DON's FAVES....
Don's Favourite Concerts He's Attended
1. The Eagles - Wembley Stadium - 13 July 1976
The Eagles at Wembley - the ‘Hell Freezes Over Tour’.
Hard to believe, The Eagles supported Slade in 1973.
I already had the DVD of the get back together TV special in LA, so I knew what to expect..... They played the most fantastic version of ‘Hotel California’ (acoustic).
The reason for the album and tour title..... Don Henley was asked a few years previous: "When are you lot getting back together?". His reply: “When Hell Freezes Over!"
Hard to believe, The Eagles supported Slade in 1973.
I already had the DVD of the get back together TV special in LA, so I knew what to expect..... They played the most fantastic version of ‘Hotel California’ (acoustic).
The reason for the album and tour title..... Don Henley was asked a few years previous: "When are you lot getting back together?". His reply: “When Hell Freezes Over!"
2. Led Zepplin - Earl's Court - 24 May 1975
We arranged to drive ‘back-stage’ before their show started... To explain more fully, it happened when Swinn (our Tour Manager) tried to park our Rolls Royce Limo... He drove straight into a wall, much to the delight of Led Zeppelin.
During the gig, when Robert Plant was announcing one song, he mentioned: “This song reminds me of when Noddy Holder was my roadie”... Nod used to drive Robert and his band, Listen, when we weren't working. He used his Dad's window-cleaning van!
He used to take the ladders off the top first.....
During the gig, when Robert Plant was announcing one song, he mentioned: “This song reminds me of when Noddy Holder was my roadie”... Nod used to drive Robert and his band, Listen, when we weren't working. He used his Dad's window-cleaning van!
He used to take the ladders off the top first.....
3. Bruce Springsteen - Box Stadium, Herning, Denmark - 16 May 2013
Bruce was told before the gig not to play longer than 3 hours - because of the curfew. (He played, 3hrs 6 mins!)
What a fantastic energy show.... (It was non-stop. No long guitar solos or drum-solos...) He was getting people on stage dancing. One girl picked up a guitar and before a roadie could take it off her, she started playing along with the band.....
Bruce made their sound guy turn her volume up! All the band went and stood by her in amazement. There they all were all ‘boogying’ along with her! The musicians were loving it, also the crowd went wild when they finished! Bruce gave her such a big hug.
What a fantastic energy show.... (It was non-stop. No long guitar solos or drum-solos...) He was getting people on stage dancing. One girl picked up a guitar and before a roadie could take it off her, she started playing along with the band.....
Bruce made their sound guy turn her volume up! All the band went and stood by her in amazement. There they all were all ‘boogying’ along with her! The musicians were loving it, also the crowd went wild when they finished! Bruce gave her such a big hug.
4. ZZ Top (before the beards) - Ashbury Park Convention Centre - 9 August 1975 and Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jersey - 15 Nov 1975
On ZZ Top's Fandango Tour, Slade and Quo were added to the show to help sell tickets. ZZ Top were still trying to make a name for themselves...
It was a fantastic rocking night as you can imagine....
It was a fantastic rocking night as you can imagine....
5. Kiss - Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jersey - 4 October 1975
This was the first time we met them (without make-up. I didn’t know who was who). This was when they told us they were big fans and would copy our show and take it further!
6. Kiss - Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium, Tennessee - 10 Sept 1975
You can imagine the party we all had together that night on my birthday! (Not repeatable!)
Don's Most Admired Drummers
Drummers, more so than any other band musicians, have great respect for each other.
Don has listed the 5 drummers that he most admires - and gives his reasons ...
1. JOHN HENRY BONHAM
I place John Bonham as the drummer I admire most.
This is for his sheer power and unbelievable technique. He’s the only drummer I’ve seen who can do a roll between his left hand on the snare-drum and his right foot on the bass-drum.
He could do more with one bass-drum than drummers who use two. (He told me once that he started to use two bass-drums, but found out he could do more with one).......
