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Slade Alive!
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| Slade Alive! | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | 24 March 1972 | |||
| Recorded | 19–21 October 1971 | |||
| Venue | Command Studios, 201 Piccadilly, London W1 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:00 | |||
| Label | Polydor (UK/US) | |||
| Producer | Chas Chandler | |||
| Slade chronology | ||||
| ||||
Slade Alive! is the first live album by the British rock band Slade. The album was released on 24 March 1972 and reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, remaining in the chart for 58 weeks.[1] It was Slade's first album to enter the UK charts and the first to enter the Billboard 200 in the United States, where it reached No. 158. The album was produced by Chas Chandler.
Slade Alive! contains three original songs, plus cover versions of songs by Ten Years After, The Lovin' Spoonful, Bobby Marchan, and Steppenwolf. It was recorded live at Command Theatre Studio and mixed at Olympic Studios.[2]
Today, the album has been considered one of the greatest live albums of all time.[3] Kiss, who were heavily influenced by Slade, would title their 1975 live album Alive! as a homage to Slade Alive!.[4][5]
Background
[edit]Having made their UK breakthrough with the hits "Get Down and Get With It", "Coz I Luv You" and "Look Wot You Dun", Slade decided that the best way to break into the album charts would be to capture their live sound on record. In October 1971, the band played three consecutive nights at London's Command Theatre Studio in front of an audience. The three nights cost £600 to record.
"Our manager, Chas Chandler, had come up with the idea of us doing a live album, because he'd been Jimi Hendrix's manager and he'd seen how some of Hendrix's live performances had been turning points in his career. So we booked a little studio-cum-theatre on Piccadilly for three nights: the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The bulk of the album was from the Wednesday night, which was mayhem. 'Coz I Luv You' was number one, and we'd come straight from doing Top of the Pops. We were still wearing our clobber from the telly, and we went pretty much straight onstage… Our aim onstage was to hit the crowd between the eyes and grab them by the balls." – Noddy Holder[6]
Initially Chandler rejected Command Studio's mix of the album, which was completed in conjunction with the band. He remixed the tapes himself, but the band rejected that version and went back to their own original mix. Prior to the album's release, "Hear Me Calling" was released as a promotional single in February 1972, with "Get Down With It" as the B-Side. The release was limited to 500 copies.[7]
Issued in March 1972, Slade Alive! reached number two in the UK. In Australia, it reached No. 1 and was the biggest-selling album since The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967).[8][9]
Release
[edit]In its original LP vinyl format, the album was issued in a gatefold sleeve which revealed a huge cartoon drawing on the inside. This drawing was the winning entry in a competition run in The Sun newspaper to design the album cover.[citation needed] In Israel, Italy, and certain editions in the Netherlands and France, the front cover used the inner gatefold artwork instead.[citation needed]
In 1978, the album was given a German release as a double-pack LP with a gatefold sleeve, paired with the Slade Alive, Vol. 2.[10] It received its first CD release in 1991, which was digitally remastered by Lea.[11] In 2006, it was included as part of the Salvo two-disc live compilation Slade Alive! – The Live Anthology.[12] Salvo re-issued it on vinyl in 2009 and on CD in 2011.[13][14] In 2017, BMG released a deluxe edition to celebrate its 45th anniversary. It was issued on vinyl with a 6-page insert and art card, and on CD with a 28-page booklet.[15] In December 2021, BMG reissued the album on splatter vinyl.
Promotion
[edit]As a major part of promotion for the album, the band did a UK tour in May.[16]
On the UK Granada Television, the band performed a 'Set of Six' show on 13 June 1972. This filmed set featured a similar set to Slade Alive!, the tracks in order being "Hear Me Calling", "Look Wot You Dun", "Darling Be Home Soon", "Coz I Luv You", "Get Down and Get With It" and "Born To Be Wild".
