Don's 1977 Diary
BACKGROUND
1977 - Don had returned to the UK in late 1976. He was now living in his ground floor flat in Platts Lane, London, NW3. He purchased the flat after filming Flame. It was close to Central London, but also just a few minutes drive from the start of the M1 (route back to the Midlands).
1977 - Don had returned to the UK in late 1976. He was now living in his ground floor flat in Platts Lane, London, NW3. He purchased the flat after filming Flame. It was close to Central London, but also just a few minutes drive from the start of the M1 (route back to the Midlands).
January 12th 1977:
Swinn, ‘H’ and myself drove to TV studio to rehearse for ‘Supersonic’.... Nod & myself did an interview with Sally James. We played ‘live’ on the show and it was great..... we all said that we should play live on all TV shows. (Slade performed Gypsy Roadhog and Mama Weer All Crazee Now).
Swinn, ‘H’ and myself drove to TV studio to rehearse for ‘Supersonic’.... Nod & myself did an interview with Sally James. We played ‘live’ on the show and it was great..... we all said that we should play live on all TV shows. (Slade performed Gypsy Roadhog and Mama Weer All Crazee Now).
January 13th 1977:
I picked Jim up for photograph session nearby to the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park. Gererd Mankowitz took the pics. Went to the office (Chas's office - 49 Upper Montagu St, W1) to go over the album cover.... Did ‘The Dave Lee Travis Show’ on Radio One.
I picked Jim up for photograph session nearby to the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park. Gererd Mankowitz took the pics. Went to the office (Chas's office - 49 Upper Montagu St, W1) to go over the album cover.... Did ‘The Dave Lee Travis Show’ on Radio One.
January 15th 1977:
Spent all day recording at De Lane Lea Studios (Dean St, London, W1)
January 17th 1977:
‘H’ stayed at my place last night - we got ready to go and record ‘Blue Peter’ (Gypsy Roadhog).
Spent all day recording at De Lane Lea Studios (Dean St, London, W1)
January 17th 1977:
‘H’ stayed at my place last night - we got ready to go and record ‘Blue Peter’ (Gypsy Roadhog).
January 18th 1977:
Spent most of the day with Gererd Mankowitz going over the album cover. Went to De Lane Lea studios, didn’t have to record the backing track ????
January 19th 1977:
Spent the day recording T.O.T.P.’s (at BBC TV Centre, Wood Lane) - performed Gypsy Roadhog..... Swinn and myself spent the night at the ‘Speakeasy’ club. Roger Holt from Polydor was also there - he picked up our bill!
Spent most of the day with Gererd Mankowitz going over the album cover. Went to De Lane Lea studios, didn’t have to record the backing track ????
January 19th 1977:
Spent the day recording T.O.T.P.’s (at BBC TV Centre, Wood Lane) - performed Gypsy Roadhog..... Swinn and myself spent the night at the ‘Speakeasy’ club. Roger Holt from Polydor was also there - he picked up our bill!
January 26th 1977:
Spent all day in the studios (Advision) recording ‘Ready Steady Kids’
January 27th 1977:
Spent all day at Advision again.
February 11th 1977:
Eric Burdon rang to go for a drink - spent the night at Steele's (The Sir Richard Steeles pub in) in Haverstock Hill.
Spent all day in the studios (Advision) recording ‘Ready Steady Kids’
January 27th 1977:
Spent all day at Advision again.
February 11th 1977:
Eric Burdon rang to go for a drink - spent the night at Steele's (The Sir Richard Steeles pub in) in Haverstock Hill.
February 21st 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing the new album
February 23rd 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing.
February 24th 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing Swinn & myself then raced to London as we had tickets to see ‘Manhattan Transfer’ (New Victoria Theatre, London).
March 2nd 1977:
Spent all day at Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre rehearsing
March 3rd 1977:
Rehearsed all day..
Sunday March 6th 1977:
The bloke from next door came round to complain about my stereo.
March 14th 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing in Cannock.
March 15th 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing
March 16th 1977:
Spent the day at ‘Trident Studios’ playing the Whatever Happened To Slade album to the press... NOT GOOD, ?
March 17th 1977:
Spent the day recording ‘Heat Of Love’ ( Burning.?)