We played with a band he was with on 21st June 1967. They were called Way Of Life (a cabaret band) at the Hen & Chickens on the Birmingham New Rd. Even then, he played as loud as he did with Zeppelin...
In the Zeppelin days, when he was signed to Ludwig Drums (as I was), he played a white kit. A 28” bass-drum and large tom-toms (don’t know their sizes).
I own all Zeppelin records. Listen to the bass-drum on, Track One, “Good Times Bad Times”, on their first album to hear what I mean.
During the 1970’s, on one American tour, Slade were playing in Dallas, Texas. And unbeknown to us, they (Zeppelin) were in town and they secretly came to our show. Bonham brought fruit to throw at us while we were on stage (for a joke). Later he decided to throw a party for us in his hotel suite. That's where he tried to kill Jim Lea. But that’s another story...
Don has listed the 5 drummers that he most admires - and gives his reasons ...
1. JOHN HENRY BONHAM
I place John Bonham as the drummer I admire most.
This is for his sheer power and unbelievable technique. He’s the only drummer I’ve seen who can do a roll between his left hand on the snare-drum and his right foot on the bass-drum.
He could do more with one bass-drum than drummers who use two. (He told me once that he started to use two bass-drums, but found out he could do more with one).......
We played with a band he was with on 21st June 1967. They were called Way Of Life (a cabaret band) at the Hen & Chickens on the Birmingham New Rd. Even then, he played as loud as he did with Zeppelin...
In the Zeppelin days, when he was signed to Ludwig Drums (as I was), he played a white kit. A 28” bass-drum and large tom-toms (don’t know their sizes).
I own all Zeppelin records. Listen to the bass-drum on, Track One, “Good Times Bad Times”, on their first album to hear what I mean.
During the 1970’s, on one American tour, Slade were playing in Dallas, Texas. And unbeknown to us, they (Zeppelin) were in town and they secretly came to our show. Bonham brought fruit to throw at us while we were on stage (for a joke). Later he decided to throw a party for us in his hotel suite. That's where he tried to kill Jim Lea. But that’s another story...
The ' N Betweens with Way Of Life - Hen & Chickens - 21 June 1967
2. WILLIAM 'BENNY' BENJAMIN
'Benny' played on all Tamla Motown records from 1959 till he died in 1969.
Just listen to his amazing feel on every record he played on (which are all those old classics).
On nearly every Motown record, drums always bring the track in with a roll on the snare-drum and finish the fill with one hit on the, ‘Rack-Tom’. Sadly I never met him....
Don’t know what kit he used. It was probably an old beat-up one that was falling apart.
I own most of the early Motown classics. Slade’s repertoire when we first formed consisted of mainly Motown classics.
Our opening song for many years was “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops.
3. AL JACKSON
Al Jackson played on all the Stax records for Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Al Green and many more.
Amazing feel, classic drum fills especially on "Mr Pitiful” by Otis Redding (and on all Al Green records). He over-dubbed Tom-Tom on every snare-drum beat - giving the track an amazing bottom-end feel.
I never saw him play live...I never met him....
He has an amazing feel especially on all Otis Redding and Al Green records.
Don’t know what kit he used.... again, probably an old beat up one..
I own most of the early Stax classics. Sadly he was shot dead in his home in 1975. There are conflicting reports whether it was a burglar or his wife...
4. RINGO STARR
Ringo Starr. What a break he had eh? Ringo was playing at Butlins, Skegness. Then in August 1962 when he was asked to join The Beatles.
On The Beatles recording session for “Love Me Do” George Martin wasn’t sure if Ringo would be good enough. So he had a session drummer there as well. He was called Andy White.
They both did different takes of the song. It is actually ‘gospel’ that the take that was released as the single was the one with Ringo playing drums.
Ringo came to a Slade concert during the 70’s in Los Angeles. It was very strange to see one of my heros watching from the side of the stage.