Song information
[edit]"Hear Me Calling", a cover of the 1969 song by Ten Years After, was originally planned as Slade's follow-up single to their 1971 breakthrough hit "Get Down and Get With It". However, the band couldn't better the song in the studio and the idea was dropped. In 2011, the vinyl acetate containing the studio version appeared as a bonus track on the 2011 Salvo remaster of Sladest.[17] In a 1981 interview, drummer Don Powell said of "In Like a Shot from My Gun": "It was originally meant to be put down in the studio. But after we recorded it for Slade Alive!, we didn't think that we could do it any more justice by doing it in the studio - as it's basically a live number."[18][19]
"Darling Be Home Soon", a cover of the 1967 song by The Lovin' Spoonful, notably features Holder burping into the microphone. In 2000, he admitted on The Frank Skinner Show that the burp was accidental as the band had a lot to drink before performing, and that from then on he continued to do the burp whenever the song was performed as audiences were left "disappointed" otherwise.[20] "Know Who You Are" is an original song which originally appeared on the band's 1970 album Play It Loud.[21] "Get Down With It" is a cover of the 1965 Bobby Marchan song. Aside from being Slade's breakthrough hit, it was regularly featured as part of the band's live set for the band's entire live career. "Born to be Wild", a cover of the 1968 song by Steppenwolf, was originally recorded in the studio by Slade for their 1969 debut Beginnings.[22]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B+[24] |
Upon release, Record Mirror felt the "rocking album" was a "good quality live recording". They added: "The excitement of the group and crowd has been captured well".[25] New Musical Express said: "Slade Alive! is just what it implies. If you've ever been to one of their noisy gigs, you'll know exactly what I mean."[26][27] The album would later be rated No. 2 in the magazine's Top 10 albums of 1972.[28] Melody Maker commented: "Because it was recorded in a studio proper, before an audience, they've achieved the kind of balance and sound not often heard on a live recording."[26][27]
Gregor Vaule of Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph felt the album "crammed" much of the band's "famous in-person excitement", adding: "The LP thunders in on Alvin Lee's "Hear Me Calling" and from that point on there is never a dull moment."[29] Mike Diana of Daily Press Newport News described the album as a "real toe tapper", adding: "The boys play a frenetic kind of rock 'n' roll that features screaming lyrics, monosimple rhythms and buzzing guitars."[30] Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times commented on the band's "forceful, celebrative nature" and concluded: "As with any band worth its rock 'n' roll shoes, Slade Alive sounds better the louder you play it."[31] Rich Aregood of the Philadelphia Daily News described the album as "eminently enjoyable", noting: "...Slade is something else again. A loud, rude, and exciting flatout rock-and-roll band that could even get Pat Nixon tapping her toe."[32]
In 1991, Q described the album as "distinctly heavy" with a "laddish rock style". They concluded: "It's just fun and beers all the way." In 2010, Classic Rock considered the album "superior: reputation cementing". AllMusic commented: "Slade showed why they were one of England's best live acts with this fevered concert recording. Set alight by plenty of stomping beats, lumbering bass, fat guitars, and Noddy Holder's hoarse vocal scream, Slade Alive! finds the lads from Wolverhampton goading on their rabid fans at every juncture."[23]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hear Me Calling" | Alvin Lee | 5:46 |
| 2. | "In Like a Shot from My Gun" | Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Don Powell | 3:33 |
| 3. | "Darling Be Home Soon" | John Sebastian | 5:43 |
| 4. | "Know Who You Are" | Holder, Lea, Dave Hill, Powell | 3:37 |
| No. | Title | Writer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Keep on Rocking" | Holder, Lea, Hill, Powell | 6:29 |
| 6. | "Get Down and Get with It" | Bobby Marchan | 5:33 |
| 7. | "Born to Be Wild" | Mars Bonfire | 8:12 |
Personnel
[edit]Slade
- Noddy Holder – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Dave Hill – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Lea – bass, backing vocals
- Don Powell – drums
Additional personnel
- Chas Chandler – producer
- Barry Ainsworth – recording engineer
- Alan O'Duffy – mixing engineer
- Derek Robinson – artwork
- Chris Walter – photography (front)
- M. Webb – artwork (sleeve inner)
- Tambourine on "Know Who You Are" was played by an unknown member of the audience
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1972–1973) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[33] | 1 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[34] | 8 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[35] | 77 |
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[36] | 5 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[37] | 25 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[38] | 18 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[39] | 2 |
| US Billboard 200[40] | 158 |
| US Cash Box Top Albums (101 to 165)[41] | 105 |
| US Record World The Album Chart[42] | 96 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Slade | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Database and Marketplace for Music on Vinyl, CD, Cassette, MP3 and More". discogs. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ 31. Slade - Slade Alive (1972). "The Greatest Live Album of All Time". Planet Rock. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Simmons, Gene (2002). Kiss and Make-up. Three Rivers Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-609-81002-2.
