
You don't know how humbled you've made me, knowing you're all there for me... See you all sometime, and I'll buy you all a 'bag of chips'.
Once again, MANY THANKS from the bottom of my heart.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "
"Don Powell here,
I just wanted to thank everyone for your WONDERFUL support.
You don't know how humbled you've made me, knowing you're all there for me... See you all sometime, and I'll buy you all a 'bag of chips'.
Once again, MANY THANKS from the bottom of my heart.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "
The Don Powell Band
Thursday 27th August 2020 19.00 - Message from Don
"Hello everybody. I’m really happy to tell you that I’m now working with some great musicians who, are SO well respected amongst their peers, on something I’ve wanted to do for a long time - The Don Powell Band. Please ‘like’ our Facebook page here if you haven’t already and tell your friends!! Don xxxx"
"Hello everybody. I’m really happy to tell you that I’m now working with some great musicians who, are SO well respected amongst their peers, on something I’ve wanted to do for a long time - The Don Powell Band. Please ‘like’ our Facebook page here if you haven’t already and tell your friends!! Don xxxx"
Hugh the drummer with Taurus talks of his experience supporting Slade
Tuesday 25th August 2020
Webmaster was contacted by Hugh McGouran, who was the drummer with rock band Taurus, the support band to Slade on their 'Slade Smashes' tour in Autumn 1980. It was a tour put together after the band's success a few months earlier at the Reading Festival.
Hugh has shared his backstage pass for the Birmingham Odeon gig on that tour (20th December 1980) - a gig which was his personal highlight of the tour - and the pass is now one of his treasured items from that period.
Unfortunately the Wolverhampton Civic gig (7th December 1980) on the same tour doesn't hold such fond memories. Hugh said: "The less said of the Wolverhampton Civic gig the better!! I don’t think the crowd were that interested in a support act, we walked on to silence and left to the sound of our own footsteps!!"
Hugh continued: "I was the drummer in the band Taurus, and we enjoyed a brief period in the NWOBHM sun in 80/81 with our Slade gigs being huge in my experience.
As a drummer I have always held Don Powell in the highest esteem. On that tour he really looked after me, and got me to hold my head up whilst playing!!! He told me to chew gum! And magically my head lifted from my chest and I looked so much better on stage.
The night of the Wolverhampton gig was very special as the band invited us to their private family party at a pub I think was called the Trumpet. What I do remember is the music was provided by the guy who played keys on Pebble Mill at One!
The lads were so kind to us and we learned so much from them. We knew the experience with them worked as we left the Slade tour the night of the Birmingham gig to join the last three nights of the band Saxon's 'Strong Arm of the Law' tour and put the fear of God up them at the first gig!! The Saxon tour manager happened to be Swinn, who worked with Slade for years.
They were great times made legendary by our time with Slade.
Don was kind enough to share his address and phone number with me, as he was going to help me get a Ludwig endorsement, but it never happened due to some bad luck. I lost Don's contact details when a car fire took my address book with it!!
Anyway, thanks for giving me the opportunity to bring back these fantastic memories by dropping you a few notes about us playing with Slade.
Please say hi to Don from me, he won’t remember me (he took weeks to remember my name when I knew him!) and tell him I loved his book. Oh, and I’ve played Ludwig since the early 80’s!! "
Webmaster was contacted by Hugh McGouran, who was the drummer with rock band Taurus, the support band to Slade on their 'Slade Smashes' tour in Autumn 1980. It was a tour put together after the band's success a few months earlier at the Reading Festival.
Hugh has shared his backstage pass for the Birmingham Odeon gig on that tour (20th December 1980) - a gig which was his personal highlight of the tour - and the pass is now one of his treasured items from that period.
Unfortunately the Wolverhampton Civic gig (7th December 1980) on the same tour doesn't hold such fond memories. Hugh said: "The less said of the Wolverhampton Civic gig the better!! I don’t think the crowd were that interested in a support act, we walked on to silence and left to the sound of our own footsteps!!"
Hugh continued: "I was the drummer in the band Taurus, and we enjoyed a brief period in the NWOBHM sun in 80/81 with our Slade gigs being huge in my experience.
As a drummer I have always held Don Powell in the highest esteem. On that tour he really looked after me, and got me to hold my head up whilst playing!!! He told me to chew gum! And magically my head lifted from my chest and I looked so much better on stage.
The night of the Wolverhampton gig was very special as the band invited us to their private family party at a pub I think was called the Trumpet. What I do remember is the music was provided by the guy who played keys on Pebble Mill at One!
The lads were so kind to us and we learned so much from them. We knew the experience with them worked as we left the Slade tour the night of the Birmingham gig to join the last three nights of the band Saxon's 'Strong Arm of the Law' tour and put the fear of God up them at the first gig!! The Saxon tour manager happened to be Swinn, who worked with Slade for years.
They were great times made legendary by our time with Slade.
Don was kind enough to share his address and phone number with me, as he was going to help me get a Ludwig endorsement, but it never happened due to some bad luck. I lost Don's contact details when a car fire took my address book with it!!
Anyway, thanks for giving me the opportunity to bring back these fantastic memories by dropping you a few notes about us playing with Slade.
Please say hi to Don from me, he won’t remember me (he took weeks to remember my name when I knew him!) and tell him I loved his book. Oh, and I’ve played Ludwig since the early 80’s!! "
Don recommends.....'It Ain't Heavy, It's My Story'
Thursday 20th August 2020
Don's grateful to Bobby Elliott, the drummer with The Hollies, for sending him a copy of 'It Ain't Heavy, It's My Story' (his biography).
Don's finding it a great read.
Don's grateful to Bobby Elliott, the drummer with The Hollies, for sending him a copy of 'It Ain't Heavy, It's My Story' (his biography).
Don's finding it a great read.
Some of Don's costume designs shared by Steve Megson
Saturday 15th August 2020
Webmaster was pleased to receive contact from Steve Megson who designed some of Don's stage clothes in the 1970's.
He was pleased to share a draft drawing of the geometric design outfit (below) that Don wore on Slade's 'Everyday' performance on Top Of The Pops in Spring 1974.
Don said about Steve Megson: "It would be nice to Steve Megson again. Do you know his father Les ran The Trumpet pub in Bilston? Steve and his then wife Barbara made a great job in designing and making all the stage clothes for 'Slade In Flame'. They were oh so colourful - and there were those ones that glowed under a white spotlight. It's a shame those stage costumes are not still around - they were quite unique".
Webmaster was pleased to receive contact from Steve Megson who designed some of Don's stage clothes in the 1970's.
He was pleased to share a draft drawing of the geometric design outfit (below) that Don wore on Slade's 'Everyday' performance on Top Of The Pops in Spring 1974.
Don said about Steve Megson: "It would be nice to Steve Megson again. Do you know his father Les ran The Trumpet pub in Bilston? Steve and his then wife Barbara made a great job in designing and making all the stage clothes for 'Slade In Flame'. They were oh so colourful - and there were those ones that glowed under a white spotlight. It's a shame those stage costumes are not still around - they were quite unique".
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Also Steve attached some images of designs he created for the 'Flame' movie. The designs were presented to Richard Longcraine, the Director of Slade in Flame, and to Chas Chandler. They showed the development of the band as the story progressed. Steve said the final design costumes used on the Flame album cover were made from 3MG material and the images of Flames were projected onto them as they performed.
Don on drums with The Glam 'Far Far Away'
Don recently re-recorded the Slade classic 'Far Far Away' with Danish band The Glam. You can see the video - click here.
It's release day for 'To be continued....' by Don Powell's Occasional Flames
Friday 7th August 2020
Today sees the release of Don Powell's Occasional Flames new single 'To be continued....' You can download and stream it from all major platforms NOW!
Today sees the release of Don Powell's Occasional Flames new single 'To be continued....' You can download and stream it from all major platforms NOW!
Don talks to Paul Weller's drummer Steve White - Part Two
Monday 3rd August 2020 - Don has completed Part Two of an interview with Paul Weller's drummer Steve White. You can see the video on YouTube below.
'To Be Continued...' Don Powell's Occasional Flames
Saturday 25th July 2020 - Message from Les Glover:
"To all my friends, just to let you know, our new single is now available for pre-order on iTunes, Amazon and all the usual shower so if you purchase it any time over the next two weeks it will have a good chance of charting on the day of release (7th August). If you could purchase it in that time or even just spread the word and share the link we would really appreciate it and any money received will go towards funding our album due for release sometime next year. Much love and ta very much my Flammable Friends x".
To pre-order on Amazon click here
"To all my friends, just to let you know, our new single is now available for pre-order on iTunes, Amazon and all the usual shower so if you purchase it any time over the next two weeks it will have a good chance of charting on the day of release (7th August). If you could purchase it in that time or even just spread the word and share the link we would really appreciate it and any money received will go towards funding our album due for release sometime next year. Much love and ta very much my Flammable Friends x".
To pre-order on Amazon click here
Is this the oldest Slade related concert ticket in existence?
Vendors ticket - Willenhall Comprehensive School - 13th June 1964
Thursday 16th July 2020
Don received a photo from Sandra Stubbs / McCoy (long term friend / fan) - which possibly shows the oldest Slade related concert ticket still in existence.
The ticket relates to Don's first band The Vendors performance at Willenhall Comprehensive School on 13th June 1964. The event was run by St Giles Youth Club - and featured a band called The Dennisons - who had recently won a local talent contest.
Don received a photo from Sandra Stubbs / McCoy (long term friend / fan) - which possibly shows the oldest Slade related concert ticket still in existence.
The ticket relates to Don's first band The Vendors performance at Willenhall Comprehensive School on 13th June 1964. The event was run by St Giles Youth Club - and featured a band called The Dennisons - who had recently won a local talent contest.
Don talks to Paul Weller's drummer Steve White
Tuesday 14th July 2020
Don's been doing, and enjoying, lots of Zoom web chats recently!
Last week he spoke to Paul Weller's drummer Steve White. You can see the interview in the YouTube link below.
Don's been doing, and enjoying, lots of Zoom web chats recently!
Last week he spoke to Paul Weller's drummer Steve White. You can see the interview in the YouTube link below.
Don and The Glam
Sunday 28th June 2020
Don advises that on Thursday 25th of June he spent a couple of hours driving to Varde in Denmark. He met with Torben from the band called The Glam.
Don was pleased to let Torben introduce him to his band and spent a couple of hours chatting with the guys before putting down drums on two tracks 'Far Far Away' and 'Merry Xmas Everybody'. Don reports that it was great to be back playing again - and hopes that Glam will use the tracks from the recording...
Below are three pics courtesy of The Glam Facebook Page and their YouTube video of Don during the recording session...
Don advises that on Thursday 25th of June he spent a couple of hours driving to Varde in Denmark. He met with Torben from the band called The Glam.
Don was pleased to let Torben introduce him to his band and spent a couple of hours chatting with the guys before putting down drums on two tracks 'Far Far Away' and 'Merry Xmas Everybody'. Don reports that it was great to be back playing again - and hopes that Glam will use the tracks from the recording...
Below are three pics courtesy of The Glam Facebook Page and their YouTube video of Don during the recording session...
