Don Powell Official Website
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    • Don's 1976 Diary
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    • Don's 1978 Diary
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    • Don's 2001 Falklands Diary
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    • Don's 2014 Diary
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    • Don's 2019 Diary
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  • Don's 2020 Diary
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Timeline

10 September 1946   
1950 - 1957
1958
1957 - 1962
1962
1964    
Late 1964
1964    
November 1965


1965
June 1966
2 December 1966
July 1967
​
19 May 1968

12 December 1968
1 January 1969
Early 1969
February 1969
April 1969    
2 May 1969
9 May 1969
October 1969
24 October 1969
6 March 1970  
18 September 1970 
28 November 1970
21 May 1971 

8 October 1971
Donald George Powell born in Bilston, Staffordshire
Attended Villiers Road Primary School, Bilston
Started to play drums for the Boy Scouts
Attended Etheridge Secondary Modern School for Boys
Started studying metallurgy at Wednesbury Technical College
Joined The Vendors as drummer
The Vendors change name to The 'N Betweens
The 'N Betweens sign to the Astra Agency - run by Maurice Jones
Don with The 'N Betweens meet Noddy Holder, on a ferry to Germany, with his band The Memphis Cutouts. ('N Betweens travelling to Dortmund & Noddy travelling to Cologne/Frankfurt).
Noddy Holder joins The 'N Betweens (Powell, Hill, Lea, Holder and Howells)
The 'N Betweens first performance without Johnny Howells - Park Ballroom, Plymouth
The 'N Betweens release "You Better Run" single on Columbia Records
The 'N Betweens spend a week at the Star Palast in Kiel, Germany (Paul Raven aka Gary     Glitter - takes pity on the starving band and buys them food)​
The 'N Betweens fly to the Bahamas to spend an eight week stint (which lasted 3 ½ months - because of the $35k hotel bill - which was never paid) at The Tropicana Club
The 'N Betweens announce name change to Ambrose Slade (w.e.f. 1 January 1969)
Name change to Ambrose Slade takes place
Ambrose Slade switch agents to the Anita Anderson Agency
The band spend a week at the Phillips Studio in Stanhope Gate, London
Chas Chandler sees the 'N Betweens perform at Rasputins Club, New Bond Street
Ambrose Slade release "Genesis" / "Roach Daddy" single on Fontana Records
Ambrose Slade release "Beginnings" album on Fontana Records
Ambrose Slade shorten their name to just Slade
Slade release "Wild Winds Are Blowing" / "One Way Hotel" single on Fontana Records
Slade release "Shape Of Things To Come" / "C'mon C'Mon" single on Fontana Records
Slade release "Know Who You Are" / "Dapple Rose" single on Polydor Records
Slade release "Play It Loud" album on Polydor Records
Slade release "Get Down And Get With It" / "Gospel According To Rasputin" single on Polydor Records
Slade release "Coz I Luv You" / "My Life Is Natural"  single on Polydor Records
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Performing "Coz I Love You" on Top Of The Pops

28 January 1972
24 March 1972
26 May 1972
25 August 1972

1 September 1972
1 November 1972
17 November 1972
7 January 1973

Slade release "Look Wot You Dun" / "Candidate" on Polydor Records
Slade release "Slade Alive" album on Polydor Records
Slade release "Take Me Bak 'Me" / "Wonderin' Y" single on Polydor Records
Slade release "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" / Man Who Speaks Evil" single on Polydor Records
"Mama Weer All Crazee Now" enters the UK Charts at #2
Slade release "Slayed?" album on Polydor Records
Slade release "Gudbuy T'Jane" / "I Won't Let It 'Appen Agen" single on Polydor Records
Slade play the London Palladium (to celebrate Britain's entry into Europe)
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NME front page - about Palladium gig
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London Palladium gig - 7 Jan 1973
23 February 1973