I never saw The Beatles live.
With his drumming style - he swings like crazy. I also bought the exact Ludwig kit that Ringo had.... A 22” bass-drum, 13” X 13” rack-tom, 16” X 16” floor-tom nd a 14” X 4” snare-drum. 14” hi-hats, 18” ride, 16” crash.
I own all Beatle records. Ha!
5. GINGER BAKER
I first met Ginger Baker when Cream formed in 1966. We were support to them at a St Giles Youth-Club ‘dance’ at the Willenhall Baths. They were being paid £125!
We all shared the same dressing room (there was no separate dressing-rooms in those days). I was trying to talk to Eric Clapton, but he wasn’t talking back. Iinstead he just had a ‘glazed’ look in his eyes (dope)!
Ginger Baker had his double Ludwig kit (silver sparkle) set up in the dressing room. No one could move - and everyone was too scared to ask him to move it! He was dancing all over his kit. I thought “he must be rich”.
Also, on the bill, were a band called Listen - which featured Robert Plant on vocals. I remember that Robert was the one who (foolishly) asked Ginger to move his kit. Ginger's reply was simply "F##K OFF!" - which Robert sheepishly did. I wonder if Robert Plant remembers this?
When Cream later opened their set, it was with "NSU” and I’d never seen anyone play like that.....Ginger was always on Tom-Toms and it was a fantastic sound. My advice for everyone is isten to that track! Yes.
The ' N Betweens with Cream - Willenhall Baths - 20 October 1966
Gig adverts - thanks to Chris Selby
Don's Most Memorable Slade gigs of all time...
1. THE GREAT WESTERN FESTIVAL, LINCOLN, UK - 28 MAY1972
Melody Maker headline - 1972
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Nod on stage at Lincoln 1972
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Lincoln - I think the concert was called the Great Western Festival. It was co-promoted by the actor Stanley Baker.
The Beach Boys, Genesis, Roxy Music, Lindisfarne, Humble Pie, Rod Stewart & the Faces, Don McClean, Joe Cocker (totally stoned) and Monty Python performed.
We were having a great show and to top it all, Nod brought Stanley Baker on stage. He made all the crowd do the chant from his recent film "Zulu"....the crowd went berserk.
The following week I remember that we had the front page of the Melody Maker with the headline “A NICE ONE!”. Nod wore a badge upside down on his hat saying, “The Pope Smokes Dope”.
We got a new following after that show, we were not just a pop band anymore....
The Beach Boys, Genesis, Roxy Music, Lindisfarne, Humble Pie, Rod Stewart & the Faces, Don McClean, Joe Cocker (totally stoned) and Monty Python performed.
We were having a great show and to top it all, Nod brought Stanley Baker on stage. He made all the crowd do the chant from his recent film "Zulu"....the crowd went berserk.
The following week I remember that we had the front page of the Melody Maker with the headline “A NICE ONE!”. Nod wore a badge upside down on his hat saying, “The Pope Smokes Dope”.
We got a new following after that show, we were not just a pop band anymore....
2. TORWAR HALL, WARSAW, POLAND - 4/5 AUGUST 1978
Torwar Hall, Poland - 1978
We did a really big indoor show (18,000 crowd) at The Torwar Hall, nr the Legia Warszawa Stadium in Warsaw, Poland in 1978.
At the time we always threw ‘bog’ rolls out during “ Mama We’re All Crazee Now” with the intention that the crowd
threw them back at us (they did that everywhere else in the World). It was to make it look like a big New Years Eve party - with the bog rolls looking like very long streamers.
As soon as the crowd saw them, they grabbed them and put them straight in their bags or pockets - thinking they were a gift as their own bog paper was like ’grease-proof’ paper!
On that particular tour we nearly got deported as our crew ‘mooned’ out of their coach window at a religious procession of hundreds nuns & priests as their coach overtook them.
The tour promoter was like a nervous wreck at the end of that tour covered. He was covered in boils and he developed a really bad twitch......