- ^ Ken Sharpe interview with Jim Lea
- ^ "Live albums". Classic Rock supplement: The Live Albums That Changed The World. December 2011. p. 11.
- ^ "Slade - Hear Me Calling / Get Down With It - Polydor - UK - 2814 008". 45cat. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "3949261_orig.JPG (572x800 pixels)". sladefanclub.weebly.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Slade Fan Club Newsletter April - May 1973
- ^ "Slade - Slade Alive! (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Slade - Slade Alive! (CD, Album) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Slade - Slade Alive! (CD) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Slade - Slade Alive! (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Slade - Slade Alive! (CD, Album) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Slade: Slade Alive! Deluxe Edition on PledgeMusic". Pledgemusic.com. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ Charlesworth, Chris (1984). Slade, Feel the Noize!: an Illustrated Biography. London: Omnibus Press. p. 38. ISBN 0-7119-0538-X.
- ^ Sladest Salvo Remaster 2011 Booklet Notes
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Slade Supporters Club Newsletter May - June 1981
- ^ "The Frank Skinner Show (1995– ) : Episode #4.10". IMDb.com. 6 December 2000. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
- ^ "Vinyl Album - Slade - Play It Loud - Polydor - UK". 45worlds.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ "Vinyl Album - Ambrose Slade - Beginnings - Fontana - UK". 45worlds.com. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ a b Stephen Cook. "Slade Alive! - Slade | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: S". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 12 March 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Record Mirror Magazine 1 April 1972
- ^ a b "2746010_orig.JPG (523x800 pixels)". sladefanclub.weebly.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ a b Slade Fan Club Newsletter June - July 1972
- ^ NME magazine 30 December 1972
- ^ Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph newspaper - Record Rap - Gregor Vaule (music director KYSN) - 2 September 1972
- ^ Daily Press Newport News - John McLaughlin Amazing - Mike Diana - 17 September 1972
- ^ Los Angeles Times - Slade album brings fun back to rock - Robert Hilburn - 26 November 1972
- ^ Philadelphia Daily News - Help Yourself, Slade - Worthwhile Music - Rich Aregood - 23 September 1972
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 277. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Slade – Slade Alive!" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Image 4236". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Slade". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 237. ISBN 978-952-7460-01-6.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Slade – Slade Alive!" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Slade – Slade Alive!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart on 2/7/1972 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Slade Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Albums: 101 to 165". Cash Box. Vol. 34, no. 21. 11 November 1972. p. 38. ISSN 0008-7289.
- ^ "The Album Chart". Record World. Vol. 27, no. 1326. 18 November 1972. p. 32.
Slade Alive!