Don informed that rare demo has been uncovered
Tuesday 23rd June 2020
Don has received an interesting email from Sandra Stubbs / McCoy. In the 1960's she was a member of the Bourne Youth Club in Moxley. Don and Swinn used to go there - as it was near where Swinn used to live.
Well Sandra made contact to inform Don that she still owned a copy of a demo record that The 'N Betweens / Vendors made in 1963/64 (Don's not exactly sure) that Swinn and Don gave her.
The record was made at the instigation of, the band's then manager, Chalkie White. The line up of the band at that time was
Johnny Howells (Vocalist & harmonica player)
Mick Marson (Rhythm Guitar & vocals)
Bill Diffy (Bass Guitar)
Dave Hill (Guitar & Vocals)
Don Powell (Drums)
It was recorded at the Domino Studios in Albrighton (just outside Wolverhampton).
The studio was owned by Andy McClachlan - who played in another Wolverhampton group The Tremors.
Track List of the demo:
‘Take Your Time' (Buddy Holly cover)
'Peace Pipe (The Shadows cover)
'‘Twighlight Time' (The Platters cover)
‘Don’t Leave Me Now’ (The 'N Betweens / Vendors song)
Don thinks there was only four demos actually made. SO THIS RECORD IS VERY RARE. Don is really pleased that it is still in existence.
Don has received an interesting email from Sandra Stubbs / McCoy. In the 1960's she was a member of the Bourne Youth Club in Moxley. Don and Swinn used to go there - as it was near where Swinn used to live.
Well Sandra made contact to inform Don that she still owned a copy of a demo record that The 'N Betweens / Vendors made in 1963/64 (Don's not exactly sure) that Swinn and Don gave her.
The record was made at the instigation of, the band's then manager, Chalkie White. The line up of the band at that time was
Johnny Howells (Vocalist & harmonica player)
Mick Marson (Rhythm Guitar & vocals)
Bill Diffy (Bass Guitar)
Dave Hill (Guitar & Vocals)
Don Powell (Drums)
It was recorded at the Domino Studios in Albrighton (just outside Wolverhampton).
The studio was owned by Andy McClachlan - who played in another Wolverhampton group The Tremors.
Track List of the demo:
‘Take Your Time' (Buddy Holly cover)
'Peace Pipe (The Shadows cover)
'‘Twighlight Time' (The Platters cover)
‘Don’t Leave Me Now’ (The 'N Betweens / Vendors song)
Don thinks there was only four demos actually made. SO THIS RECORD IS VERY RARE. Don is really pleased that it is still in existence.
Don & Donna - Drummer Talk
Sunday 21st June 2020 - Don's Zoom chat with Donna from Slady yesterday has now been published as a stand-alone YouTube video. To view, please click the link below.
Don update on his health and coronavirus in Denmark
Saturday 20th June 2020
Don last week spoke to webmaster via Zoom with an update on his health and the coronavirus situation in Denmark. The update is published below...
After the update Don continued with an interview with Donna Powell - the drummer in the female Slade tribute band Slady. The first part of the interview can be seen on the 'Slady World 2' video - which goes like on YouTube from Saturday 20th June at 8pm (UK time). The video will be able to be viewed here: https://youtu.be/7NRbVI0LjXc
Don last week spoke to webmaster via Zoom with an update on his health and the coronavirus situation in Denmark. The update is published below...
After the update Don continued with an interview with Donna Powell - the drummer in the female Slade tribute band Slady. The first part of the interview can be seen on the 'Slady World 2' video - which goes like on YouTube from Saturday 20th June at 8pm (UK time). The video will be able to be viewed here: https://youtu.be/7NRbVI0LjXc
R.I.P. Dame Vera Lynn
Thursday 18th June 2020 - Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn sadly passed away today aged 103.
This morning Don spoke to the Wolverhampton Express & Star. The articles reads as follows:
Former Slade drummer Don Powell has paid tribute to Dame Vera Lynn who died at the age of 103.
The forces' sweetheart met with the Black Country glam rock band at the Melody Maker Awards in 1973, and they were pictured together around a piano.
Don said he remembered the occasion well, and said it was a privilege to meet someone of her stature.
"She was a fantastic woman, when you think of the history she had got," he said.
"Her history is just unbelievable when you think of what she did through the wartime years. When you talk about icons, that's just what she was."
Don, now 73, remembered her as being very friendly and good fun.
"She was just one of the girls really, she seemed so interested in what we were doing," he said.
"She didn't really know us, she just walked over to us and asked us what we were up to."
Don recalled the event as a particularly enjoyable occasion, with some of the biggest names in the music industry.
"It was just fantastic, when you look at the people that were there. She was the one who was so friendly and came up to talk to us and ask us what we were doing."
The ceremony took place in March, 1973, when Slade – formed at Bilston drill hall –was at the height of its success, having just topped the charts with Cum On Feel the Noize.
This morning Don spoke to the Wolverhampton Express & Star. The articles reads as follows:
Former Slade drummer Don Powell has paid tribute to Dame Vera Lynn who died at the age of 103.
The forces' sweetheart met with the Black Country glam rock band at the Melody Maker Awards in 1973, and they were pictured together around a piano.
Don said he remembered the occasion well, and said it was a privilege to meet someone of her stature.
"She was a fantastic woman, when you think of the history she had got," he said.
"Her history is just unbelievable when you think of what she did through the wartime years. When you talk about icons, that's just what she was."
Don, now 73, remembered her as being very friendly and good fun.
"She was just one of the girls really, she seemed so interested in what we were doing," he said.
"She didn't really know us, she just walked over to us and asked us what we were up to."
Don recalled the event as a particularly enjoyable occasion, with some of the biggest names in the music industry.
"It was just fantastic, when you look at the people that were there. She was the one who was so friendly and came up to talk to us and ask us what we were doing."
The ceremony took place in March, 1973, when Slade – formed at Bilston drill hall –was at the height of its success, having just topped the charts with Cum On Feel the Noize.
Don tries out new drum kits
Saturday 6th June 2020
DON TRIES OUT DRUM KITS AT THE DRUM LIMOUSINE SHOP IN ARHUS, DENMARK
Following Don's return to the drums on Friday, his step-son Andreas took him to look at new kits in Arhus today. They visited the Drum Limousine shop and Don tried out various kits. Thanks to Andreas for sending us some short videos of the occasion - including Don getting caught in the summer rain later!
Andreas said: "I took the old geezer out for a day in Arhus and let him loose in the Drum Limousine shop.... We had a nice lunch. And by lunch I mean I had a salad and Don of course had a piece of cake!"
DON TRIES OUT DRUM KITS AT THE DRUM LIMOUSINE SHOP IN ARHUS, DENMARK
Following Don's return to the drums on Friday, his step-son Andreas took him to look at new kits in Arhus today. They visited the Drum Limousine shop and Don tried out various kits. Thanks to Andreas for sending us some short videos of the occasion - including Don getting caught in the summer rain later!
Andreas said: "I took the old geezer out for a day in Arhus and let him loose in the Drum Limousine shop.... We had a nice lunch. And by lunch I mean I had a salad and Don of course had a piece of cake!"
THE RETURN OF DON POWELL!!!
Friday 5th June 2020
GREAT NEWS - DON HAS NOW RETURNED TO DRUMMING!
The news that all fans wanted to hear - Don has returned to sitting behind his drum kit and practising!
Many thanks to Andreas, Don's step-son, who has today sent the website a video of Don practising on his drums at home in Denmark.
Andreas wrote in his email: "And they said he would never play drums again!.... Honestly, I think our neighbours hoped the Doctors were right".
Don's getting back to playing so he will be ready for the impending Ex Men gigs in December.
The video below is downloadable - please feel free to download and share.
GREAT NEWS - DON HAS NOW RETURNED TO DRUMMING!
The news that all fans wanted to hear - Don has returned to sitting behind his drum kit and practising!
Many thanks to Andreas, Don's step-son, who has today sent the website a video of Don practising on his drums at home in Denmark.
Andreas wrote in his email: "And they said he would never play drums again!.... Honestly, I think our neighbours hoped the Doctors were right".
Don's getting back to playing so he will be ready for the impending Ex Men gigs in December.
The video below is downloadable - please feel free to download and share.
Roadie Robbie and the story of Slade at The Sundown....
Saturday 30 May 2020
Many thanks again to Don's mate, and ex Slade drum roadie, Robbie Wilson, for getting in touch with a story about Slade's performance at the opening of the Sundown Theatre in Mile End, London on 7th September 1972. First, the background to Robbie's story.
BACKGROUND
The 'Sundown' chain was a new venture by the Rank Organisation in 1972. Four London cinemas were converted to Sundown music theatres. The locations were in: Mile End (the Odeon was converted). Brixton (the Astoria was converted), Edmonton (the Regal was converted) and Charing Cross Rd (the Astoria was converted).
All venues were upgraded with flat floors installed, downstairs seats taken out, state of the art PA's installed, large drinking bars opened at the back of the stalls and the inside of all venues were painted dark blue.
The first venue to open was the Mile End Sundown. Slade were secured to play the opening night. It was a big coup for the Rank Organisation as they were the top British Band at the time after having three No1 singles in the previous twelve months: 'Coz I Luv You', 'Take Me Bak 'Ome' and ' Mama Weer All Crazee Now'.
However, subsequent to being booked for the gig, Slade were offered (and accepted) a U.S.Tour and the dates clashed. Slade's manager Chas Chandler tried to cancel (or at least postpone) the Sundown gig. However, the Rank Organisation after spending substantial funds promoting the gig insisted that it go ahead - despite the U.S. Tour being agreed upon. They threatened legal action if Slade didn't perform.
The result was that Slade honoured the commitment - having to take a break from their US tour - fly back with their crew and equipment to the UK - play the Sundown gig (7th Sept) - and then fly straight back to the US to continue their tour there.
A friend of Robbie's who worked at Top Rank at the time recently showed him the Press Pack for the Sundown gig (see pic one above) - and this brought back memories of the gig. Apparently it was a drunken affair for the band. Webmaster has shown Robbie the pic of the band before the gig all drinking (see pic 2 above)... and Robbie said "Confirms my tale! They're all getting pissed".
Many thanks again to Don's mate, and ex Slade drum roadie, Robbie Wilson, for getting in touch with a story about Slade's performance at the opening of the Sundown Theatre in Mile End, London on 7th September 1972. First, the background to Robbie's story.
BACKGROUND
The 'Sundown' chain was a new venture by the Rank Organisation in 1972. Four London cinemas were converted to Sundown music theatres. The locations were in: Mile End (the Odeon was converted). Brixton (the Astoria was converted), Edmonton (the Regal was converted) and Charing Cross Rd (the Astoria was converted).
All venues were upgraded with flat floors installed, downstairs seats taken out, state of the art PA's installed, large drinking bars opened at the back of the stalls and the inside of all venues were painted dark blue.
The first venue to open was the Mile End Sundown. Slade were secured to play the opening night. It was a big coup for the Rank Organisation as they were the top British Band at the time after having three No1 singles in the previous twelve months: 'Coz I Luv You', 'Take Me Bak 'Ome' and ' Mama Weer All Crazee Now'.