At the time we always threw ‘bog’ rolls out during “ Mama We’re All Crazee Now” with the intention that the crowd
threw them back at us (they did that everywhere else in the World). It was to make it look like a big New Years Eve party - with the bog rolls looking like very long streamers.
As soon as the crowd saw them, they grabbed them and put them straight in their bags or pockets - thinking they were a gift as their own bog paper was like ’grease-proof’ paper!
On that particular tour we nearly got deported as our crew ‘mooned’ out of their coach window at a religious procession of hundreds nuns & priests as their coach overtook them.
The tour promoter was like a nervous wreck at the end of that tour covered. He was covered in boils and he developed a really bad twitch......
Note from Piotr Walecki from Poland: The "religious procession" was the big pilgrimage to Częstochowa, a small town in the south of Poland. There is a big monastery with the famous paint picture of Mother Mary of Czestochowa. The pilgrimage takes place every year and finishes with a thousands, sometimes million people big mass on 15th August at the monastery. So people from Warsaw usually start their pilgrimage about 6th or 7th of August to walk a whole week over 200 km to be on time for 15th August in Czestochowa. That's why I think Slade camp saw pilgrims leaving Warsaw 6th or 7th August while Slade were leaving for next tour stage at Kraków
3. THE READING FESTIVAL, UK - 24 AUGUST 1980
No mention of Slade on the Reading Festival posters - 1980
The Reading Festival.
We only got that show a few days before the event as Ozzy Osbourne had pulled out. He thought his new band (Blizzard of Ozz) wasn’t ready.
We hadn’t played together for a few months and were on the verge of breaking up. We only had one days rehearsal and turned up with no vehicle passes or back-stage passes, or anything. Everyone kept saying to us ”What are you doing here"?
However, we had a fantastic show and a quote from Wikepedia says “One of the greatest come back stories”.
The show was recorded live by the BBC for broadcast. We brought the tapes off them and released an EP which we called "Slade Alive At Reading '80", featuring “When I’m Dancin', I Ain’t Fightin' ", “Born To Be Wild” and “Something Else”. It went into the charts and we were off again.
We only got that show a few days before the event as Ozzy Osbourne had pulled out. He thought his new band (Blizzard of Ozz) wasn’t ready.
We hadn’t played together for a few months and were on the verge of breaking up. We only had one days rehearsal and turned up with no vehicle passes or back-stage passes, or anything. Everyone kept saying to us ”What are you doing here"?
However, we had a fantastic show and a quote from Wikepedia says “One of the greatest come back stories”.
The show was recorded live by the BBC for broadcast. We brought the tapes off them and released an EP which we called "Slade Alive At Reading '80", featuring “When I’m Dancin', I Ain’t Fightin' ", “Born To Be Wild” and “Something Else”. It went into the charts and we were off again.
4. CASTLE DONINGTON - "THE MONSTERS OF ROCK FESTIVAL" - 22 AUGUST 1981
Monsters Of Rock programme - 1981
AC/DC, Whitesnake, Blackfoot & The Blue Oyster Cult.
Another great gig. Poor old Blue Oyster Cult had a hard time following us. We found out their drummer walked out on them the day before and their roadie, Rick Downey, took over the drum-stool at the last minute.
Another great gig. Poor old Blue Oyster Cult had a hard time following us. We found out their drummer walked out on them the day before and their roadie, Rick Downey, took over the drum-stool at the last minute.
5. RANDWICK RACECOURSE, AUSTRALIA - 28 JANUARY 1973
Australia 1973 - flyer
We were on our first Australian tour with Status Quo, LindIsfarne & Caravan.
We found out, but only when we got to Australia, that ‘Slade Alive’ had gone ‘Gold’ 6 times and we had 3 singles in their Top 20. As we were travelling around all you ever heard on the radio was us - much to the disdain of the other bands on the tour - who kept on saying ”Oh no, not you lot again!”