View on GrokipediaBackground and recording
Background
Slade originated in Wolverhampton, England, forming in 1966 as the N' Betweens, a group comprising Noddy Holder (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Hill (lead guitar), Jim Lea (bass and violin), and Don Powell (drums), who had been playing together in various local configurations since the early 1960s.[8] By 1969, the band rebranded as Ambrose Slade and secured a deal with Fontana Records, releasing their debut album Beginnings that year, which featured original material alongside covers but failed to achieve commercial success. Shortly thereafter, the group shortened their name to Slade and signed with Polydor Records under the management of Chas Chandler, the former Animals bassist who had previously produced the Jimi Hendrix Experience and recognized the band's raw potential.[8] In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Slade cultivated a distinctive skinhead image—characterized by cropped hair, boots, and working-class attire—to set themselves apart in the rock scene, a deliberate strategy by Chandler to appeal to a youth subculture and differentiate from prevailing trends.[9] This aesthetic resonated during their energetic live shows, which built a dedicated fanbase through relentless touring at clubs and theaters across the UK in 1971, where audiences responded enthusiastically to their high-octane, boisterous performances blending covers and originals.[8] Their early single "Get Down and Get With It," a cover of Little Richard's "Get Down with It" released in May 1971, peaked at No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart, marking their first top 40 hit and underscoring their growing live reputation while exposing limitations in their studio recordings.[10] Recognizing that Slade's studio efforts had not fully conveyed their onstage vitality—despite the band's rising popularity through gigs—Chandler advocated for a live album to authentically capture their skinhead-fueled energy and raw appeal, drawing from his successful experiences producing live recordings for acts like the Jimi Hendrix Experience.[8] This decision aimed to bridge the gap between their electrifying club and theater appearances, which had fostered a loyal following amid the glam rock emergence, and their recorded output, positioning Slade Alive! as a pivotal showcase of their unpolished charisma.[9]Recording
The recording of Slade Alive! took place over three consecutive nights from 19 to 21 October 1971 at London's Command Theatre Studio (now known as CBS Studios) in Piccadilly, where the band performed to an invited audience of approximately 100 to 200 fan club members to simulate a live concert atmosphere.[3][11][12] Producer and manager Chas Chandler, formerly of the Animals and Jimi Hendrix's manager, spearheaded the sessions with a hands-on approach, directing the band—Noddy Holder on vocals and rhythm guitar, Dave Hill on lead guitar, Jim Lea on bass and violin, and Don Powell on drums—to replicate their high-energy stage shows as faithfully as possible while capturing the raw essence of their performances.[3][13] The project operated on a tight budget of £600 for the three nights, relying on basic multi-track recording equipment to document the shows without extensive post-production alterations, preserving the unpolished "warts 'n' all" quality that defined Slade's boisterous glam rock style.[3] Chandler emphasized minimal editing to retain the album's authentic live feel, including accidental moments such as Holder's audible burp into the microphone during the cover of "Darling Be Home Soon," which was kept to enhance the spontaneous vibe.[3][14] The small audience size presented a logistical challenge, as it lacked the roar of Slade's larger 1971 tour crowds, but the invited fans provided sufficient energy without needing significant enhancements like overdubbed crowd noise.[12][13] Following the sessions, primarily drawing from the second night's tapes for the final track selection, mixing was completed swiftly to align with the March 1972 release schedule, prioritizing a loud, dynamic sound that amplified the band's rowdy stage presence and raw power.[3][13] This approach ensured the album captured Slade's reputation for electrifying live shows, translating their concert intensity into a studio-recorded format with little interference.[3]Musical content
Song information