27 February 1973
22 June 1973

26 June 1973
1 July 1973
4 July 1973

8 July 1973
29 July 1973
28 September 1973
2 October 1973
7 December 1973
11 December 1973
4 January 1974
15 February 1974
29 March 1974
19 April 1974
18 May 1974
28 June 1974
11 October 1974
29 November 1974
7 February 1975
13 February 1975
Slade release "Cum On Feel The Noize" / "I'm Mee, I'm Now and That's Orl" single on Polydor Records
"Cum On Feel The Noize" enters the UK Charts at #1 (and stays at #1 for 4 weeks)
Slade release "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me" / "Kill 'Em At The Hot Club Tonite" single on Polydor Records
"Skweeze Me Pleeze Me" enters the UK Charts at #1 (and stays at #1 for 3 weeks)
Slade concert at Earl's Court, London - audience 18,000
Don's white Bentley crashes in Compton Road, Wolverhampton seriously injuring Don and killing girlfriend, Angela Morris
Frank Lea covers for Don on drums at Palace Lido, Douglas, Isle of Man, show
Frank Lea covers for Don on drums at second Palace Lido, Douglas, Isle of Man, show
Slade release "My Friend Stan" / "My Town" single on Polydor Records
"My Friend Stan" enters the UK Charts at #4 (and climbs to #2 the following week)
Slade release "Merry Xmas Everybody" / "My Town" single on Polydor records
"Merry Xmas Everybody" enters the UK Charts at #1 (and stays there for 5 weeks)
Wolverhampton inquest jury returns "open" verdict on Don's car crash
Slade release "Old, New, Borrowed and Blue" album on Polydor Records
Slade release "Everyday" / Good Time Gals" single on Polydor Records
28 day UK Tour starts at Bradford St George's Hall
UK Tour ends after third show at London's Hammersmith Odeon
Slade release "The Bangin' Man" / She Did It To Me" single on Polydor Records
Slade release "Far Far Away" / "O.K.Yesterday Was Yesterday" on Polydor Records
Slade release "Slade In Flame" album on Polydor Records
Slade release "How Does It Feel" / "So Far So Good" single on Polydor Records
Slade In Flame movie has it's London Premiere at the Metropole Cinema in Victoria
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Slade In Flame - London screenings 1975
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London Premiere - 13 February 1975
18 April 1975
9 May 1975

End June 1975
5 July 1975
21 July 1975

12 September 1975
14 November 1975
Late November 1975

30 January 1976
5 March 1976
1 April 1976
9 April 1976
Jan 1977
21 March 1977
7 April 1977
1 May 1977
Slade commence 18 Date UK Tour at Bournemouth Winter Gardens
Slade release "Thanks For The Memory" / "Raining Down In My Champagne" on Polydor Records
Slade fly to New York - they emigrate to the USA for 2 years
US Tour commences at South Bend, Indiana
Slade perform free concert at Wollman Skating Rink in Central Park (Schaeffer Beer Festival)
Slade In Flame movie premieres in USA at the Ambassadore Theatre, St Louis
Slade release "In For A Penny" / "Can You Just Imagaine" on Polydor Records
Slade return to UK for two weeks to promote "In For A Penny" - they perform on Top Of The Pops and Supersonic
Slade release "Let's Call It Quits" / "When The Chips Are Down" on Polydor Records
Slade release "Nobody's Fools" album on Polydor Records
Slade celebrate their 10th Anniversary with a party at Quince in Marylebone, London
Slade release "Nobody's Fool" / "LA Jinx" single on Polydor Records
Slade release "Gypsy Roadhog" / "Forest Full Of Needles" single on Barn Records
Slade release "Whatever Happened To Slade" album on Barn Records
Slade release " Burning In The Heat Of Love" / "Ready Steady Kids" on Barn Records
Slade commence 11 date British Tour at Colston Hall, Bristol
Picture
1977 Tour Flyer
Picture
Backstage at The Rainbow, London - 1977
17 October 1977
March 1978
17 March 1977
15 April 1978
18 April 1978
23 September 1978
6 October 1978
30 October 1978
29 November 1978
Slade release "My Baby Left Me" / "O.H.M.S" on Barn Records
Slade release "Give Us A Goal" / "Daddio" on Barn Records
Slade commence 20 date British Tour at Andover Coutry Bumkin Club
Slade complete British Tour by playing Hammersmith Odeon, London
Slade add another 8 UK dates - commencing with Aberystwyth University
2nd British Tour of the year commences at Chatham Central Hall
Slade release "Rock n Roll Bolero" / "It's Alright Buy Me" single on Barn Records
Slade play the London Music Machine for the first time
Slade play at The Great British Music Festival at Wembley Arena with The Jam
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The Great British Music Festival Poster
Picture
Sounds - 28 October 1978
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Ginny Ginny on yellow vinyl - 1978
18 May 1979
1 October 1979
3 October 1979
20 October
22 November 1979
29 November 1979
28 February 1980
25 March 1980
June 1980
12 June 1980
28 June 1980
Slade release "Ginny Ginny" / "Dizzy Mama" single on Barn Records
Slade release "Return To Base" album on Barn Records
20 Date British Tour commences at Cardiff University
British Tour ends with date at the Music Machine, London
Slade release "Sign Of The Times"/"Not Tonight Josephine" single on Barn Records
Slade do four London Christmas Concerts - starting at the Thames Polytechnic
11 Date British Tour commences at Watford Town Hall
British Tour finishes at Jersey Behans Club
"Night Starvation" released by Slade on a "Six Of The Best" EP
13 Date British Tour commences at the Birmingham Cedar Club
British tour ends at West Runton Pavilion
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Sue Wilkinson on TOTPs
Picture
Don with Sue on TOTPs - August 1980
Picture
Reading Festival 1980