Spent all day rehearsing the new album
February 23rd 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing.
February 24th 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing Swinn & myself then raced to London as we had tickets to see ‘Manhattan Transfer’ (New Victoria Theatre, London).
March 2nd 1977:
Spent all day at Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre rehearsing
March 3rd 1977:
Rehearsed all day..
Sunday March 6th 1977:
The bloke from next door came round to complain about my stereo.
March 14th 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing in Cannock.
March 15th 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing
March 16th 1977:
Spent the day at ‘Trident Studios’ playing the Whatever Happened To Slade album to the press... NOT GOOD, ?
March 17th 1977:
Spent the day recording ‘Heat Of Love’ ( Burning.?)
March 21st 1977:
Spent all day mixing the single.
March 22nd 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing.
March 23rd 1977:
Rehearsed.
March 24th 1977:
Rehearsed.
March 26th 1977:
Went to see Be Bop Deluxe in concert at Hammersmith Odeon.
March 28th 1977:
Nod and myself flew to Glasgow for radio and press and to see ‘Paice, Ashton & Lord’ in concert (Newcastle) - had a drink with them all after the show.
Spent all day mixing the single.
March 22nd 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing.
March 23rd 1977:
Rehearsed.
March 24th 1977:
Rehearsed.
March 26th 1977:
Went to see Be Bop Deluxe in concert at Hammersmith Odeon.
March 28th 1977:
Nod and myself flew to Glasgow for radio and press and to see ‘Paice, Ashton & Lord’ in concert (Newcastle) - had a drink with them all after the show.
March 29th 1977:
Nod and myself spent all day doing promotion.
March 30th 1977:
Did a radio show then drove to Leeds for a TV show - then Manchester for more radio...
March 31st 1977:
Did radio show in Liverpool on the Billy Butler Show (Radio City).
(A poor copy of the Nod and Don interview - where Nod does most of the talking - can be heard below. The quality improves after 08.15).
Nod and myself spent all day doing promotion.
March 30th 1977:
Did a radio show then drove to Leeds for a TV show - then Manchester for more radio...
March 31st 1977:
Did radio show in Liverpool on the Billy Butler Show (Radio City).
(A poor copy of the Nod and Don interview - where Nod does most of the talking - can be heard below. The quality improves after 08.15).
April 1st 1977:
Nod and myself spent the day doing radio interviews in London.
April 4th 1977:
Spent all day at Manticore Studios rehearsing.
April 5th 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing - Chas came to listen.
April 6th 1977:
Rehearsed all day.
April 7th 1977:
Rehearsed all day.
April 8th 1977:
Rehearsed all day.
April 12th 1977:
Nod and myself spent the day in Ipswich doing radio interviews.
April 14th 1977:
Flew to Norway.
Did press - Nod, Chas and myself drank with the Oslo promoter at his house until 06:00am - met Julie Felix.
April 15th 1977:
Played in Oslo.
Nod and myself spent the day doing radio interviews in London.
April 4th 1977:
Spent all day at Manticore Studios rehearsing.
April 5th 1977:
Spent all day rehearsing - Chas came to listen.
April 6th 1977:
Rehearsed all day.
April 7th 1977:
Rehearsed all day.
April 8th 1977:
Rehearsed all day.
April 12th 1977:
Nod and myself spent the day in Ipswich doing radio interviews.
April 14th 1977:
Flew to Norway.
Did press - Nod, Chas and myself drank with the Oslo promoter at his house until 06:00am - met Julie Felix.
April 15th 1977:
Played in Oslo.
April 17th 1977:
Chas blew the show in Kristiansand as the stage was too small - I would have burned under the lights.
April 18th 1977:
Flew to Oslo - did press and radio before the concert (Concert at Chateau Neuf, Oslo, Norway).
April 19th 1977:
Met David Steen (photographer) & Les Perrin (PR) at Copenhagen Airport... Then we met Ozzie in the hotel. We saw Sabbath's show later - did photos before going to their show.
April 20th 1977:
Played Copenhagen.
April 26th, 1977.
Went to a reception for Twiggy ("Please Get My Name Right" album?)
April 28th 1977:
Went to see The Small Faces at the Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park - and their reception afterwards.
April 30th 1977:
Did an LBC Radio (London) interview - caught the train to Bristol.