We got to Ranwick Race Course to find a 60,000 crowd waiting for us....in the pouring rain. And the crowd were all over the stage with us, as they didn’t have enough security. We were not expecting that reaction.
All the bands nearly got deported as we all were a mite rowdy on our internal flights. One such flight the captain threatened to land his plane at the next airport and throw us all off. When Francis Rossi (of Quo) spilt his drink as the, plane hit turbulence, he decided to take his jeans off and walk to the front of the plane, holding his wet jeans to complain to the Captain. Slade and Quo have been the, best of mates ever since....
We found out, but only when we got to Australia, that ‘Slade Alive’ had gone ‘Gold’ 6 times and we had 3 singles in their Top 20. As we were travelling around all you ever heard on the radio was us - much to the disdain of the other bands on the tour - who kept on saying ”Oh no, not you lot again!”
We got to Ranwick Race Course to find a 60,000 crowd waiting for us....in the pouring rain. And the crowd were all over the stage with us, as they didn’t have enough security. We were not expecting that reaction.
All the bands nearly got deported as we all were a mite rowdy on our internal flights. One such flight the captain threatened to land his plane at the next airport and throw us all off. When Francis Rossi (of Quo) spilt his drink as the, plane hit turbulence, he decided to take his jeans off and walk to the front of the plane, holding his wet jeans to complain to the Captain. Slade and Quo have been the, best of mates ever since....
Don's Top Ten Singles.... of all time
1. Think It Over - Buddy Holly & The Crickets
A very special record, as it was the first record I learned to play drums to...
It was from “The Buddy Holly Story” LP released in 1959. Track 3, side 2 and is only 1 minute and 43 seconds long.
It was from “The Buddy Holly Story” LP released in 1959. Track 3, side 2 and is only 1 minute and 43 seconds long.
2. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
This was the first song that Nod, ’H’, Jim and myself ever played together at our first rehearsal together. And then the line-up, as you know, was born...
Just listen to Al Jackson's drumming on the Otis Reading version... What a ‘GROOVE’ !
Just listen to Al Jackson's drumming on the Otis Reading version... What a ‘GROOVE’ !
3. I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
I first heard it as a new release on 29th November 1963, (the day it came out), on the “Thank Your Lucky Stars” tv programme.
4. One Of These Nights - The Eagles
First heard it in 1975 driving to our hotel from LA airport (in beautiful sunshine, 100 degrees). A perfect record, depicting the moment.
5. Reeling In The Years - Steely Dan
Written by Donald Fagin & Walter Becker in 1973. This was another one of those records I was hearing all the time on American Radio.
6. Somethin' Else - Eddie Cochran
I first heard it at my youth-club (Bourne Youth Club) around 1962. It was actually released in 1959 and was written by Eddie, his brother, Bob, and Eddie's girlfriend, Sharon Sheeley.
7. Stay - The Hollies
It was The Hollies' third single. It was released in 1963 and was a cover of the Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs original record.
The drummer, Bobby Elliott, had just joined the band replacing Don Rathbone. And it was the first single he played on.
The ‘N Betweens supported The Hollies at Willenhall Baths around that time. They were paid £75, we were paid £4.....
The drummer, Bobby Elliott, had just joined the band replacing Don Rathbone. And it was the first single he played on.
The ‘N Betweens supported The Hollies at Willenhall Baths around that time. They were paid £75, we were paid £4.....
8. Tush - ZZ Top
"Tush" was slang for "piece of ass". It was sung by Bass player, Dusty Hill, and was from their 1975 album “ Fandango”.
It was named #67 rock song of all time.
Slade supported them many times in America. At that time they were huge in the Southern States, but meant nothing elsewhere. So they had Slade on their show in other parts of the US to help pull crowds...
It was named #67 rock song of all time.
Slade supported them many times in America. At that time they were huge in the Southern States, but meant nothing elsewhere. So they had Slade on their show in other parts of the US to help pull crowds...