August 1980

24 August 1980
25 September 1980
19 October 1980
7 November 1980
27 November 1980
22 December 1980
16 January 1981
23 January 1981

26 January 1981
19 February 1981
10 March 1981
13 March 1981

Don plays drums for Sue Wilkinson on Top Of The Pops "You've Gotta Be A Hustler If You Want To Get On".
Slade play the Reading Festival - replacing Blizzard Of Oz (Ozzy Osbourne's band)
17 Date British Tour commences at Webbington Club, Weston-super-Mare
British Tour ends at Lyceum Ballroom, London (supported by U2)
Slade release "Slade Smashes" album on Polydor records
21 Date British Tour commences at Cromwells, Norwich
British Tour ends at Grimsby Central Hall
10 Date British Tour commences at Guildford Surrey University
Slade release "We'll Bring The House Down" / "Hold On To Your Hats" single on Cheapskate Records
British Tour ends at Hammersmith Odeon, London
17 Date British Tour commences at Hanley, Victoria Hall
British Tour ends at Southampton Gaumont
Slade release "We'll Bring The House Down" album on Cheapskate Records
Picture
Onstage - March 1981
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Slade - 1981
Picture
Tour T-Shirt - 1981
27 March 1981

20 April 1981
4 May 1981
15 May 1981
25 May 1981
28 May 1981
22 August 1981

31 May 1981
4 September 1981
3 December 1981
20 December 1981
Slade release "Wheel's Ain't Coming Down" / "Not Tonight Josephine" single on Cheapskate Records
11 Date Swiss / German tour commences in Volkhaus, Zurich
Swiss / German tour ends at Kongreshalle, Saarbrucken
Slade release "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" / "I'm Mad" on Cheapskate Records
5 Date mini tour commences at Oxford New Theatre
Slade play the Lochem Festival in Holland (with The Kinks and The Stray Cats)
Slade play the Monsters of Rock Festival at Castle Donington (with AC/DC, Whitesnake and Blue Oyster Cult)
Slade headline the Wolverhampton Fiesta Concert at Monmore Green
Slade release "Lock Up Your Daughters" / "Sign Of The Times" single on RCA
15 Date British Tour commences at West Runton Pavilion
British Tour ends at Hammersmith Odeon
Picture
Ruby Red single - 1982
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Ruby Red single - 1982
Picture
Tour programme - 1982
19 March 1982  
2 April 1982  
23 March 1982
April 1982