May 1st 1977:
Before the show here in Bristol, H called me to shave the back of his head (his bald period).
May 2nd 1977:
Drove to Southampton for a TV chat show - then onto Bournemouth for a show.
May 3rd 1977:
Drove to Sheffield - Did Radio Hallam before the show.
May 4th 1977:
Show in Liverpool.
May 5th 1977:
Show in Birmingham.
May 6th 1977:
Show in Wolverhampton Civic Hall - reception at The Trumpet in Bilston afterwards.
May 7th 1977:
Show in Manchester.
May 8th 1977:
Show in Newcastle Up On Tyne.
May 9th 1977:
Show in Glasgow.
May 11th 1977:
Show in Ipswich cancelled because of Nod's bad throat (doesn’t happen very often,)
May 12th 1977:
Show at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Chas met his ex-wife’s Lotte’s new boyfriend at the reception after and there was a bust up between them.
Chas blew the show in Kristiansand as the stage was too small - I would have burned under the lights.
April 18th 1977:
Flew to Oslo - did press and radio before the concert (Concert at Chateau Neuf, Oslo, Norway).
April 19th 1977:
Met David Steen (photographer) & Les Perrin (PR) at Copenhagen Airport... Then we met Ozzie in the hotel. We saw Sabbath's show later - did photos before going to their show.
April 20th 1977:
Played Copenhagen.
April 26th, 1977.
Went to a reception for Twiggy ("Please Get My Name Right" album?)
April 28th 1977:
Went to see The Small Faces at the Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park - and their reception afterwards.
April 30th 1977:
Did an LBC Radio (London) interview - caught the train to Bristol.
May 1st 1977:
Before the show here in Bristol, H called me to shave the back of his head (his bald period).
May 2nd 1977:
Drove to Southampton for a TV chat show - then onto Bournemouth for a show.
May 3rd 1977:
Drove to Sheffield - Did Radio Hallam before the show.
May 4th 1977:
Show in Liverpool.
May 5th 1977:
Show in Birmingham.
May 6th 1977:
Show in Wolverhampton Civic Hall - reception at The Trumpet in Bilston afterwards.
May 7th 1977:
Show in Manchester.
May 8th 1977:
Show in Newcastle Up On Tyne.
May 9th 1977:
Show in Glasgow.
May 11th 1977:
Show in Ipswich cancelled because of Nod's bad throat (doesn’t happen very often,)
May 12th 1977:
Show at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Chas met his ex-wife’s Lotte’s new boyfriend at the reception after and there was a bust up between them.
May 13th 1977:
Flew to, Hamburg. Marmalade were also on the plane. Checked in the hotel and Pussycat were there. We cleaned up for a photo session - Kim Fowley was in the hotel with the band The Runaways.
Went to the Queen concert (at the Congresscentrum, Hamburg) and to their reception afterwards.
Flew to, Hamburg. Marmalade were also on the plane. Checked in the hotel and Pussycat were there. We cleaned up for a photo session - Kim Fowley was in the hotel with the band The Runaways.
Went to the Queen concert (at the Congresscentrum, Hamburg) and to their reception afterwards.
May 14th 1977:
Did some press and photos before the show with Pussycat, ’The Rubettes & a German soul band called Supermax. Queen came to our show (well Roger did..... also Freddie I think....)
May 15th 1977:
Played Frankfurt with same bands..... We tour with them now.
May 16th 1977:
Spent the day doing promo with all the bands.
May 17th 1977:
Show in Hannover.
May 18th 1977:
Show in Dusseldorf.
May 19th 1977:
Show in Dortmund .
May 20th 1977:
Show in Cologne.
May 21st 1977:
Show in Berlin.
May 22nd 1977:
Munich, 2 shows today - afternoon show cancelled ‘cause of poor staging. All sorted for the evening show.
May 23rd 1977:
Show in Bublingan
May 24th 1977:
Drove to Bochum
May 25th 1977:
Changed hotels,
Day Off.
May 26th 1977:
Played Bochum.
2 shows today. 1st one cancelled ‘cause of unsafe stage.... got it right for the 2nd
May 27th 1977:
Did TV show Elkie Brookes was also on - did interviews for ’Freizeit’ magazine.