Slade Alive! comprises three original songs written by the band—"In Like a Shot from My Gun," "Know Who You Are," and "Keep on Rocking"—alongside four cover versions that draw from their influences in R&B and rock: Ten Years After's "Hear Me Calling," The Lovin' Spoonful's "Darling Be Home Soon," Bobby Marchan's "Get Down and Get With It," and Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild."[2] This selection reflects Slade's evolution from their early skinhead-oriented covers of soul and R&B material to a more expansive live repertoire, emphasizing high-energy performances that bridged working-class roots with emerging glam sensibilities.[15] The arrangements on the album are tailored to the live format, featuring extended jams and improvisations that amplify the songs' dynamics, such as elongated guitar solos from Dave Hill and propulsive bass contributions from Jim Lea. Noddy Holder's charismatic vocals dominate, often incorporating spontaneous ad-libs and direct audience call-and-response interactions, which heighten the communal atmosphere and showcase the band's rowdy stage presence. Don Powell's driving drum patterns underpin the proceedings, providing a relentless rhythm that propels the blend of hard rock riffs, pop hooks, and R&B grooves into a unified glam rock assault.[3][5]Track listing
Slade Alive! is a double-sided vinyl album consisting of seven tracks, three of which are originals by the band and four covers of other artists' songs. The total runtime is approximately 39 minutes.[2][16]| Side | No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | "Hear Me Calling" | Alvin Lee | 5:45 |
| A | 2 | "In Like a Shot from My Gun" | Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Don Powell | 3:33 |
| A | 3 | "Darling Be Home Soon" | John Sebastian | 5:43 |
| A | 4 | "Know Who You Are" | Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Don Powell, Dave Hill | 3:37 |
| B | 1 | "Keep on Rocking" | Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Don Powell, Dave Hill | 6:29 |
| B | 2 | "Get Down and Get with It" | Bobby Marchan | 5:33 |
| B | 3 | "Born to Be Wild" | Mars Bonfire | 8:19 |
Release
Release history
Slade Alive! was originally released on 24 March 1972 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom, with catalogue number 2383 101, as a vinyl LP featuring a gatefold sleeve.[2] The album was issued internationally the same year, including in the United States by Polydor Records under catalogue number PD 5508, and in Australia by Polydor Records, where it achieved significant commercial success by topping the national album chart for 12 weeks.[4][17] The album's first CD reissue came in 1991 from Polydor Records, marking its transition to digital formats while retaining the original track listing.[18] In 2006, Salvo Records released a remastered CD edition, enhancing audio quality for modern listeners.[19] BMG Rights Management issued a deluxe edition in 2017 to commemorate the album's 45th anniversary, presented as a digibook CD with an extensive booklet detailing its historical context, though it remained a single-disc release focused on the core live recordings.[20] A limited-edition red and black splatter vinyl reissue followed in 2022 from BMG, replicating the original gatefold format and appealing to collectors amid renewed interest in analog pressings.[21] Regional variations in pressings were noted, particularly in Australian editions which featured unique matrix etchings and sleeve printing differences compared to the UK version.[4] By the 2010s, the album had been made available on digital streaming platforms including Spotify, broadening its accessibility without major physical reissues in 2024 or 2025, though vinyl demand persisted through specialty retailers.Artwork and packaging
The cover art for Slade Alive! consists of a black-and-white photograph of the band captured in a dynamic concert pose at London's Marquee Club, with frontman Noddy Holder positioned center stage to convey the raw intensity of their live shows.[2] The image, taken by photographer Chris Walter, was processed into a posterized style for a bold, high-contrast effect on the front sleeve.[22] The original 1972 LP release featured an innovative gatefold sleeve, which unfolded to display a large inner spread dominated by cartoon artwork submitted by fans. This inner design, credited to M. Webb, emerged as the winner of a competition organized through The Sun newspaper, where participants created whimsical illustrations including caricatures of the band members and fictional elements like a "Slade fan club" scene with surreal details such as a naked figure adoring a giant teddy bear.[2][23] The packaging incorporated interactive promotion via the artwork, inviting buyers to identify hidden differences in the cartoons for a chance to win prizes.[23] Additional packaging elements included the lyrics to key tracks—"Hear Me Calling," "In Like a Shot from My Gun," "Darling Be Home Soon," and "Keep on Rocking"—alongside production credits printed on the inner sleeve.[2] Subsequent reissues have preserved this original artwork and gatefold format, with the 2017 BMG deluxe 45th anniversary edition expanding the presentation through a digibook CD package containing a 28-page booklet of photographs, liner notes, and contextual essays on the album's creation.[20]Promotion and commercial performance