12 November 1982

11 December 1982
13 December 1982
20 December 1982
11 November 1983
28 November 1983
3 December 1983
18 December 1983

24 December 1983
27 January 1984
19 March 1984
28 March 1984
24 April 1984
12 May 1984
Spring 1984
Spring 1984
13 May 1984
5 November 1984
6 December 1984
11 British Tour commences at Oxford Apollo
British Tour ends at Bristol Colston Hall
Slade release "Ruby Red" / "Funk Punk & Junk" single on RCA Records
Slade release "Rock and Roll Preacher" / "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" single in Germany only on RCA Records
Slade release "(And Now The Waltz) C'est La Vie" / "Merry Xmas Everybody (Live & Kickin') single on RCA Records
Slade release "Slade On Stage" album on RCA Records
6 Date British Tour commences at St Austell, Cornish Leisure World
British Tour ends with concert at Birmingham Odeon
Slade release "My Oh My" / "Keep Your Hands Of My Power Supply" single on RCA
Slade's last ever 13 British tour commences at Aberystwyth King's Hall (orig band)
Slade release "The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome" album on RCA
Slade's last ever 13 Date British Tour (with original line- up) ends at Liverpool Royal Court Theatre
Slade's "My Oh My" stuck at No2 in UK Charts (Flying Pickets "Only You" is No1)
Slade release "Run Runaway" / "Two Track Stereo, One Way Mind" single on RCA
Don flies with the Slade road-crew to Lubbock - for US Dates / promotion
Slade play Cow Palace, San Francisco - the last full gig with the original line-up
25 date tour, supporting Ozzy Osbourne - due to start in Toronto is cancelled
Slade release "Slade's Greats" album on Polydor Records
Whilst in USA Don uses Maple Wood Ludwig kit (hired)
"Run Runaway" reaches No20 in the Billboard Hot 100 (Slade's biggest US hit)
Slade perform at the Montreaux Music Festival inFrance
Slade release "All Join Hands" / "Here's To.." single on RCA Records
Feel The Noize! biography written by Chris Charlesworth - published on Omnibus
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Manchester Apollo - 1982
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March 1984
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14 January 1985
1 March 1985
11 March 1985
29 March 1985
April 1985
18 November 1985
18 November 1985
January 1986
Spring 1986
2 February 1987
20 April 1987
27 April 1987
27 July 1987
July 1987
20 November 1987
Slade release "7 Year Bitch" / "Leave Them Girls Alone" single on RCA Records
23 date UK Tour including 3 dates at Hammersmith & Birmingham Odeons - cancelled
Slade release "Myzsterious Mizster Jone"/"Mama Nature Is A Rocker" on RCA Records
Slade release "Rogues Gallery" album on RCA Records
Slade release "Little Sheila"/"Time To Rock" single in Canada, USA and Germany
Slade release "Do You Believe In Miracles"/"My Oh My" (Swing version) single on RCA
Slade release "Slade Crackers" album on Telstar Records
Slade presented with Gold Disc for 100,000 sales of "Slade Crackers" in the UK
Don makes solo recording of "Let There Be Drums" (never released)
Slade release "Still The Same" /  "Gotta Go Home" single on RCA Records
Slade release "That's What Friends Are For"/"Wild Wild Party" single on RCA Records
Slade release "You Boyz Make Big Noize" album on RCA Records
Slade release "You Boyz Make Big Noize"/"Boyz Instrumental" single on Cheapskate
Slade release "Ooh La La in LA"/"Don't Talk To Me About Love" single on CBS in USA
Slade release "We Won't Give In"/"Oh La La in LA" single on Cheapskate Records
Picture
Slade perform "You Boyz" on Get Fresh - 15 8 87
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You Boyz Make Big Noize - 1987
15 November 1988
March 1991
5 April 1991
5 April 1991
6 April 1991
7 October 1991
11 November 1991
November 1991
2 December 1991
7 December 1991
December 1993
"Let's Dance" / "Standing On The Corner" single released on Cheapskate Records
Slade release "The Slade Collection 81-87" album on BMG Records
Slade exhibition opens at Walsall Town Hall
Don and Dave Hill perform charity concert at Kidderminster Town Hall
Slade celebrate 25 years together at the Walsall Town Hall (Fan Club Convention)
"Radio Wall Of Sound" / "Lay Your Love On The Line" single released on Polydor
Slade release "Wall Of Hits" album on Polydor Records
"Wall Of Hits" receives a Silver Disc - certified by BPI
"Universe" / "Red Hot" / "Merry Xmas Everybody" single released on Polydor
Fan Club Convention - Wulfrun Hall, North St, Wolverhampton
Slade release "The Slade Collection Vol 2 79-87"  album on BMG Records
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Press Photo - 1991
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Press photo - 1991
11 December 1992
December 1992
Spring 1993
1 May 1993
November 1993
1994
1995
1995
3 March 1996
17 July 1996
22 July 1996
December 1996
20 December 1996
February 1997
November 1998
1998
23 December 1999
2002
September 2002
10 September 2002