9. Fooled Around And Fell In Love - Elvin Bishop Band
The best ‘small-club’ band I’ve ever seen... From their 1975 LP ’Struttin’ My Stuff’.
10. Custard Pie - Led Zeppelin
From their debut album “Physical Graffiti” on their own newly formed record-label Swan-song.
"Custard Pie" is track one, side one. It was released in 1975.
The album went Platinum 16 times. It was recorded in January / February 1974 and the song is in three parts..
Just listen to Bonham's drumming (the best I've ever heard). Apparently, Jimmy Page wasn’t too happy with what Bonham was playing on earlier takes and told him so. Bonham apparently in a ‘rage’ said “Let's go one more fucking time then” and as a result you’ll here the best ‘rock’ drumming ever.... At the, end of the take you hear, Bonham shout ”That’s got to be the one hasn’t it"????
"Custard Pie" is track one, side one. It was released in 1975.
The album went Platinum 16 times. It was recorded in January / February 1974 and the song is in three parts..
Just listen to Bonham's drumming (the best I've ever heard). Apparently, Jimmy Page wasn’t too happy with what Bonham was playing on earlier takes and told him so. Bonham apparently in a ‘rage’ said “Let's go one more fucking time then” and as a result you’ll here the best ‘rock’ drumming ever.... At the, end of the take you hear, Bonham shout ”That’s got to be the one hasn’t it"????
Don's Top Five Fave Hotels He's Stayed In...
Here is the list of Don's Favourite Hotels. He said it's been great fun trying to remember staying in them...... They are all favourites for different reasons. The ones listed being the most memorable ones...
1. Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Bahrain - 5*
Ceiling to floor windows in each room. Rooms have a mega bathroom with oval bath and large shower cubicle. There is 24 hr room service for anything you want... 5 swimming pools, 2 indoor (all with different types of water, depending on your type of skin).
All rooms have push-button facilities... Of course there are tea & coffee making facilities. But in this hotel with 10 different varieties of tea & coffee! There is also a fridge full of everything you could think of! Everywhere you went in the hotel the staff knew the names of all guests.
All rooms have push-button facilities... Of course there are tea & coffee making facilities. But in this hotel with 10 different varieties of tea & coffee! There is also a fridge full of everything you could think of! Everywhere you went in the hotel the staff knew the names of all guests.
2. Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA - 5*
A photo of the hotel is reputed to be the front cover of the “Hotel California” album by The Eagles.
However, I’ve since found out the front cover photograph is actually the Hotel California in Todos Santos in Baja California Peninsular, Mexico.
But the Beverly Hills Hotel use the The Eagles connection as selling point to sell rooms at a silly price..... And it is still a great place for parties!
However, I’ve since found out the front cover photograph is actually the Hotel California in Todos Santos in Baja California Peninsular, Mexico.
But the Beverly Hills Hotel use the The Eagles connection as selling point to sell rooms at a silly price..... And it is still a great place for parties!
3. Hilton Hotel, Tokyo, Japan - 5*
When I stayed there I was shown damaged rice-paper room divides were many drunken guests had walked through them (myself included). (By the way, Dave Hill's damaged divide had only a very small hole)...
Everywhere you went staff were bowing to you in respect. The hotel is right near the area of Tokyo called The Ginza (where anything went).....
When we stayed there it was in my drinking days and I remember (or remember being told) of being in a club far away from the hotel. I ordered drinks and tried to sign them to my room! Still don’t know how I got back to the hotel...
Everywhere you went staff were bowing to you in respect. The hotel is right near the area of Tokyo called The Ginza (where anything went).....
When we stayed there it was in my drinking days and I remember (or remember being told) of being in a club far away from the hotel. I ordered drinks and tried to sign them to my room! Still don’t know how I got back to the hotel...