However, subsequent to being booked for the gig, Slade were offered (and accepted) a U.S.Tour and the dates clashed. Slade's manager Chas Chandler tried to cancel (or at least postpone) the Sundown gig. However, the Rank Organisation after spending substantial funds promoting the gig insisted that it go ahead - despite the U.S. Tour being agreed upon. They threatened legal action if Slade didn't perform.
The result was that Slade honoured the commitment - having to take a break from their US tour - fly back with their crew and equipment to the UK - play the Sundown gig (7th Sept) - and then fly straight back to the US to continue their tour there.
A friend of Robbie's who worked at Top Rank at the time recently showed him the Press Pack for the Sundown gig (see pic one above) - and this brought back memories of the gig. Apparently it was a drunken affair for the band. Webmaster has shown Robbie the pic of the band before the gig all drinking (see pic 2 above)... and Robbie said "Confirms my tale! They're all getting pissed".
The Mile End Odeon - before getting converted to the Sundown in 1972
ROBBIE'S STORY ABOUT SLADE'S GIG AT THE SUNDOWN
"Hope this finds you all well.
As recorded in Slade history, the band and crew flew to America for first time in July 1972. The band flew into Los Angeles airport and did gig with Humble Pie at the start of their U.S. Tour. The gig was in San Diego (I thought it was Sacramento but Don reckons San Diego). Webmaster: Don's correct - the gig was at the Community Concourse in San Diego on 3rd September 1972.
Anyway, we did the gig, then we flew back to the UK, did the Sundown show and flew back to L.A. next day to resume the Humble Pie US Tour! A crazy course of events.
It was a great show but afterwards Nod went missing and couldn't be found anywhere (of course it was before we all had mobile phones).
Everyone searched the venue but to no avail. However after a while Nod managed to make a phone call to the production office line at the venue to explain what had happened to him...
He said he had been "kidnapped by a fan who lived nearby and couldn't get away". All he knew was he "was in a block of flats - and was on the 13th floor".
Of course I was tasked with finding him!
Off I went at 1am in the morning and found the area he described in Mile End. Only once I got there I was confronted by...... ten blocks of flats looking exactly the same!
Off I went on my hunt. I went to the 13th floor of each block, shouting through the letterboxes of each flat - calling for Nod. There were four flats on each of the 13th floors!
I was expecting at any minute to be confronted by a large East Ender or possibly a shotgun coming back through the letterbox. At 1am in the morning to have a strange man shouting through your letterbox would (certainly in America) justify such actions!
But... thank the Lord! The 3rd block I went to, I found him! He was a little pissed (erm just a tad). He was saying he didn’t forsee what happened to him actually happening!
Haha. The band eventually made their flight back to the U.S. the day after the gig....
I have many more such experiences yet “to divulge“.
Sorry Nod, the Sundown poster brought it all back to me. No wonder I'm traumatised from those days!
All of course remembered with fondness.
Much love
Robbie."
Don says of the trek from the UK to the US, then back to the UK and back to the US all in a matter of days... "we were back in the UK for such a small amount of time, I didn't even change my watch from US time to UK time when we were home".
"Hope this finds you all well.
As recorded in Slade history, the band and crew flew to America for first time in July 1972. The band flew into Los Angeles airport and did gig with Humble Pie at the start of their U.S. Tour. The gig was in San Diego (I thought it was Sacramento but Don reckons San Diego). Webmaster: Don's correct - the gig was at the Community Concourse in San Diego on 3rd September 1972.
Anyway, we did the gig, then we flew back to the UK, did the Sundown show and flew back to L.A. next day to resume the Humble Pie US Tour! A crazy course of events.
It was a great show but afterwards Nod went missing and couldn't be found anywhere (of course it was before we all had mobile phones).
Everyone searched the venue but to no avail. However after a while Nod managed to make a phone call to the production office line at the venue to explain what had happened to him...
He said he had been "kidnapped by a fan who lived nearby and couldn't get away". All he knew was he "was in a block of flats - and was on the 13th floor".
Of course I was tasked with finding him!
Off I went at 1am in the morning and found the area he described in Mile End. Only once I got there I was confronted by...... ten blocks of flats looking exactly the same!
Off I went on my hunt. I went to the 13th floor of each block, shouting through the letterboxes of each flat - calling for Nod. There were four flats on each of the 13th floors!
I was expecting at any minute to be confronted by a large East Ender or possibly a shotgun coming back through the letterbox. At 1am in the morning to have a strange man shouting through your letterbox would (certainly in America) justify such actions!
But... thank the Lord! The 3rd block I went to, I found him! He was a little pissed (erm just a tad). He was saying he didn’t forsee what happened to him actually happening!
Haha. The band eventually made their flight back to the U.S. the day after the gig....
I have many more such experiences yet “to divulge“.
Sorry Nod, the Sundown poster brought it all back to me. No wonder I'm traumatised from those days!
All of course remembered with fondness.
Much love
Robbie."
Don says of the trek from the UK to the US, then back to the UK and back to the US all in a matter of days... "we were back in the UK for such a small amount of time, I didn't even change my watch from US time to UK time when we were home".
GIG REVIEW - SOUNDS MAGAZINE - 14TH SEPTEMBER 1972
SLADE: Sundown Theatre, Mile End, London - 7th September 1972
CRAZEE BOYS 'APPY OPENING
"HANDS UP all those girls with red knickers on. Hands up all those girls with white knickers on. Hands up all those girls with NO knickers on!" Noddy Holder in glistening topper, tartan britches and braces, red shoes and hooped socks, looking every inch like one of Ken Dodd's Diddymen, gets the answer he wanted and gazing out at a sea of upstretched arms feigns surprise: "Oh you RUDE girls!"
Slade, the retired princes of bovver, flew over six thousand miles from the warmth of Los Angeles to the Mile End road last Thursday to open the first of London's Sundown Theatres only to fly out the next day to the west coast to cintinue their American tour. The round trip proved hugely succcessful and all of the thousands who jam packed the ex bingo hall went away more than 'appy. The East Enders, noy unused to a little bovver themselves, took Slade to their hearts, chanting, stamping and waving at the wag of a Dave Hill finger or a request from Nod.
Mile End's Sundown holds around three thousand and the floor has been cleared of all seating to allow for more bopping, although the audience for Slade were so crushed that fainting was the only way to find release and movement. Tha balcony has rows of seats but it's down below that holds the action.
Biggles, a four piece with Carl Palmer's teenage brother on drums, had the dubious honour of opening and it wasn't a very inspired set. They tended to go off into long, involved solos throughout, and the tightness suffered. Traffic's "No Face, No Name No Number" was the only song to show what Biggles might be all about.Their singer hit his best notes of the night on this one and the guitarist, who looks like he could blossom into a fine player, featured well controlled runs. Freddie King's "Goin' Down" closed their set.
The wait for Slade proved too much after the 30 minute mark was passed and the chants went up: "we want Slade, we want Slade", but still no Noddy, Dave, Jimmy and Don, just the drumkit picked up in the spotlight. Any minute you expected a voice to filter over the PA "can anyone here play the drums? We are unable to present the billed act I'm afraid..."
But just on the stroke of 9.45pm, on they came. Showmanship bursting from every move, there they were dressed fit to kill, Noddy in those familiar Rupert Bear trousers, Dave Hill in silver boots and suit with glitter across his forehead and dripping from his hair. The others, by comparison looked like tramps at Ascot races, Jimmy in a plain yellow suit and dynamic Don in silver string vest.
GIG REVIEW - SOUNDS MAGAZINE - 14TH SEPTEMBER 1972
SLADE: Sundown Theatre, Mile End, London - 7th September 1972
CRAZEE BOYS 'APPY OPENING
"HANDS UP all those girls with red knickers on. Hands up all those girls with white knickers on. Hands up all those girls with NO knickers on!" Noddy Holder in glistening topper, tartan britches and braces, red shoes and hooped socks, looking every inch like one of Ken Dodd's Diddymen, gets the answer he wanted and gazing out at a sea of upstretched arms feigns surprise: "Oh you RUDE girls!"
Slade, the retired princes of bovver, flew over six thousand miles from the warmth of Los Angeles to the Mile End road last Thursday to open the first of London's Sundown Theatres only to fly out the next day to the west coast to cintinue their American tour. The round trip proved hugely succcessful and all of the thousands who jam packed the ex bingo hall went away more than 'appy. The East Enders, noy unused to a little bovver themselves, took Slade to their hearts, chanting, stamping and waving at the wag of a Dave Hill finger or a request from Nod.
Mile End's Sundown holds around three thousand and the floor has been cleared of all seating to allow for more bopping, although the audience for Slade were so crushed that fainting was the only way to find release and movement. Tha balcony has rows of seats but it's down below that holds the action.
Biggles, a four piece with Carl Palmer's teenage brother on drums, had the dubious honour of opening and it wasn't a very inspired set. They tended to go off into long, involved solos throughout, and the tightness suffered. Traffic's "No Face, No Name No Number" was the only song to show what Biggles might be all about.Their singer hit his best notes of the night on this one and the guitarist, who looks like he could blossom into a fine player, featured well controlled runs. Freddie King's "Goin' Down" closed their set.
The wait for Slade proved too much after the 30 minute mark was passed and the chants went up: "we want Slade, we want Slade", but still no Noddy, Dave, Jimmy and Don, just the drumkit picked up in the spotlight. Any minute you expected a voice to filter over the PA "can anyone here play the drums? We are unable to present the billed act I'm afraid..."
But just on the stroke of 9.45pm, on they came. Showmanship bursting from every move, there they were dressed fit to kill, Noddy in those familiar Rupert Bear trousers, Dave Hill in silver boots and suit with glitter across his forehead and dripping from his hair. The others, by comparison looked like tramps at Ascot races, Jimmy in a plain yellow suit and dynamic Don in silver string vest.
"Hear Me Calling" with Dave gliding across stage like a tall silver spider, got things rolling after the usual "Are You feelin' all right" assurities and Noddy ordering "We want everyone to get warmed up right from the start."
"In Like A Shot From My Gun" was next and the show started to roll. Slowly building towards the climax each song worked beautifully to wind the audience up for the kill. Crowd participation is the key to Slade's monster success, total audience participation throughout and it wins them over every time. In this respect Slade are really a peoples band.
No matter what stage of the song's been reached Noddy breaks in: "We've had a bit of a long journey, so we're feeling a bit knackered", or " Can everybody at the back hear?" Turn the sound up. Can everyone in the balcony hear OK?"
"Look What You've Done" thunders away and they're into Janis Joplin's "Move Over Baby" --- with a few additional lines from Nod. Jimmy Lea's bass is thundering out the notes along with Don Powell on drums, while various antics like jumping on and off specially placed boxes and tables covered in gleaming silver foil are thrown in for fun.
And fun's what's involved for Slade and their audiences. The music is secondary, but it's there when needed, and ribaldry that makes up a great deal of their stage presentation is direct enough to be vulgar but it isn't. Even at it's most basic it's acceptable and the kids lap it up. They're musicians who aren't caught up in just playing for themselves, the audiences realise this from the start and react accordingly and the result is open, no messing spontaneity.
