The rather wonderful “Strange Brew” podcast has long been a favourite – interviews with mainly 60s/70s musicians, and not just the famous ones. One of the more ridiculously memorable was an interview with the bass player from the Troggs who has of course written a book. Essential reading…
Anyway the latest is with the drummer from Slade, Don Powell. It brought back memories for me of my time living in London in 1973-74 when Slade were on TOTP just about every week, and with a new single every couple of months.
I’ll put a link to the YT version in the comments but I recommend subscribing to the audio podcast
I also see that there were several interviews with Salde’s bass player and great songwriter Jim Lea
On a school trip to the Science Museum in 1973, our coach was stuck in traffic. Two familiar faces were walking towards us, it was Don Powell and Dave Hill of Slade. The boys were banging on the windows and Don and Dave were laughing. I can’t remember much about the museum but what a thrill it was to see two pop stars.
Do the coach boys always tell ya
That it’s prog rock bands like Yes?
Then they’re up and banging windows with the rest…
So here it is….
Good job it wasn’t David Bowie, the coach would’ve been a complete write off.
Don was the guest on the great Boom Radio programme Choices last Sunday. Well worth a listen.
Ta for the tip on the pod. Subscribed!
Try to see ‘Slade in Flame’ on the big screen… it’s on now, hurry!
Mark Kermode isn’t wrong.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I notice it was directed by Richard Loncraine. He directed Richard III with Ian McKellen, which is a very brilliant film.
Get yourself there, it won’t be at the flicks for long.
I don’t do the flicks, for two reasons.
1. I’m lazy and an introvert and don’t much like going out in the evenings or watching films with other people.
2. I need subtitles.
However, I fully intend to watch it on the big screen from the comfort of my sofa, using my projector. That’s my tomorrow evening all planned!
However you do it, go for it.
I’ve seen it three times in the last week while it is on the big screen. .. sadly, not too many have been at those screenings.
I can’t think why, it’s flawless.
I’m with Kermode, it’s a absolute classic.
Stoker: “Tell you what, Ron – we’ve all ‘ad enough”
Marvellous.
I agree. It’s a classic. Slade’s best songs are here.
One story in the podcast that I liked was about the band recording at the Record Plant in NYC. John Lennon dropped by to say hello to Chas Chandler, Slade’s manager/producer, who he hadn’t seen since The Animals days in the 60s. He heard the band through the studio monitors and said “I like the singer, he sounds like me”