4. Hotel Hermitage, Monte Carlo, Monaco - 5*
I remember checking in the hotel and being asked: “Do you need a helicopter Mr Powell, to take you anywhere?” It was all part of the hotel services...
When I stayed there I had been travelling by train for a week - without shaving or washing my hair. Even so, I could go into their restaurant - no problem. There I was sitting next to people in evening dress and me looking like Worzel Gummidge. No one batted an eye-lid. Everyone in the hotel was treated the same...
When I stayed there I had been travelling by train for a week - without shaving or washing my hair. Even so, I could go into their restaurant - no problem. There I was sitting next to people in evening dress and me looking like Worzel Gummidge. No one batted an eye-lid. Everyone in the hotel was treated the same...
5. Taleon Imperial Hotel, St Petersburg, Russia - 5*
I remember that all the staff in the hotel wore such brilliant white uniforms. You needed sun-glasses to look at them!
There were different dining-rooms depending on your ‘status’. We were down the list a little. But even our facilities were out of this world. As soon as you put your empty glass down, it was taken. This was the same for everything you had... Even the napkins were taken from your table with by staff using a pair of silver tongs.
The hotel was the home of two brothers originally, then converted into a hotel.
There were different dining-rooms depending on your ‘status’. We were down the list a little. But even our facilities were out of this world. As soon as you put your empty glass down, it was taken. This was the same for everything you had... Even the napkins were taken from your table with by staff using a pair of silver tongs.
The hotel was the home of two brothers originally, then converted into a hotel.
Don's Top Five Most Memorable Places in the World...
1. Auschwitz, Ocwiecm, Poland
Auschwitz, Poland
We toured Poland in, 1979 for three and a half weeks (playing all over the country). When we were staying near Oswiecm on a day off, we were told that we should visit the prison-camp (which is now a museum) just to see what happened...
Anyway, during that tour, we had a University student acting as our interpreter (being paid £5 a week). We used to call him George. On the morning we were leaving for the prison camp, we found him ‘pissed’ out of his brains on our tour-bus....
We thought this was very strange as he was always so together....
We got to the camp (in the middle of a forest) which didn’t mean that much...
But they showed us films of what went on in the camp during the war. There were these glass-fronted rooms, full of human hair, false arms and legs, children's toys and reading glasses...
We could see that they (the Germans) were basically experimenting on the prisoners. One of the thing I remember being told they would do would be to take an arm off someone and ‘sew’ it on to someone else who already had two arms (to give them 3... to see what would happen).
Also, the strange thing is, during the war, no-one knew the camp was there. Apparently it was found by the Russians (by accident) whilst on patrol...
You mean to tell me, no-one ever saw the smoke from the furnaces or could not ‘smell’ death ( BULL”£$%^&*)!
After our visit we got back on the coach and George was still ‘pissed’. We found out later the reason he didn’t go round the camp is that he lost most of his family there...
Another thing we were told about, which we experienced, when we left the camp. We realized that within a few miles radiance of the camp there were no leaves on the trees, no grass on the ground or birds singing...... EERIE.
Anyway, during that tour, we had a University student acting as our interpreter (being paid £5 a week). We used to call him George. On the morning we were leaving for the prison camp, we found him ‘pissed’ out of his brains on our tour-bus....
We thought this was very strange as he was always so together....
We got to the camp (in the middle of a forest) which didn’t mean that much...
But they showed us films of what went on in the camp during the war. There were these glass-fronted rooms, full of human hair, false arms and legs, children's toys and reading glasses...
We could see that they (the Germans) were basically experimenting on the prisoners. One of the thing I remember being told they would do would be to take an arm off someone and ‘sew’ it on to someone else who already had two arms (to give them 3... to see what would happen).
Also, the strange thing is, during the war, no-one knew the camp was there. Apparently it was found by the Russians (by accident) whilst on patrol...
You mean to tell me, no-one ever saw the smoke from the furnaces or could not ‘smell’ death ( BULL”£$%^&*)!