Noddy asks for a bit of hush while they promise to lay a "slow, sexy one" on the audience, it's "Over The Rainbow" but decide that John Sebastian's 'Darling Be Home Soon" would be a better bet. And then Noddy's off at a mad tangent again, tottering on the edge of the stage, leering at the crowds with an insane grin. It's time for the audience to join in the show again --- in the middle of the number.
He teases locals about the allegiance to West Ham, mentioning the hated names of Spurs,Chelsea and Arsenal and coyly deciding "Oh West ham's the favourite team around here is it?", knowing full well that he's in the heart of the Hammer's country.
Then he's got them singing "You'll Never Walk Alone", swaying in time and for a moment with eyes closed, you could imagine it was Saturday afternoon on the terraces. The teasing's over, now for a pat on the back and Noddy praises the audience and suggests they give themselves a good clap, asking for the lights to be turned away from the stage onto the floor. "Darling" is resumed and finished and then a storming version of " Good Golly Miss Molly" proves more than many can stand in the balcony, most of whose dwellers leave their seats and start a'bopping like their stand up friends downstairs.
"Good Golly" shows Slade's slip a bit, they really can power along when they're roused and Jimmy leaves the safety of the stage to jump on the topmost speakers and do his bass bit from there. But he's down again for a little fiddle jig which runs into the band's first big hit "Coz I Luv You".
As you'd expect, all hell breaks loose when "Take Me Back 'Ome" followed and everyone stamped and clapped together, shaking the balcony frighteningly and sending even the coolest spectator into a furious flurry of swinging arms and contorting body.
It was a mass takeover and "Get Down And Get With It", their ninth number, just drove the point home even deeper. There had been no great virtuoso performances, no lengthy musical passages but sheer rocking power that plunged everyone into limp submission. Odd girls were passed up from the arena to the stage for safety after being overcome by it all and Slade played on and on.
A brassiere (size 34 at a conservative estimate), emblazoned with the word SLADE, found it's way on stage at one point and Mr Holder, beingthe gentleman he is, offered to put it back on if the distresses lady would like to claim it later.
Slade left the stage, got the encore that had to come and played out "mama Weer All Crazee Now" with as much kick as if it had been their first song of the evening. Nothing tricky to report as far as musicianship goes, but everyone had a bloody good time, and that's the best thing you can say for anyone's music.
BILLY WALKER - SOUNDS MAGAZINE 14/9/72
"In Like A Shot From My Gun" was next and the show started to roll. Slowly building towards the climax each song worked beautifully to wind the audience up for the kill. Crowd participation is the key to Slade's monster success, total audience participation throughout and it wins them over every time. In this respect Slade are really a peoples band.
No matter what stage of the song's been reached Noddy breaks in: "We've had a bit of a long journey, so we're feeling a bit knackered", or " Can everybody at the back hear?" Turn the sound up. Can everyone in the balcony hear OK?"
"Look What You've Done" thunders away and they're into Janis Joplin's "Move Over Baby" --- with a few additional lines from Nod. Jimmy Lea's bass is thundering out the notes along with Don Powell on drums, while various antics like jumping on and off specially placed boxes and tables covered in gleaming silver foil are thrown in for fun.
And fun's what's involved for Slade and their audiences. The music is secondary, but it's there when needed, and ribaldry that makes up a great deal of their stage presentation is direct enough to be vulgar but it isn't. Even at it's most basic it's acceptable and the kids lap it up. They're musicians who aren't caught up in just playing for themselves, the audiences realise this from the start and react accordingly and the result is open, no messing spontaneity.
Noddy asks for a bit of hush while they promise to lay a "slow, sexy one" on the audience, it's "Over The Rainbow" but decide that John Sebastian's 'Darling Be Home Soon" would be a better bet. And then Noddy's off at a mad tangent again, tottering on the edge of the stage, leering at the crowds with an insane grin. It's time for the audience to join in the show again --- in the middle of the number.
He teases locals about the allegiance to West Ham, mentioning the hated names of Spurs,Chelsea and Arsenal and coyly deciding "Oh West ham's the favourite team around here is it?", knowing full well that he's in the heart of the Hammer's country.
Then he's got them singing "You'll Never Walk Alone", swaying in time and for a moment with eyes closed, you could imagine it was Saturday afternoon on the terraces. The teasing's over, now for a pat on the back and Noddy praises the audience and suggests they give themselves a good clap, asking for the lights to be turned away from the stage onto the floor. "Darling" is resumed and finished and then a storming version of " Good Golly Miss Molly" proves more than many can stand in the balcony, most of whose dwellers leave their seats and start a'bopping like their stand up friends downstairs.
"Good Golly" shows Slade's slip a bit, they really can power along when they're roused and Jimmy leaves the safety of the stage to jump on the topmost speakers and do his bass bit from there. But he's down again for a little fiddle jig which runs into the band's first big hit "Coz I Luv You".
As you'd expect, all hell breaks loose when "Take Me Back 'Ome" followed and everyone stamped and clapped together, shaking the balcony frighteningly and sending even the coolest spectator into a furious flurry of swinging arms and contorting body.
It was a mass takeover and "Get Down And Get With It", their ninth number, just drove the point home even deeper. There had been no great virtuoso performances, no lengthy musical passages but sheer rocking power that plunged everyone into limp submission. Odd girls were passed up from the arena to the stage for safety after being overcome by it all and Slade played on and on.
A brassiere (size 34 at a conservative estimate), emblazoned with the word SLADE, found it's way on stage at one point and Mr Holder, beingthe gentleman he is, offered to put it back on if the distresses lady would like to claim it later.
Slade left the stage, got the encore that had to come and played out "mama Weer All Crazee Now" with as much kick as if it had been their first song of the evening. Nothing tricky to report as far as musicianship goes, but everyone had a bloody good time, and that's the best thing you can say for anyone's music.
BILLY WALKER - SOUNDS MAGAZINE 14/9/72
Courtesy of Gary Jordan
Don takes down a tree.....
Wednesday 20th May 2020 - Don went out on his constitutional walk yesterday... he doesn't know his own strength, as he almost took down a tree!
Later, he was in his local town, and was about to pay the local bus driver as he made his way home... The driver said to him: "You don't have to pay... you're the drummer with Slade"..... Don was too embarrassed to look at the other passengers on the bus.... The perks of being a famous drummer.
Later, he was in his local town, and was about to pay the local bus driver as he made his way home... The driver said to him: "You don't have to pay... you're the drummer with Slade"..... Don was too embarrassed to look at the other passengers on the bus.... The perks of being a famous drummer.
Update on Don's gigs with The Ex Men
Monday 18th May 2020 -
Here's an update on Don's gigs playing drums with The Ex Men in December...
Friday 11th December - 'Merry Xmas Everybody' show - Holland (to be confirmed)
Saturday 12th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - Gebouw, T Bergen op-Zoom, Holland
Sunday 13th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - Genr Nobel-Leiden, Holland
Monday 14th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - The 100 Club, London, UK (to be confirmed)
Thursday 17th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - The Grand Theatre, Clitheroe, UK (to be confirmed)
Saturday 19th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - The Robin 2, Bilston, UK (to be confirmed)
Here's an update on Don's gigs playing drums with The Ex Men in December...
Friday 11th December - 'Merry Xmas Everybody' show - Holland (to be confirmed)
Saturday 12th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - Gebouw, T Bergen op-Zoom, Holland
Sunday 13th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - Genr Nobel-Leiden, Holland
Monday 14th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - The 100 Club, London, UK (to be confirmed)
Thursday 17th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - The Grand Theatre, Clitheroe, UK (to be confirmed)
Saturday 19th December - 'Merry Christmas Everybody' show - The Robin 2, Bilston, UK (to be confirmed)
Interview with Slade roadie Robbie Wilson
Monday 18th May 2020 - Strange things happen during the Covid-19 lockdown. This weekend Don's drum roadie from the 1970's, Robbie Wilson, got in touch. He's 70 now, mainly retired, lives in London - but is currently locked down in Scotland.
What Don says about Robbie is, that despite all the fun and games on the road "Robbie was such a great roadie. He was SO protective of my drums. He wouldn't let anyone near them, and stayed with them always until it was time for us to go onstage."
Don's delighted to have renewed his contact with Robbie, who also agreed to do the following interview for the website.
What Don says about Robbie is, that despite all the fun and games on the road "Robbie was such a great roadie. He was SO protective of my drums. He wouldn't let anyone near them, and stayed with them always until it was time for us to go onstage."
Don's delighted to have renewed his contact with Robbie, who also agreed to do the following interview for the website.
Q. How and when did you first become involved with Slade?
A. I met Slade in Glasgow in 1967/68 at The Electric Gardens as I was with a roadie the local support act and
became friends with Nod and Don. We used to go to all the local parties after the show and Slade stayed at
Smiths Hotel in Sauchiehall Street for many years when playing in Scotland.
Q. How was it working for Slade?
A. It was a given that it was my dream job from my early teen years.
I grew up in a similar council estate to where Don and Nod grew up. I wanted to travel abroad and be on Top of The Pops with famous band. I ended up with Slade whom I loved as a performance band. You could say this was "my dream came true".
Q. Most memorable Slade gig, performance wise?
A. Now that’s a very hard question Dave as there were so many.
For example. the Lincoln Festival was my first ever major festival and everyone knows what happened there !!!!!
THEY BLEW THE ROOF OFF!!!!
There's a funny story of my first Chas Chandler 'training course' that happened at that festival.
I had only just joined the band (on 12 quid a week!) and Chas said to me: "If It's still Iight by the time we're due on, then go and 'LOSE' Don for a while. We need to have the stage lights for impact". So, off me and Don went and sat in the truck, far away from the stage til It got dark.
I didn’t realise the significance (of what Chas was asking) until the crowd, after waiting half an hour, went nuts when the band finally appeared.... Actually they were Initially were a tad 'reserved' until the second number and they went mad!
After that festival Slade were well and truly established and went on to be huge in UK and Europe at that time.
When I later asked Chas why he chose Don to get lost. He said "drummers always get lost!" LOL LOL LOL. WHICH I LATER FOUND TO BE TRUE OVER MANY YEARS WITH DON!!!! ;))))- Lost in drink / LOL / regularly with ME! ;(
Q. Most memorable gig from it being absolute mayhem (fans, broken seats etc).
A. Well again, hard question.
I guess it could be the London Palladium in January 1973. The Fire Brigade were called because the balcony was bouncing 5 inches during Slade's show (with the fans jumping up and down).
On the bill also were the band Geordie whose singer Brian Johnson went onto huge fame with AC/DC. He was a lovely guy whom I met later again in Sydney when we went in advance of the Slade shows there, and we shared a hotle in Kings Cross.
Q. You travelled the world with Slade. What actual countries did you visit - and what stories do you have from those foreign jaunts?
A. I visited mainline Europe - France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria, and Spain (they did 2 weeks in Benidorm 1974? at a 2,000 capacity residency). In Spain was where we met Gene Vincent who was an old pal of Chas and he lived in Spain at that time.
Also, I travelled to Australia and New Zealand (there was a riot when a security man in 1973 kicked a fan off the stage and actually kicked him in the face).
Also memorable was a gig at Forest Nacional, Belgium. The power went down for second time in two gigs and fans wrecked the Arena. I was stuck on stage as cops shut backstage door. I climbed into Don's drum case to avoid bottles that were raining onto the stage!!!!
