So Here It Is

How the Boy From Wolverhampton Rocked the World With Slade

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Pub Date 16 Nov 2017 | Archive Date 2 Feb 2018

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Description

‘No Slade = No Oasis. It’s as devastating and as simple as that’ Noel Gallagher

Slade’s music and style dominated and defined the 1970s. With six consecutive number one singles they were the UK’s number one group and sold millions of records all over the world. At their peak, Slade enjoyed success and adulation not seen since The Beatles. Now, for the first time, the man whose outlandish costumes, glittering make-up and unmistakable hairstyle made Slade the definitive act of Glam Rock tells his story.

Growing up in a council house in 1950s Wolverhampton, Dave always knew he wanted to be a musician and in the mid-sixties, with Don Powell, founded the band that in 1970 would settle on the name Slade. Their powerful guitar-driven anthems formed the soundtrack for a whole generation, and their Top of the Pops performances, led by their flamboyant, ever-smiling lead guitarist, became legendary.

But So Here It Is reveals that there’s much more to Dave’s life than Top of the Pops and good times. Packed with previously unseen personal photos, the book uncovers surprising family secrets, tells the inside story of the original band’s painful break-up, explores Dave’s battles with depression, his decision to reform Slade and go back on the road and his recovery from the stroke that threatened to cut short his career.

Told with great heart and humour, So Here It Is is the story of the irresistible rise of Dave Hill, Superyob; the definitive account of his journey from working-class lad to global rock star.

‘No Slade = No Oasis. It’s as devastating and as simple as that’ Noel Gallagher

Slade’s music and style dominated and defined the 1970s. With six consecutive number one singles they were the UK’s...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781783524204
PRICE £20.00 (GBP)
PAGES 288

Average rating from 16 members


Featured Reviews

I loved Slade when they hit my consciousness as a glam rock obsessed 10 year old, so I was delighted to receive a review copy of ‘So Here It Is: How the Boy From Wolverhampton Rocked the World With Slade’ by Slade’s guitarist, and legendary Super Yob, Dave Hill.

A few years back I read, and really enjoyed, ‘Look Wot I Dun: My Life In Slade’ by Slade’s drummer Don Powell, so the parts of this book which deal with Slade’s history were already quite familiar.

That said, both books are also extremely personal, and say as much about their writers’ personal issues as Slade’s career. Dave Hill has had to contend with a lot over the years, and he writes frankly about his Mum’s mental health issues, his own depression, his stroke, and much more.

Anyone who knows and loves Slade, knows that Dave Hill is first and foremost an entertainer. He was as much a focal point for the band as original singer Noddy Holder. This gregarious and outgoing aspect of his personality shines through in this book, even when he relates the darker aspects of his life and times.

It’s a fascinating read and shows that behind the scenes the band have never really had it easy. Dave Hill emerges as thoroughly likeable, down-to-earth man and his philosophical musings at the book’s conclusion are genuinely inspirational. His life has been characterised by some incredible highs and lows, and this book does them all justice. A very enjoyable read for anyone but, if you’re a Slade fan, it’s essential reading.

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So here it is : the story of the guitarist Dave Hill from Slade a band formed in the black country area of the west midlands who talks about growing in the Warstones area of Wolverhampton (in the same council estate where later caitlin Moran grew up).
talks openly about his mother mental health problems and how he feared later on in life he maybe going the same way and how to a degree it was hard work and luck which helped slade become a big band. Interesting how he discusses life after the Original slade with his own health problems and a very close family.
overall the book is quite open and humble gives an insight into slade

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This is a great look at the history of one of Rock n Rolls greatest treasures. Foot stomping, clapping, and platform boots!

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Having grown up in the 70's it was great to relive some of my fond memories from that era by reading this biography by Dave Hill who was the guitarist in top pop group Slade, the top British group for a short while. Dave Hill was always a colourful character and was responsible for much of the fun side and showmanship of the group. This book made me remember a lot of the fun times of that era but also made me more aware of the goings on behind the scenes. It was interesting to read of the bands success but also of Dave's depression and subsequent stroke which threatened to end his career. This is an excellent read for people of a certain age group and an excellent insight into not only the success of the group but also the struggles.
I would like to thank Net Galley for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I have to admit that I didn’t really like Slade very much in their heyday - it’s taken me about 40 years to appreciate how good they actually were - and so I was interested to read Dave Hill’s biography in the role of someone who wasn’t strictly a fan and who didn’t know a lot about the band.

It is a great read - entertaining and good humoured - and Mr Hill comes across as a well adjusted rock survivor and a decent human being. I will be paying him a lot more attention in future when watching re-runs of Top of the Pops and other 70’s music shows.

Many thanks to Mr Hill, to Unbound and to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

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I grew up with Slade and the Glam rock scene and loved it all, all the flamboyancy of the clothes and performers, so it was great to read Dave Hill's autobiography as it brought it all back.
Dave comes over as a very down to earth person, he writes honestly about his mother's illness and his own, and he's a very family orientated guy.
It's nice to read a 'celebrity autobiography' by someone who doesn't seem to be affected by the fame.
Highly recommend.

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