After our visit we got back on the coach and George was still ‘pissed’. We found out later the reason he didn’t go round the camp is that he lost most of his family there...
Another thing we were told about, which we experienced, when we left the camp. We realized that within a few miles radiance of the camp there were no leaves on the trees, no grass on the ground or birds singing...... EERIE.
2. Freeport, Bahamas
Satellite image of Freeport, Bahamas
Talk about, ‘chalk and cheese’.
The ‘N Betweens’ got to play there in 1968...
We were due to play there for eight weeks. But, due to a complete mess-up, we were 'stuck’ there for three and a half months... I wont spoil it, read my, biography when it comes out in, September. Freeport, Bahamas, a fantastic story!
3. Cotesloe Beach, Perth, Western Australia
Cotesloe Beach, Perth
When the ‘new’ Slade line-up got together in 1993, we went to Australia for 2 months. For the first three weeks we were based in Perth on the West Coast. Everyday we would catch the bus to the beach. It was the most fantastic stretch of beach I have ever seen. With a clean, blue, warm, Indian Ocean. The beach was always completely empty, except for 6 mad English men (not including H).
H never left his hotel- room - the reason? Because, he sea was full of sharks, poisonous snakes and salt-water crocodiles!
But what a fantastic place... We found out that Paul McCartney, with Linda and family, his band, crew and security had made their base in the top hotel in Perth, at the same time we were staying there. We often saw his band and crew (secretly) at McDonalds... "Secretly" because of Paul and Linda’s strict vegetarian rules. (Now I’ve blown it...)
H never left his hotel- room - the reason? Because, he sea was full of sharks, poisonous snakes and salt-water crocodiles!
But what a fantastic place... We found out that Paul McCartney, with Linda and family, his band, crew and security had made their base in the top hotel in Perth, at the same time we were staying there. We often saw his band and crew (secretly) at McDonalds... "Secretly" because of Paul and Linda’s strict vegetarian rules. (Now I’ve blown it...)
4. Niagra Falls, between Ontario, Canada and New York State, USA
Niagra Falls
When I visited Niagra falls was during the ‘original’ Slade’s last trip to America. He visited because for some reason we were near the Falls...
On our leaving day, travelling to the airport, our limo driver said we could leave early and he would take us by to have a look....
Within about 5 miles from the Falls we could hear this roar. It was the Falls! I have never seen anything so spectacular. Where does that much water come from? And why doesn’t it run dry?? Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to catch the boat trip that goes behind the Falls. Next time!
On our leaving day, travelling to the airport, our limo driver said we could leave early and he would take us by to have a look....
Within about 5 miles from the Falls we could hear this roar. It was the Falls! I have never seen anything so spectacular. Where does that much water come from? And why doesn’t it run dry?? Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to catch the boat trip that goes behind the Falls. Next time!
5. Sausalito, San Francisco, USA
Sausalito, San Francisco
Sauslito is just over the Golden Gate Bridge, in San-Francisco.
We were taken there during our first US tour in 1973.... We did two shows at the Winterland Ballroom on Friday and Saturday. On the Saturday (free day) we caught the ferry across the bay (past Alcatraz - that’s another story..) And we spent the day in Sausalito.
It's almost like some-place time forgot. So peaceful, serene and unspoilt. Lovely laid-back people. We had lunch at this restaurant that was on ‘stilts’ out in the ocean. I watched the fish I ordered being caught before my very eyes. This was the kind of place you only see in magazines....
We were taken there during our first US tour in 1973.... We did two shows at the Winterland Ballroom on Friday and Saturday. On the Saturday (free day) we caught the ferry across the bay (past Alcatraz - that’s another story..) And we spent the day in Sausalito.
It's almost like some-place time forgot. So peaceful, serene and unspoilt. Lovely laid-back people. We had lunch at this restaurant that was on ‘stilts’ out in the ocean. I watched the fish I ordered being caught before my very eyes. This was the kind of place you only see in magazines....