A. I met Slade in Glasgow in 1967/68 at The Electric Gardens as I was with a roadie the local support act and
became friends with Nod and Don. We used to go to all the local parties after the show and Slade stayed at
Smiths Hotel in Sauchiehall Street for many years when playing in Scotland.
Q. How was it working for Slade?
A. It was a given that it was my dream job from my early teen years.
I grew up in a similar council estate to where Don and Nod grew up. I wanted to travel abroad and be on Top of The Pops with famous band. I ended up with Slade whom I loved as a performance band. You could say this was "my dream came true".
Q. Most memorable Slade gig, performance wise?
A. Now that’s a very hard question Dave as there were so many.
For example. the Lincoln Festival was my first ever major festival and everyone knows what happened there !!!!!
THEY BLEW THE ROOF OFF!!!!
There's a funny story of my first Chas Chandler 'training course' that happened at that festival.
I had only just joined the band (on 12 quid a week!) and Chas said to me: "If It's still Iight by the time we're due on, then go and 'LOSE' Don for a while. We need to have the stage lights for impact". So, off me and Don went and sat in the truck, far away from the stage til It got dark.
I didn’t realise the significance (of what Chas was asking) until the crowd, after waiting half an hour, went nuts when the band finally appeared.... Actually they were Initially were a tad 'reserved' until the second number and they went mad!
After that festival Slade were well and truly established and went on to be huge in UK and Europe at that time.
When I later asked Chas why he chose Don to get lost. He said "drummers always get lost!" LOL LOL LOL. WHICH I LATER FOUND TO BE TRUE OVER MANY YEARS WITH DON!!!! ;))))- Lost in drink / LOL / regularly with ME! ;(
Q. Most memorable gig from it being absolute mayhem (fans, broken seats etc).
A. Well again, hard question.
I guess it could be the London Palladium in January 1973. The Fire Brigade were called because the balcony was bouncing 5 inches during Slade's show (with the fans jumping up and down).
On the bill also were the band Geordie whose singer Brian Johnson went onto huge fame with AC/DC. He was a lovely guy whom I met later again in Sydney when we went in advance of the Slade shows there, and we shared a hotle in Kings Cross.
Q. You travelled the world with Slade. What actual countries did you visit - and what stories do you have from those foreign jaunts?
A. I visited mainline Europe - France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria, and Spain (they did 2 weeks in Benidorm 1974? at a 2,000 capacity residency). In Spain was where we met Gene Vincent who was an old pal of Chas and he lived in Spain at that time.
Also, I travelled to Australia and New Zealand (there was a riot when a security man in 1973 kicked a fan off the stage and actually kicked him in the face).
Also memorable was a gig at Forest Nacional, Belgium. The power went down for second time in two gigs and fans wrecked the Arena. I was stuck on stage as cops shut backstage door. I climbed into Don's drum case to avoid bottles that were raining onto the stage!!!!
Q. And what’s this story about you ending up in jail???
A. Which time are you talking about ??????? LOL
1st time: California 1974-ish.
I got 7 days for trying to beat the time it would have taken my flight (that was postponed) to travel from Fresno to San Francisco. I raced there in a rented Barracuda sports car as I had a HOT date with a girlfriend who worked for Bill Graham & Santana, as I got impatient with my planned flight getting cancelled???. I was accompanied by my regular room mate Ronnie Meadows (RIP) who was our American lighting designer. (He was also arrested with me in New Orleans).
I found out that on that Sunday morning I had been doing 125 mph (55 mph was the speed limit at that time). This speeding was HIGHLY frowned upon in a small enclave called Chowchilla and because the local Judge had his
Sunday lunch disturbed by coming to the Courthouse to see ME, I got 7 days in the County Jail. It was an interesting experience as I was dressed like Don, in tight trousers, a gay shirt and platform boots - which went down a storm with prison staff and inmates. You can only imagine eh ?????
2nd time: Adelaide Australia 1973
Having driven back to hotel (pissed!!!!!!) with Status Quo and Don - we were coming back from a WILD drunken night club evening - I allegedly ???? found a laundry lift in the hotel big enough to drive into and parked the transit minibus on 13th floor.
This caused the evacuation of the hotel which I knew nothing about.
As Don and I were so drunk we slept through the evacuation (I was hiding in his room). ;)))))-
That incident cost me £2,500 to avoid jail. It is also 'a well known fact' that after most tours where I had worked very hard for 6 months, with only a few days off, I ended up owing the band money !!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
3rd time: New Orleans 1975
Drunk and disorderly fighting with club bouncers got me 3 days, a £2,000 fine and deported! However,
the FBI guy deporting me to the airport, after hearing my sob story about being a good guy but just a TWAT,
allowed me to spend another 7 days in US to finish the Aerosmith tour we were support act on.
Thank goodness for Chas. It was his connections (together with the band's support) that in Washington I was allowed back and eventually settled in Los Angeles for many years. I was in LA between 1984 - 1990 whist being tour manager for W.A.S.P (more about them later) !!!!!!.
Q. Did you ever get involved with the band when they were recording - at say the Olympic Studios in Barnes?
A. I am pleased to say I appeared on almost ALL Olympic recordings. I would be stomping on the stairwell when needed with Charlie and JJ, as we were a team of three at that time... plus of course Swinn. .
One of my early memories from Olympic Studios was on an early morning recording session. I was returning to the studio with the usual morning BIG plate of sarnies from the local caff. I had both hands full holding the big silver platter, and I bumped into a skinny little guy coming down the stairs who said: "Hey, they look delicious man" and helped himself to a handful! He laughed when I objected, responding: "you can't do anything without dropping the order" and walked off chuckling.
The little shit was only Mick Jagger who was also recording upstairs with Glyn Johns and Co.;)))))-
With recordings, I also sang the chorus with the crew on the Christmas single which was made in the USA during Summer 1973 ;)))-
I need to mention that when I was once visiting a Scottish friend, who was at the time a Vangelis roadie (John Martin, ex Poets keyboards) and I sang chorus for Jon and Vangelis on the 'Chariots Of Fire' album.
A. Which time are you talking about ??????? LOL
1st time: California 1974-ish.
I got 7 days for trying to beat the time it would have taken my flight (that was postponed) to travel from Fresno to San Francisco. I raced there in a rented Barracuda sports car as I had a HOT date with a girlfriend who worked for Bill Graham & Santana, as I got impatient with my planned flight getting cancelled???. I was accompanied by my regular room mate Ronnie Meadows (RIP) who was our American lighting designer. (He was also arrested with me in New Orleans).
I found out that on that Sunday morning I had been doing 125 mph (55 mph was the speed limit at that time). This speeding was HIGHLY frowned upon in a small enclave called Chowchilla and because the local Judge had his
Sunday lunch disturbed by coming to the Courthouse to see ME, I got 7 days in the County Jail. It was an interesting experience as I was dressed like Don, in tight trousers, a gay shirt and platform boots - which went down a storm with prison staff and inmates. You can only imagine eh ?????
2nd time: Adelaide Australia 1973
Having driven back to hotel (pissed!!!!!!) with Status Quo and Don - we were coming back from a WILD drunken night club evening - I allegedly ???? found a laundry lift in the hotel big enough to drive into and parked the transit minibus on 13th floor.
This caused the evacuation of the hotel which I knew nothing about.
As Don and I were so drunk we slept through the evacuation (I was hiding in his room). ;)))))-
That incident cost me £2,500 to avoid jail. It is also 'a well known fact' that after most tours where I had worked very hard for 6 months, with only a few days off, I ended up owing the band money !!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
3rd time: New Orleans 1975
Drunk and disorderly fighting with club bouncers got me 3 days, a £2,000 fine and deported! However,
the FBI guy deporting me to the airport, after hearing my sob story about being a good guy but just a TWAT,
allowed me to spend another 7 days in US to finish the Aerosmith tour we were support act on.
Thank goodness for Chas. It was his connections (together with the band's support) that in Washington I was allowed back and eventually settled in Los Angeles for many years. I was in LA between 1984 - 1990 whist being tour manager for W.A.S.P (more about them later) !!!!!!.
Q. Did you ever get involved with the band when they were recording - at say the Olympic Studios in Barnes?
A. I am pleased to say I appeared on almost ALL Olympic recordings. I would be stomping on the stairwell when needed with Charlie and JJ, as we were a team of three at that time... plus of course Swinn. .
One of my early memories from Olympic Studios was on an early morning recording session. I was returning to the studio with the usual morning BIG plate of sarnies from the local caff. I had both hands full holding the big silver platter, and I bumped into a skinny little guy coming down the stairs who said: "Hey, they look delicious man" and helped himself to a handful! He laughed when I objected, responding: "you can't do anything without dropping the order" and walked off chuckling.
The little shit was only Mick Jagger who was also recording upstairs with Glyn Johns and Co.;)))))-
With recordings, I also sang the chorus with the crew on the Christmas single which was made in the USA during Summer 1973 ;)))-
I need to mention that when I was once visiting a Scottish friend, who was at the time a Vangelis roadie (John Martin, ex Poets keyboards) and I sang chorus for Jon and Vangelis on the 'Chariots Of Fire' album.
Q. Slade In Flame. You feature in the movie where you enter the dressing room at the Hammersmith Palais, asking the band to go back on stage, and Jim smashes his guitar. How did your ‘acting’ debut come about?
A. The Writers of the movie had toured the USA with us and had written 'Hamish the Roadie' into the film and decided I could do the part myself (WRONG!) but I still made it onto the Silver screen despite being 'sacked' half way thru the filming after a drunken night in Sheffield with Don and a lovely chap called Redmond Morris???? He's now Lord Redmond Morris was from the House of Lords and was a great fella. Basically what happened was we caused chaos in the hotel bar and I ended up as the fall Guy! However, I returned to the Slade crew after the film was completed and attended the premiere at the Metropole cinema in London's Victoria.
Q. Is that you in the Flame movie too - holding the girl (Don super-fan Sue from Watford) back from getting onstage, in the Flame bomber jacket, and in the party scenes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton too?
A. YES I was also the earliest security man (unpaid) in Slade's career. They were too tight to hire someone for the movie so I got that gig as well as. In the movie I was also: driver of truck, drum roadie, stage manager and bouncer!
Q. Were you proud to work with Slade?
A. Slade were my life / dreams rolled into one and because of them I saw the world First Class and continue to do so ;)))-
I now spend a lot of time in Brazil and have a lovely girlfriend in Sao Paulo ;)- I was due to spend my 70th birthday there in June until Covid-19 and lockdown happened ;(-
Q. What was the biggest cock-up you made working with the band?
A. Getting arrested so often and losing my temper with Swinn when I quit the band in New York. Later, despite requests from Chas, Don and Nod, I refused to return - which I regret now. But life is full of twists and turns.
Q. Of the Slade band members, who did you socialise with the most ?
A. Don and Nod for sure, as H and Jim wouldn’t buy a drink ?????
This was because Jim didn’t socialise as he was married, and Dave just didn't mix with slobs like me (but I still love him)!