November 2002

Don and Dave Hill perform their first gig as "Slade II" - Umea, Sweden 
Slade II line-up: Powell, Hill, Steve Whalley, Steve Makin, Craig Fenney
Slade II complete first Australian Tour since 1974
Slade II perform their first UK concert - at Fantails, Woking
Slade II release "Hold On To Love" / "Red Hot" single on Play That Beat! Records
Slade II release "Keep On Rockin' " album on Play That Beat! Records
Slade II release "Hot Luv" / "Wild Nites" single on Columbia Records in Europe only
Slade II release "Black & White World" single on Columbia Records in Europe only
Pre-Slade groups release "The Genesis of Slade" album on TMC Records
Previous Slade manager Chas Chandler dies of an aortic aneurysm
The original Slade re-unite at Chas Chandler's funeral at St George's Church, Cullercoats
The original Slade reunite for the recording of Noddy's "This Is Your Life" in Manchester
ITV's This Is Your Life (Noddy Holder) is broadcast
Slade release "Greatest Hits - Feel The Noize compilation album on Polydor
Slade vs Flush "Merry Xmas Everybody '98 Remix" single released on Polydor
Dave Glover joins Slade II on bass guitar - Steve Makin and Craig Fenney leave the band
The "It's Slade" documentary is screened on BBC1
Slade II shorten their name to Slade
Slade release "Some Exercise" single on Virgin Records in Belgium
The original Slade re-unite to receive Honorary Fellowships from the University of Wolverhampton
Slade release "Take Me Home" / "Black & White World" single on Virgin Records in Belgium

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Koko flyer - 18 December 2011
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Koko - 18 December 2011
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Koko - 18 December 2011
25 November 2002
Jan/Feb 2003
23 March 2004
June 2005
28 November 2005
2 October 2006
2006-2007
5 March 2007
28 September 2009
29 November 2009
18 December 2011
7 November 2012
15 December 2012
4 October 2013
14 October 2013
29 October 2013
21 December 2013
17 January 2014
1 March 2014
16 May 2014
15 November 2014
20 January 2017
​3 February 2017
14 February 2017
​28 December 2018
Dec/Jan/Feb 2018/19
​1 November 2019

​November 2019

​3 February 2020
Slade release "Cum On Let's Party" album on Virgin Records
John Berry joins Slade on bass guitar/violin - Dave Glover leaves the band
Slade release US "Get Yer Boots On - The Best of Slade" album on Shout! Factory
Mal Nulty joins Slade on vocals/guitar - Steve Whalley leaves the band
Slade release "The Very Best of... Slade" compilation album on Universal Music
Slade release "The Slade Box" compilation on Salvo Records
Salvo remaster and re-release Slade's back-catalogue on CD
Slade release "B - Sides" compilation album on Salvo
Slade release "Live at the BBC" album on Salvo Records
Slade release "Merry Xmas Everybody - Party Hits" album on Universal Music
Slade return to play the Music Machine - now called Koko - in Camden Town, London
Slade commence 22 date UK Tour at Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall
Slade UK Tour closes at Newcastle, Sage Theatre
First biography book signing and charity Tea with Don Powell" event in Wolverhampton
Publication date for Don's biography "Look Wot I Dun - My Life In Slade" on Omnibus
Slade commence 23 date UK Tour at the Swan Theatre, High Wycombe
Slade UK Tour closes at Salisbury City Hall
Don records session with Ela Roxx in Oldenburg, Germany
Don in the UK for book signing at the Merry Hill Centre in Dudley
Don spends weekend at BMF Festival event in Peterborough, UK
Don does "Audience with..." talk at 'Louder Than Words' festival in Manchester
Don joins together with Suzi Quatro and Andy Scott and releases QSP CD
QSP play their first ever gig at Twin Towns, Tweed Heads, Australia & commence tour
QSP play monumental gig at the Sydney Opera House on Valentine's Day 2017.
Don has an accident at Peterborough station - he snaps tendons in both legs.
​Don receives treatment and is hospitalised in Peterborough for 5 weeks.
​After recovery for months Don returns to stage with Slade at Horsens Denmark - performing three songs.
Don performs more gigs in Docken and Malmo - the Malmo gig on 3 November 2019 will be the last time he appears onstage with Dave Hill.
Don announces he has left Slade and is forming a new band Don Powell's Slade with Craig Fenney.
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TO PURCHASE THE NEW PAPERBACK EDITION OF THE BOOK
'LOOK WOT I DUN - MY LIFE IN SLADE' by DON POWELL & LISE LYNG FALKENBERG
FROM AMAZON - CLICK HERE
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www.donpowellofficial.com 
Copyright Donald George Powell 2019