Flew back to England.
May 28th 1977:
Ipswich (replacing the cancelled gig ‘cause of Nod's bad throat).
June 2nd 1977:
Spent all day in Advision going over the ‘live’ recordings’ from Ipswich.
Went to John Richard's house (the drummer with the Rubettes) for the evening.
June 3rd 1977:
Spent the day with Chas, Nod & Jim trying to decide on what to release as our next single.
June 6th 1977:
Jim and Frank's Mom and Dad came to my place for lunch.
June 7th 1977:
Went to the Queen show at Earls Court and to the reception afterwards....My car was broken into. They stole the alarm system and the 8 Track player. There were ten 8 Track’s in the rack, including two Slade ones. They took eight, and left the Slade ones - talk about a kick in the teeth!........Drove straight to Wolverhampton after.
(The story of my robery made a news programme at the time - the newsreader said of the thief: "Obviously someone with taste").
Did some press and photos before the show with Pussycat, ’The Rubettes & a German soul band called Supermax. Queen came to our show (well Roger did..... also Freddie I think....)
May 15th 1977:
Played Frankfurt with same bands..... We tour with them now.
May 16th 1977:
Spent the day doing promo with all the bands.
May 17th 1977:
Show in Hannover.
May 18th 1977:
Show in Dusseldorf.
May 19th 1977:
Show in Dortmund .
May 20th 1977:
Show in Cologne.
May 21st 1977:
Show in Berlin.
May 22nd 1977:
Munich, 2 shows today - afternoon show cancelled ‘cause of poor staging. All sorted for the evening show.
May 23rd 1977:
Show in Bublingan
May 24th 1977:
Drove to Bochum
May 25th 1977:
Changed hotels,
Day Off.
May 26th 1977:
Played Bochum.
2 shows today. 1st one cancelled ‘cause of unsafe stage.... got it right for the 2nd
May 27th 1977:
Did TV show Elkie Brookes was also on - did interviews for ’Freizeit’ magazine.
Flew back to England.
May 28th 1977:
Ipswich (replacing the cancelled gig ‘cause of Nod's bad throat).
June 2nd 1977:
Spent all day in Advision going over the ‘live’ recordings’ from Ipswich.
Went to John Richard's house (the drummer with the Rubettes) for the evening.
June 3rd 1977:
Spent the day with Chas, Nod & Jim trying to decide on what to release as our next single.
June 6th 1977:
Jim and Frank's Mom and Dad came to my place for lunch.
June 7th 1977:
Went to the Queen show at Earls Court and to the reception afterwards....My car was broken into. They stole the alarm system and the 8 Track player. There were ten 8 Track’s in the rack, including two Slade ones. They took eight, and left the Slade ones - talk about a kick in the teeth!........Drove straight to Wolverhampton after.
(The story of my robery made a news programme at the time - the newsreader said of the thief: "Obviously someone with taste").
June 8th 1977:
Rehearsed all day in Cannock.
June 11th 1977:
Flew to the Isle Of Man.
June 12th 1977:
Played the Isle of Man.
June 14th 1977:
Spent the night at Jim's birthday party.
June 17th 1977:
Spent the day at Advision recording studio.
June 24th 1977:
TV show in Stuttgart.
June 25th 1977:
Flew home my suitcase and three guitars were missing....
June 26th 1977:
Got my suitcase back..... guitars,??????
June 27th 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
June 28th 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
July 1st 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
July 2nd 1977:
Went see Bad Company... Racing Cars....Metropolis at Earls Court....
Rehearsed all day in Cannock.
June 11th 1977:
Flew to the Isle Of Man.
June 12th 1977:
Played the Isle of Man.
June 14th 1977:
Spent the night at Jim's birthday party.
June 17th 1977:
Spent the day at Advision recording studio.
June 24th 1977:
TV show in Stuttgart.
June 25th 1977:
Flew home my suitcase and three guitars were missing....
June 26th 1977:
Got my suitcase back..... guitars,??????
June 27th 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
June 28th 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
July 1st 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
July 2nd 1977:
Went see Bad Company... Racing Cars....Metropolis at Earls Court....