Also, at times, I shared Don's flat in Hampstead, London - so I saw lots of him. Nod was also a drinker and
smoker at that time, as was me and Swinn - so we used to hook up.
A. The Writers of the movie had toured the USA with us and had written 'Hamish the Roadie' into the film and decided I could do the part myself (WRONG!) but I still made it onto the Silver screen despite being 'sacked' half way thru the filming after a drunken night in Sheffield with Don and a lovely chap called Redmond Morris???? He's now Lord Redmond Morris was from the House of Lords and was a great fella. Basically what happened was we caused chaos in the hotel bar and I ended up as the fall Guy! However, I returned to the Slade crew after the film was completed and attended the premiere at the Metropole cinema in London's Victoria.
Q. Is that you in the Flame movie too - holding the girl (Don super-fan Sue from Watford) back from getting onstage, in the Flame bomber jacket, and in the party scenes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton too?
A. YES I was also the earliest security man (unpaid) in Slade's career. They were too tight to hire someone for the movie so I got that gig as well as. In the movie I was also: driver of truck, drum roadie, stage manager and bouncer!
Q. Were you proud to work with Slade?
A. Slade were my life / dreams rolled into one and because of them I saw the world First Class and continue to do so ;)))-
I now spend a lot of time in Brazil and have a lovely girlfriend in Sao Paulo ;)- I was due to spend my 70th birthday there in June until Covid-19 and lockdown happened ;(-
Q. What was the biggest cock-up you made working with the band?
A. Getting arrested so often and losing my temper with Swinn when I quit the band in New York. Later, despite requests from Chas, Don and Nod, I refused to return - which I regret now. But life is full of twists and turns.
Q. Of the Slade band members, who did you socialise with the most ?
A. Don and Nod for sure, as H and Jim wouldn’t buy a drink ?????
This was because Jim didn’t socialise as he was married, and Dave just didn't mix with slobs like me (but I still love him)!
Also, at times, I shared Don's flat in Hampstead, London - so I saw lots of him. Nod was also a drinker and
smoker at that time, as was me and Swinn - so we used to hook up.
Q. Who in the Slade road crew are you still in contact with?
A. I talk with Charlie and Boogie frequently and I attended JJ and Haden's sad funerals. Also passed away along with both of them is Ronnie Meadows who was the lighting director (for Slade, Bowie and Lou Reed). He died from cancer. He was one of me and Don's friends from New York who is now sadly gone. Also from the old days little Charlene Colon passed away many years ago (RIP) and my first US Girlfriend Mary Roache (RIP) recently both from cancer.
Q. Of the surviving Slade road crew, do you know what they are they up to now?
A. Charlie is retired from his electrical business and spending the millions he saved ;)))- I Hope. ;)-
Not sure If he still feeds mice to his beloved piranha fish?????
Boogie - ex lighting director / crew comedian is Rob Halford's 'No. 1 motor bike pusher' on Judas Priest tours and he
spent some years with Iron Maiden. He also is living the dream in Bournemouth with prudent investments made ;))))-
He still says the best years of his life wasn't actually working with Slade !!!!! It was The Nolans ;))))))))))))))-
Q. What did you get up to after leaving the Slade crew?
A. Well lots of craziness continued.
1st job: Drum roadie for Phil Collins on 'Trick of the Tail' Genesis rehearsals and album recordings, made at Trident studios.
2nd job: Production Manager Peter Gabriel / Solsbury Hill UK Tour.
3rd job: Various jobs as Production Manager for Mel Bush / Harvey Goldsmith -
Led Zeppelin's last indoor shows at Earls Court.
Elton John / Beach Boys and Eagles at Wembley.
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at Wembley.
Be Bop Deluxe / Production Manager .
Kim Wilde first tour / Tour Manager.
Pasadenas / Tour Manager
Japan band / Tour Manager
1976 Tour Manager for Arlyn Gale / Mike Appel (Springsteen's original mentor / manager)
1977 - 1979 Managed Eric Burdon - now that choice was probably the BIGGEST mistake I ever made !!!!!
1979 - 1983 Nomis Studios / Japan Tour Manager then General Manager at Nomis, London.
Also in '79 I helped design and then managed Nomis Studios in Sheperd's Bush which I development and managed with Simon Napier Bell and Richard Chadwick (Wham / Japan) who remains a best pal and now manages John Paul Jones.
1983 - 1990 Tour Manager in Los Angeles Sanctuary Office - W.A.S.P. / Human League
Tour Manager / Richard Marx / Left Bank Management LA / Kovac Brothers.
1990 onwards with Harvey Goldsmith: Live Aid at Wembley and Pavarotti L8 at Hyde Park
I worked on Formula 1 Comes to Regent Street in London.
Black Eye Peas at Rio De Janeiro (850,000 attendance, New Years Eve 2006)
Numerous Bruce Springsteen UK Tours promoted by Harvey.
Pink Floyd Tour.
In 1990 I also then built a very successful Pit Barrier business WHICH I introduced to the UK.
I then owned a security company I set up for Olympic Games 2012 and sold in 2015 (www.accessriskcontrol.com)
Q. Finally, any more ‘fast living, high drinking’ stories you’d like to add?
A. NO, YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH FOR OUR FIRST CHAT! Thanks so much mate - hope this helps Dave. I look forward to continued contact.
Webmaster: I asked if Robbie had any memorabilia or photos of himself from the 'Slade period' ?
Robbie said he has few photos but maybe some roadie stuff. He said he'd do some searching when Covid-19 passes.
He is presently in Scotland where he has a house and that is where he is staying during lockdown - he was there when the virus broke. He normally lives in his flat in Iver Heath, London
A. I talk with Charlie and Boogie frequently and I attended JJ and Haden's sad funerals. Also passed away along with both of them is Ronnie Meadows who was the lighting director (for Slade, Bowie and Lou Reed). He died from cancer. He was one of me and Don's friends from New York who is now sadly gone. Also from the old days little Charlene Colon passed away many years ago (RIP) and my first US Girlfriend Mary Roache (RIP) recently both from cancer.
Q. Of the surviving Slade road crew, do you know what they are they up to now?
A. Charlie is retired from his electrical business and spending the millions he saved ;)))- I Hope. ;)-
Not sure If he still feeds mice to his beloved piranha fish?????
Boogie - ex lighting director / crew comedian is Rob Halford's 'No. 1 motor bike pusher' on Judas Priest tours and he
spent some years with Iron Maiden. He also is living the dream in Bournemouth with prudent investments made ;))))-
He still says the best years of his life wasn't actually working with Slade !!!!! It was The Nolans ;))))))))))))))-
Q. What did you get up to after leaving the Slade crew?
A. Well lots of craziness continued.
1st job: Drum roadie for Phil Collins on 'Trick of the Tail' Genesis rehearsals and album recordings, made at Trident studios.
2nd job: Production Manager Peter Gabriel / Solsbury Hill UK Tour.
3rd job: Various jobs as Production Manager for Mel Bush / Harvey Goldsmith -
Led Zeppelin's last indoor shows at Earls Court.
Elton John / Beach Boys and Eagles at Wembley.
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at Wembley.
Be Bop Deluxe / Production Manager .
Kim Wilde first tour / Tour Manager.
Pasadenas / Tour Manager
Japan band / Tour Manager
1976 Tour Manager for Arlyn Gale / Mike Appel (Springsteen's original mentor / manager)
1977 - 1979 Managed Eric Burdon - now that choice was probably the BIGGEST mistake I ever made !!!!!
1979 - 1983 Nomis Studios / Japan Tour Manager then General Manager at Nomis, London.
Also in '79 I helped design and then managed Nomis Studios in Sheperd's Bush which I development and managed with Simon Napier Bell and Richard Chadwick (Wham / Japan) who remains a best pal and now manages John Paul Jones.
1983 - 1990 Tour Manager in Los Angeles Sanctuary Office - W.A.S.P. / Human League
Tour Manager / Richard Marx / Left Bank Management LA / Kovac Brothers.
1990 onwards with Harvey Goldsmith: Live Aid at Wembley and Pavarotti L8 at Hyde Park
I worked on Formula 1 Comes to Regent Street in London.
Black Eye Peas at Rio De Janeiro (850,000 attendance, New Years Eve 2006)
Numerous Bruce Springsteen UK Tours promoted by Harvey.
Pink Floyd Tour.
In 1990 I also then built a very successful Pit Barrier business WHICH I introduced to the UK.
I then owned a security company I set up for Olympic Games 2012 and sold in 2015 (www.accessriskcontrol.com)
Q. Finally, any more ‘fast living, high drinking’ stories you’d like to add?
A. NO, YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH FOR OUR FIRST CHAT! Thanks so much mate - hope this helps Dave. I look forward to continued contact.
Webmaster: I asked if Robbie had any memorabilia or photos of himself from the 'Slade period' ?
Robbie said he has few photos but maybe some roadie stuff. He said he'd do some searching when Covid-19 passes.
He is presently in Scotland where he has a house and that is where he is staying during lockdown - he was there when the virus broke. He normally lives in his flat in Iver Heath, London
Slade & Bunny Tour 1975
Thanks to Terry McCusker - who was in the band Bunny when they supported Slade on their 1975 UK Tour... His only souvenir from those shows is the high tech 'Tour Agenda' pack exhibited above - which is incorrectly labelled '1974'! Thanks Terry.
Don wishes Brian May a quick recovery
Saturday 9th May 2020 - Don was sorry to hear that his friend Brian May was in hospital after tearing his buttock muscle 'to shreds' after gardening - leaving him in severe pain and unable to walk.
Don emailed Brian "Hi Brian mate, someone just passed me the news about your garden injury (heavy metal). Wishing you a speedy recovery."
Brian responded "Bless ya Don!! Thanks - a little exercise in pain management for me!! Take care. Stay safe. Bri"
Don emailed Brian "Hi Brian mate, someone just passed me the news about your garden injury (heavy metal). Wishing you a speedy recovery."
Brian responded "Bless ya Don!! Thanks - a little exercise in pain management for me!! Take care. Stay safe. Bri"
Don, Macca and Linda
Wednesday 6th May 2020
Don forwarded this pic of him with Paul and Linda McCartney to webmaster to post on the website.
"Hi - just found this photo of you know who, it was taken at an Abbey Rd Studio celebration for people who had had No. ! singles. I thought I'd share it again with readers of my website.
It was taken in the ‘80’s….. At the event there were NO cameras allowed BUT I secretly took mine and got someone to take this photo quickly hence the not very good quality. However, it's a treasured memory of me meeting one of my idols."
Don forwarded this pic of him with Paul and Linda McCartney to webmaster to post on the website.
"Hi - just found this photo of you know who, it was taken at an Abbey Rd Studio celebration for people who had had No. ! singles. I thought I'd share it again with readers of my website.
It was taken in the ‘80’s….. At the event there were NO cameras allowed BUT I secretly took mine and got someone to take this photo quickly hence the not very good quality. However, it's a treasured memory of me meeting one of my idols."
'N Betweens pic from 1966 emerges from Russia...
Friday 1st May 2020
Don was thrilled to see the above pic that was posted by a Russian fan on the 'Slade' Facebook Group today.