Promotion
To promote Slade Alive!, the band embarked on a headline UK tour in May 1972, performing in theaters and venues such as Coventry's Locarno Ballroom on 4 May, Bristol University on 5 May, and Bracknell Sports Centre on 6 May, capitalizing on the growing buzz around their live performances.[24] This tour supported the album's release earlier that month and featured packed houses, helping to build anticipation through direct fan engagement.[25] A key television appearance came on 13 June 1972, when Slade performed a six-song set on Granada Television's Set of Six program, filmed at the Granada Studios in Manchester and broadcast to boost the album's visibility.[26] The set included "Hear Me Calling" from Slade Alive!, along with "Look What You Dun" and "Coz I Luv You," mirroring the album's energetic live sound to emphasize the band's authentic stage presence.[27] Cross-promotion with singles played a significant role, particularly the pre-album release hit "Coz I Luv You," which topped the UK charts in October 1971, with interviews and radio plays highlighting the track's role in showcasing the band's raw energy.[28] Radio stations aired extended live cuts from the album to tie into this momentum, while press coverage focused on Slade's unpolished, crowd-pleasing authenticity. Internationally, efforts included promotional visits to Australia, where the album achieved No. 1 status, supported by local radio plays and distribution pushes to leverage the band's rising glam rock appeal. In the US, Polydor Records handled the release with radio and press campaigns, though impact remained limited compared to the UK success.[29] Fan club strategies enhanced grassroots promotion, with the official Slade fan club newsletter for April and May 1972 mailing out tour announcements, posters, and updates on album-related activities to members, fostering direct loyalty and excitement.[30]Chart performance
Slade Alive! entered the UK Albums Chart on 8 April 1972 and peaked at number 2, remaining in the chart for a total of 58 weeks.[6] The album's strong performance was overshadowed only by Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits, which held the number 1 position for much of 1972.) Internationally, the album achieved significant success, particularly in Australia where it reached number 1 on the Kent Music Report for 12 weeks starting in September 1972.[31] It peaked at number 4 in the Netherlands, number 6 in Norway for 8 weeks from August 1972, number 25 in Germany for 10 weeks from August 1972, and number 158 on the US Billboard 200 in November 1972.[31][32] Sales estimates indicate the album sold over 1 million copies worldwide by 1973, with approximately 500,000 units in the UK contributing to its extended chart longevity; however, it received no formal certifications from the BPI or RIAA.[33] The album experienced minor re-entries in the UK charts during the 2000s due to reissues, including a 2006 expanded edition that reached number 191.[34]| Chart (1972–1973) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC) | 2 | 58 |
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) | 1 | 51 |
| Dutch Albums (MegaCharts) | 4 | Unknown |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) | 6 | 8 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 25 | 10 |
| US Billboard 200 | 158 | 10 |
Production and personnel
Production
Slade Alive! was produced by Chas Chandler, the band's manager and former bassist for the Animals, who brought his expertise from producing Jimi Hendrix to emphasize a raw, energetic sound with minimal studio alterations.[35] The recording phase utilized engineer Barry Ainsworth at Command Theatre Studio, where performances were captured live before an invited audience of approximately 100 fans to simulate concert conditions and enhance the authentic atmosphere through natural crowd responses.[36][37] Mixing followed at Olympic Studios under Alan O'Duffy, who focused on preserving the unpolished live essence with no overdubs and careful balancing to maintain dynamic range for the rock genre.[38] No guest musicians contributed. The final mastering optimized the tracks for vinyl release, prioritizing punchy audio suitable for high-volume playback. Art direction was handled by Derek Robinson, overseeing the visual presentation to complement the album's high-energy theme.Personnel
Slade Alive! features performances by the band's classic lineup, with no additional musicians involved. The personnel are:- Noddy Holder – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Dave Hill – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Lea – bass guitar, violin, backing vocals
- Don Powell – drums