July 6th 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
July 7th 1977:
Spent the, day at Advision recording ‘Not Tonight Josephine’
July 8th 1977:
Advision Recording Studio
July 14th 1977:
Advision Recording Studio
July 28th 1977:
Flew to Amsterdam to see The Depressions in concert (Chas’s new signing).
Rehearsed Cannock.
July 7th 1977:
Spent the, day at Advision recording ‘Not Tonight Josephine’
July 8th 1977:
Advision Recording Studio
July 14th 1977:
Advision Recording Studio
July 28th 1977:
Flew to Amsterdam to see The Depressions in concert (Chas’s new signing).
August 5th 1977:
Drove to Bournemouth (Swinn, Nod, Leandra and myself) for promoter Mel Bush’s sister's wedding (Anne).
August 6th 1977:
Anne Bush’s wedding to Alejandro....
August 24th 1977:
Radio Beacon party at The Penthouse Club.
August 29th 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
August 31st 1977:
Advision Recording Studio recorded My Baby Left Me.
Drove to Bournemouth (Swinn, Nod, Leandra and myself) for promoter Mel Bush’s sister's wedding (Anne).
August 6th 1977:
Anne Bush’s wedding to Alejandro....
August 24th 1977:
Radio Beacon party at The Penthouse Club.
August 29th 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
August 31st 1977:
Advision Recording Studio recorded My Baby Left Me.
September 10th 1977:
BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY AT MY FLAT IN HAMPSTEAD..... Freddie Mercury attended - asked if I had china, as he couldn't use paper plates.
October 21st 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
Saw Steve Gibbons play in Birmingham.
October 26th 1977:
We did T.O.T.P’s at BBC TV Studio, Wood Lane - with My Baby Left Me
BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY AT MY FLAT IN HAMPSTEAD..... Freddie Mercury attended - asked if I had china, as he couldn't use paper plates.
October 21st 1977:
Rehearsed Cannock.
Saw Steve Gibbons play in Birmingham.
October 26th 1977:
We did T.O.T.P’s at BBC TV Studio, Wood Lane - with My Baby Left Me
November 29th 1977:
Recorded all day at Pebble Mill, Birmingham (BBC TV show "Pebble Mill")
November 30th 1977:
Recorded all day at Pebble Mill
December 1st 1977:
Recorded all day at Pebble Mill
December 3rd 1977:
Nod & myself did an LBC interview.. (Jellybone Show with Therese Birch)
Recorded all day at Pebble Mill, Birmingham (BBC TV show "Pebble Mill")
November 30th 1977:
Recorded all day at Pebble Mill
December 1st 1977:
Recorded all day at Pebble Mill
December 3rd 1977:
Nod & myself did an LBC interview.. (Jellybone Show with Therese Birch)
December 5th 1977:
Nod and myself did a TV show in Yorkshire...?
December 7th 1977:
Flew to Munich rehearsed a TV show...
December 8th 1977:
Recorded TV show.
December 13th 1977:
‘Variety Dinner’ at The Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, London.
December 14th 1977:
Called Dad for his birthday.
Spent the day in Advision Recording Studio.
December 15th 1977:
Spent the day in Advision.
December 16th 1977:
Spent the day in Advision.
December 19th 1977:
Spent the day in Advision
December 20th 1977:
Went to a David Essex concert.
December 21st 1977:
Spent the day in Advision.
December 25th 1977:
CHRISTMAS DAY at Mom & Dad’s in Bilston.
December 31st 1977:
JJ (Johnny Jones) picked me up for a party ??????? .......
WOW...... We did a lot that year.
Nod and myself did a TV show in Yorkshire...?
December 7th 1977:
Flew to Munich rehearsed a TV show...
December 8th 1977:
Recorded TV show.
December 13th 1977:
‘Variety Dinner’ at The Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, London.
December 14th 1977:
Called Dad for his birthday.
Spent the day in Advision Recording Studio.
December 15th 1977:
Spent the day in Advision.
December 16th 1977:
Spent the day in Advision.
December 19th 1977:
Spent the day in Advision
December 20th 1977:
Went to a David Essex concert.
December 21st 1977:
Spent the day in Advision.
December 25th 1977:
CHRISTMAS DAY at Mom & Dad’s in Bilston.
December 31st 1977:
JJ (Johnny Jones) picked me up for a party ??????? .......
WOW...... We did a lot that year.