Don reckons that the pic was taken late 1966 - and it's of the 'N Betweens rehearsing at St Giles Youth Club in Willenhall. He thinks that the pic was taken late in the year as he remembers travelling to London with Nod to purchase the Fender Telecaster he was using in the pic. Nod bought it for £120 - and he wanted it as Steve Winwood had one!
Amazing how these old pics sometimes turn up out of nowhere.
Don was thrilled to see the above pic that was posted by a Russian fan on the 'Slade' Facebook Group today.
Don reckons that the pic was taken late 1966 - and it's of the 'N Betweens rehearsing at St Giles Youth Club in Willenhall. He thinks that the pic was taken late in the year as he remembers travelling to London with Nod to purchase the Fender Telecaster he was using in the pic. Nod bought it for £120 - and he wanted it as Steve Winwood had one!
Amazing how these old pics sometimes turn up out of nowhere.
Don's Glam Rock Top Five
Thursday 30th April 2020
Don yesterday announced his all time Glam Rock Top Five.
His choices were as follows:
Get It On - T.Rex
See My Baby Jive - Wizzard
Without You - Nilsson
All The Young Dudes - Mott The Hoople
Schools Out - Alice Cooper
After selecting his choices Don noticed that ex-band mate Jim Lea had also made his.... and that strangely they had both chosen two of the same songs: 'Schools Out' and 'All The Young Dudes'. How strange!
Don yesterday announced his all time Glam Rock Top Five.
His choices were as follows:
Get It On - T.Rex
See My Baby Jive - Wizzard
Without You - Nilsson
All The Young Dudes - Mott The Hoople
Schools Out - Alice Cooper
After selecting his choices Don noticed that ex-band mate Jim Lea had also made his.... and that strangely they had both chosen two of the same songs: 'Schools Out' and 'All The Young Dudes'. How strange!
Don's message
Monday 27th April 2020
Just to let you know, we are waiting for final confirmation regarding three UK gigs that are being planned for December this year - which will have Don joining the Ex Men.
In the meantime Don has been asked about his 'Don Powell's Slade' venture. After Don's stroke earlier in the year, medics advised Don to be careful with stress in the future. On that basis he has decided not to continue his version of Slade and to join the Ex Men as drummer instead.
Just to let you know, we are waiting for final confirmation regarding three UK gigs that are being planned for December this year - which will have Don joining the Ex Men.
In the meantime Don has been asked about his 'Don Powell's Slade' venture. After Don's stroke earlier in the year, medics advised Don to be careful with stress in the future. On that basis he has decided not to continue his version of Slade and to join the Ex Men as drummer instead.
Early Memories
During the Covid-19 pandemic Don has been in touch with Kenneth Hooper - who played in the Midlands band the Ramrods. Don went to see the band perform at the Birmingham Mail 'Stars of Tomorrow' competition, when he was just 14, at Bingley Hall in Birmingham in 1961. Seeing them perform was one of the reasons that Don wanted to play drums for a band.
The Ex Men - Dates and Recording of an EP
Thursday 16th April 2020
More news about Don playing with The Ex Men...
The band's manager Peter Barton has today contacted the website to advise that gig news will be following shortly..
Some UK dates in December are just being finalised - and it's hopeful that they will be announced in the next few days (so watch this space). Tickets should be on sale imminently, so as to give fans something to look forward to over the Christmas period.
ALSO The Ex Men are being booked in for a recording session at the start of 2021. They will be recording new, original material, for an EP release in the Spring.
More news about Don playing with The Ex Men...
The band's manager Peter Barton has today contacted the website to advise that gig news will be following shortly..
Some UK dates in December are just being finalised - and it's hopeful that they will be announced in the next few days (so watch this space). Tickets should be on sale imminently, so as to give fans something to look forward to over the Christmas period.
ALSO The Ex Men are being booked in for a recording session at the start of 2021. They will be recording new, original material, for an EP release in the Spring.
Press announcement - Don to join The Ex Men
Wednesday 15th April 2020
Major announcement. Don's is recovering really well from his stroke earlier in the year. He is currently keeping fit by doing a lot of walking around where he lives in Denmark - as his usual daily gym sessions can't continue as his gym is currently shut (coronavirus).
However, he has an exciting announcement. He will soon be joining the band The Ex Men. Don will meet up with the guys as soon as he can fly to the UK and start rehearsals. Gigs with them will commence in the autumn - and they are being booked now for the UK and other territories.
Look out for further announcements along the way. We're sure that all fans will be so pleased to see Don back where he belongs - behind a drum kit - and will support his new venture!
In the meantime here's the press release that has just been issued:
DON POWELL TO JOIN THE EX MEN
Slade was without doubt the ultimate English Rock band.
They had all the right ingredients. Noddy Holder was - and still is - one of the most powerful and unique voices in the business and with Jim Lea - a phenomenal musician - together the Holder/Lea partnership wrote some of the biggest selling songs in British Rock and Roll History. Add Don Powell as the foundation block and powerhouse along with the outrageously dressed Dave Hill - and you have the perfect recipe for Domination.
The band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966. They rose to prominence during the Glam Rock era of the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six Number Ones on the UK Singles Chart alone. The British Hit Singles & Albums names them the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles. They were the first act to have three singles enter the charts at Number One. All six of the band's chart-toppers were penned by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea. Their best-selling single, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’, sold millions. According to the BBC in 1999, Slade sold over 50 million records worldwide.
All good things usually come to an end and in 1992, Noddy Holder and Jim Lea having had enough of touring, decided to leave the band.
Don Powell and Dave Hill couldn’t let the band stop so carried on their partnership initially as Slade II, then with Noddy’s blessing, as Slade. Sadly, Slade disbanded in January 2020.
Now a new era has dawned. Don Powell has teamed up with a Very Merry band of musicians hailing from various impressive rock and roll backgrounds to deliver an action-packed, hit-performing unit spanning the decades.
The new band are aptly called The Ex Men and include:
DON POWELL – Drums. Founding member of Slade achieving millions of record sales globally. Without doubt one of the finest British Rock drummers of all time. In more recent times, Don has performed as part of Don Powell’s Occasional Flames and has also recorded and performed as part of QSP – alongside Andy Scott of The Sweet and Suzi Quatro.
PETER BARTON – Vocals/Guitar. Pete enjoyed touring the World as lead vocalist and bass player with Original 1960’s Animals members John Steel, Dave Rowberry and Mick Gallagher. Belting out hits like ‘House of The Rising Sun’, ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’, ‘We Gotta Get Out of This Place’ plus many more. Originally taking to the stage in 1977. Over the decade Peter had the pleasure of performing in the same band with the likes of Steve Cropper, Mick Green, Spencer Davis, Noel Redding plus many more. Pete first met Don Powell when he was invited by Len Tuckey (Slade II Manager) to audition for Slade II in the early 1990’s. Ultimately, it was Steve Whalley who filled that role successfully for many years.
BILL HURD – Guitar/ Keyboards. Bill is one of the founding members of International Chart Toppers, The Rubettes. Bill enjoyed amazing success and number one records all over the World including ‘Sugar Baby Love’, ‘Juke Box Jive’, ‘I Can Do It’ and many more. Bill has continued to perform the Rubettes’ classics all all over the World to this day and joins The Ex Men as a very special guest for the ‘Merry Christmas Everybody Tour 2020’.
GRAHAM POLLOCK – Guitar Vocals. Graham hails from the late 1960’s Glaswegian music scene. Performing on the same circuit as Marmalade, SAHB, Maggie Bell and many more. Over the years he has been acknowledged as one of the great guitar sidemen. Gracing the stage as guitarist with the Bay City Rollers, alongside Eric Faulkner, he spent over 20 years touring the World as guitarist and vocalist with original Hollies founder Eric Haydock performing all the great songs including ‘I’m Alive’, ‘Just One Look’, ‘The Air That I Breathe’ and ‘Bus Stop’ to name just a few. He also enjoyed success playing with original Kinks founder member Mick Avory and former Tremeloes front man Chip Hawkes. Graham is one of the founders of The Ex Men.
GEOFF HAMMOND – Percussion/Vocals – Geoff has been performing since the mid 1960’s. He spent time as the drummer with founding Move guitarist Trevor Burton playing ‘Night of Fear’, ‘Blackberry Way’, ‘I Can Hear the Grass Grow’, ‘Flowers in The Rain’ and other classics. He later went on to join former Moody Blues and Wings original Denny Laine, once again performing all the classics including ‘Band on The Run’, ‘Mull of Kintyre’, ‘Go Now, ‘Jet’ and more. Back in the 1990’s Geoff reformed Lieutenant Pigeon alongside founding member Steve Johnson and again toured the World. Also, back in the 1990’s Geoff formed the CCR band Revived alongside Peter Barton and has had major success touring the songs of John Fogerty.
ALAN SAGAR – Bass/Vocals – Last but by no means least. One of the most sought-after session bass players on the planet. Over the years Alan has also had the pleasure of performing with some great heritage music names, including original Thin Lizzy founder Eric Bell playing the global hit ‘Whiskey in The Jar’ and more recently, was asked by Scottish Celtic Rock Band Big Country to join the band to play a series of concerts as their bass player including the Giants of Rock Festival and Celtic Connections at Barrowlands in Glasgow.
Collectively, THE EX MEN have played to millions of people over the years and have performed some of the biggest songs in British Music.
NOW in the fall of 2020 amidst all the chaos in the World today, these six musicians will give you the ultimate Rocking Christmas show EVER with ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ - highlighting everybody’s career to date
Guaranteed to Bring the House Down!
For more information please contact Dave Hill at Tenacity.
Management: Peter Barton Management
Major announcement. Don's is recovering really well from his stroke earlier in the year. He is currently keeping fit by doing a lot of walking around where he lives in Denmark - as his usual daily gym sessions can't continue as his gym is currently shut (coronavirus).
However, he has an exciting announcement. He will soon be joining the band The Ex Men. Don will meet up with the guys as soon as he can fly to the UK and start rehearsals. Gigs with them will commence in the autumn - and they are being booked now for the UK and other territories.
Look out for further announcements along the way. We're sure that all fans will be so pleased to see Don back where he belongs - behind a drum kit - and will support his new venture!
In the meantime here's the press release that has just been issued:
DON POWELL TO JOIN THE EX MEN
Slade was without doubt the ultimate English Rock band.
They had all the right ingredients. Noddy Holder was - and still is - one of the most powerful and unique voices in the business and with Jim Lea - a phenomenal musician - together the Holder/Lea partnership wrote some of the biggest selling songs in British Rock and Roll History. Add Don Powell as the foundation block and powerhouse along with the outrageously dressed Dave Hill - and you have the perfect recipe for Domination.
The band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966. They rose to prominence during the Glam Rock era of the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six Number Ones on the UK Singles Chart alone. The British Hit Singles & Albums names them the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles. They were the first act to have three singles enter the charts at Number One. All six of the band's chart-toppers were penned by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea. Their best-selling single, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’, sold millions. According to the BBC in 1999, Slade sold over 50 million records worldwide.
All good things usually come to an end and in 1992, Noddy Holder and Jim Lea having had enough of touring, decided to leave the band.
Don Powell and Dave Hill couldn’t let the band stop so carried on their partnership initially as Slade II, then with Noddy’s blessing, as Slade. Sadly, Slade disbanded in January 2020.
Now a new era has dawned. Don Powell has teamed up with a Very Merry band of musicians hailing from various impressive rock and roll backgrounds to deliver an action-packed, hit-performing unit spanning the decades.
The new band are aptly called The Ex Men and include:
DON POWELL – Drums. Founding member of Slade achieving millions of record sales globally. Without doubt one of the finest British Rock drummers of all time. In more recent times, Don has performed as part of Don Powell’s Occasional Flames and has also recorded and performed as part of QSP – alongside Andy Scott of The Sweet and Suzi Quatro.
PETER BARTON – Vocals/Guitar. Pete enjoyed touring the World as lead vocalist and bass player with Original 1960’s Animals members John Steel, Dave Rowberry and Mick Gallagher. Belting out hits like ‘House of The Rising Sun’, ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’, ‘We Gotta Get Out of This Place’ plus many more. Originally taking to the stage in 1977. Over the decade Peter had the pleasure of performing in the same band with the likes of Steve Cropper, Mick Green, Spencer Davis, Noel Redding plus many more. Pete first met Don Powell when he was invited by Len Tuckey (Slade II Manager) to audition for Slade II in the early 1990’s. Ultimately, it was Steve Whalley who filled that role successfully for many years.
BILL HURD – Guitar/ Keyboards. Bill is one of the founding members of International Chart Toppers, The Rubettes. Bill enjoyed amazing success and number one records all over the World including ‘Sugar Baby Love’, ‘Juke Box Jive’, ‘I Can Do It’ and many more. Bill has continued to perform the Rubettes’ classics all all over the World to this day and joins The Ex Men as a very special guest for the ‘Merry Christmas Everybody Tour 2020’.
GRAHAM POLLOCK – Guitar Vocals. Graham hails from the late 1960’s Glaswegian music scene. Performing on the same circuit as Marmalade, SAHB, Maggie Bell and many more. Over the years he has been acknowledged as one of the great guitar sidemen. Gracing the stage as guitarist with the Bay City Rollers, alongside Eric Faulkner, he spent over 20 years touring the World as guitarist and vocalist with original Hollies founder Eric Haydock performing all the great songs including ‘I’m Alive’, ‘Just One Look’, ‘The Air That I Breathe’ and ‘Bus Stop’ to name just a few. He also enjoyed success playing with original Kinks founder member Mick Avory and former Tremeloes front man Chip Hawkes. Graham is one of the founders of The Ex Men.
GEOFF HAMMOND – Percussion/Vocals – Geoff has been performing since the mid 1960’s. He spent time as the drummer with founding Move guitarist Trevor Burton playing ‘Night of Fear’, ‘Blackberry Way’, ‘I Can Hear the Grass Grow’, ‘Flowers in The Rain’ and other classics. He later went on to join former Moody Blues and Wings original Denny Laine, once again performing all the classics including ‘Band on The Run’, ‘Mull of Kintyre’, ‘Go Now, ‘Jet’ and more. Back in the 1990’s Geoff reformed Lieutenant Pigeon alongside founding member Steve Johnson and again toured the World. Also, back in the 1990’s Geoff formed the CCR band Revived alongside Peter Barton and has had major success touring the songs of John Fogerty.
ALAN SAGAR – Bass/Vocals – Last but by no means least. One of the most sought-after session bass players on the planet. Over the years Alan has also had the pleasure of performing with some great heritage music names, including original Thin Lizzy founder Eric Bell playing the global hit ‘Whiskey in The Jar’ and more recently, was asked by Scottish Celtic Rock Band Big Country to join the band to play a series of concerts as their bass player including the Giants of Rock Festival and Celtic Connections at Barrowlands in Glasgow.
Collectively, THE EX MEN have played to millions of people over the years and have performed some of the biggest songs in British Music.
NOW in the fall of 2020 amidst all the chaos in the World today, these six musicians will give you the ultimate Rocking Christmas show EVER with ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ - highlighting everybody’s career to date
Guaranteed to Bring the House Down!
For more information please contact Dave Hill at Tenacity.
Management: Peter Barton Management
Finally the truth about Led Zep attending the Slade show in Dallas...
Don was grateful to receive the attached email from Steve Holmes - who attended the Peter Frampton's Camel / Slade show at the Majestic Theater in Dallas in 1973. Don wrote about the show in his book 'Look Wot I Dun' - but it seems that he got his facts wrong....
Hi Don
I just joined the Set List.fm website and was reminiscing about old times. One of the many shows in Dallas I attended in the 70’s was the Frampton’s Camel / Slade show at the Majestic Theater in Dallas on 19 May 1973... See if you remember this one?
This was the night after Zeppelin played Dallas.
Your show was a general admission show, I was center stage about 7 or 8 rows back. The theater had opera seats both sides of the stage about 15 / 20 feet high. Stage right opera seats were occupied by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. Stage left were occupied by John Paul Jones and John Bonham. Frampton's Camel opened, Zep listened respectfully. During the Slade set, Plant was making out with some groupie chick, and Page entertained himself by throwing farm produce at Noddy... cabbages, tomatoes, anything messy!
Laughter from Noddy, curses and fist shakes from the roadies. An unforgettable night! Slade was great fun, I think the sideshow, for the fans at least, added to it all.
Anyway, hope you get this, and thanks for all the extra work you were forced to do that night!
Best Regards, Steve Holmes
Don responded:
Hi Steve.
Many thanks for your mail mate.
You’ve cleared something up for me!. I remember that incident very well. BUT, I always assumed it was Bonham who threw the fruit & veg at us!
Bonham invited us all to his hotel suite after the show, he got totally out of it....
Don
Hi Don
I just joined the Set List.fm website and was reminiscing about old times. One of the many shows in Dallas I attended in the 70’s was the Frampton’s Camel / Slade show at the Majestic Theater in Dallas on 19 May 1973... See if you remember this one?
This was the night after Zeppelin played Dallas.
Your show was a general admission show, I was center stage about 7 or 8 rows back. The theater had opera seats both sides of the stage about 15 / 20 feet high. Stage right opera seats were occupied by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. Stage left were occupied by John Paul Jones and John Bonham. Frampton's Camel opened, Zep listened respectfully. During the Slade set, Plant was making out with some groupie chick, and Page entertained himself by throwing farm produce at Noddy... cabbages, tomatoes, anything messy!
Laughter from Noddy, curses and fist shakes from the roadies. An unforgettable night! Slade was great fun, I think the sideshow, for the fans at least, added to it all.
Anyway, hope you get this, and thanks for all the extra work you were forced to do that night!
Best Regards, Steve Holmes
Don responded:
Hi Steve.
Many thanks for your mail mate.
You’ve cleared something up for me!. I remember that incident very well. BUT, I always assumed it was Bonham who threw the fruit & veg at us!
Bonham invited us all to his hotel suite after the show, he got totally out of it....
Don
Don urges fans and friends to stay safe
Don has messaged webmaster today with a message for all the fans...
"Well the corona virus thing hasn't really hit home over here in Silkeborg, Denmark yet. How are things in the UK? No panic buying here yet either - but sure that it'll happen here soon... Hanne and myself however have been in total isolation for a week now. I'm ok with it. Actually enjoying the peace of it.
We have been having occasional walks together through the forests, it's been really relaxing.
In our house we have a freezer that is always fairly full - so no problems with food in our house. Added to that we have loads of DVDs, as you know, and Netflix to keep us busy. We have heard that one of our friends in the UK has just had a major op - and we're sending our love to him for a quick recovery (you know who you are).
Just to let you know I'm still accessible to my friends online - I've been answering loads of emails from people!
Please everyone reading this stay safe... Oh! Just been through some cupboards and found lots of chocolate!
Stay safe everyone. Love Don XXXXXX"
"Well the corona virus thing hasn't really hit home over here in Silkeborg, Denmark yet. How are things in the UK? No panic buying here yet either - but sure that it'll happen here soon... Hanne and myself however have been in total isolation for a week now. I'm ok with it. Actually enjoying the peace of it.
We have been having occasional walks together through the forests, it's been really relaxing.
In our house we have a freezer that is always fairly full - so no problems with food in our house. Added to that we have loads of DVDs, as you know, and Netflix to keep us busy. We have heard that one of our friends in the UK has just had a major op - and we're sending our love to him for a quick recovery (you know who you are).
Just to let you know I'm still accessible to my friends online - I've been answering loads of emails from people!
Please everyone reading this stay safe... Oh! Just been through some cupboards and found lots of chocolate!
Stay safe everyone. Love Don XXXXXX"
Wednesday's Update from Don
Wednesday 4th March 2020
UPDATE FROM DON
"Hi Webmaster!
Letting you know that I had all of my 'stickers' off today and the reading monitor is being sent off for analysis.
More hospital treatment later this week BUT in all things are looking really great.
Let everyone know I'm overwhelmed at all the 'get well soon' messages.
I will be answering all the 'get well' emails I promise!
Many thanks
Don XXXXXX'
UPDATE FROM DON
"Hi Webmaster!
Letting you know that I had all of my 'stickers' off today and the reading monitor is being sent off for analysis.
More hospital treatment later this week BUT in all things are looking really great.
Let everyone know I'm overwhelmed at all the 'get well soon' messages.
I will be answering all the 'get well' emails I promise!
Many thanks
Don XXXXXX'
Don has a stroke - but is doing ok
Official Statement
Sunday 1st March 2020
Unfortunately Don had a stroke on Saturday (29th February) morning. Luckily his step-daughter Emilie, who is a doctor, was at his house in Denmark when it happened and knew what to do straight away and called an ambulance.
Don's wife Hanne has sent an update to his website saying:
"On Sunday afternoon I picked Don up from the hospital.
He will be monitored from home until Wednesday afternoon as it is less stressful for him to be at home, and that is important at the moment.
The MRI and CT scan results shows two blood clots in the left frontal lobe, and he is now on medication.
There is a narrowing on his artery on his neck so we will know in a few days if he will need an operation. The scan results are sent to the cardiology surgeons to decide.
Don is tired but in good spirits and he is happy that he can use/feel his right arm and leg again.
So we are all very relieved and thankful."
We're sure every one of Don's fans will appreciate the photo of him smiling despite having such a health upset.
'N Between Memories
Sunday 23 February 2020 - Don was thrilled to receive an email from original 'N Between member Mick Marson's cousin John Hughes. His father took the photos (below) in the early days of the 'N Betweens. Many thanks to John for sending in these photos.
Photo 1: 'N Betweens members Johnny Howells (Singer and Harmonica). Don and Mick Marson (rhythm guitar) in Darlaston. Don thin ks he was 15/16 at the time.
Photo 2: 'N Betweens members Mick Marson and Dave 'Cass' Jones (Bass)
Photo 3: 'N Betweens member Mick Marson
Photos copyright of John Hughes
Photo 1: 'N Betweens members Johnny Howells (Singer and Harmonica). Don and Mick Marson (rhythm guitar) in Darlaston. Don thin ks he was 15/16 at the time.
Photo 2: 'N Betweens members Mick Marson and Dave 'Cass' Jones (Bass)
Photo 3: 'N Betweens member Mick Marson
Photos copyright of John Hughes
