SLADE IN FLAME
At the height of their career in the early ‘70’s Slade’s manager and producer Chas Chandler (bass player in The Animals and former manager of Jimi Hendrix) decided that the band needed to try something new.
The direction he chose was to make a movie and enhance their career even further.
Various movie projects were discussed including a spoof sci-fi comedy based on “The Quatermass Experiment”, It was to be called “The Quite A Mess Experiment”.
The band weren’t keen on doing a slapstick kind of film, they wanted something a bit meatier and serious. They decided to work with screenwriter Andrew Birkin (brother of Jane) and director Richard Loncraine.
Andrew Birkin and Richard Loncraine agreed to tour with Slade in America so as to gain a greater realism of a rock band on the road and enough material to help with the story. Most of the movie is based on real incidents that have actually happened to other bands and to Slade of course.
The movie is a rags to riches drama about a sixties band who show their naivety by wanting fame and fortune but end up with a harsh reality check and pay the price. They encounter a rich, double dealing and well connected manager played by Tom Conti (his first movie) and a gangster like back street agent played by Johnny Shannon who wants his share after the band becomes successful. The film is deliberately shown as a dark and truthful translation of the music business which is intended to dispel the myth that this lifestyle is not what it seems to be ie: glamour, champagne and roses.
Flame is a superb movie and contains some solid deadpan acting from Noddy, Jim, Dave and Don. Tom Conti plays his role well as does Alan Lake (Jack Daniels). There is also a wonderful bit part by the late British D.J. Tommy Vance (1940 – 2005) as Ricky Storm.
Filming took place in 1974 at various locations in England ie: London, Sheffield and Nottingham and was released in English Cinema’s in January 1975.
Slade had to write a completely new album for the film soundtrack which turned out to be one of their best. It contains one of their finest songs “Far Far Away” which reached number two in the UK charts in 1974. Another track lifted from the album as a single was “How Does It Feel” which stalled at number 15. In later years this song has been acclaimed by various critics as one of their best works ever, of which I totally agree.
Anecdote:
I remember quite clearly going to see the film with my mate Ronnie shortly after release in 1975.
It was on at The Pavilion in Newcastle and after watching it once we slid down on our seats and waited for the next showing, as it started we sat up straight and watched it again. We tried the same scam a third time but reckoned we’d been rumbled and reluctantly decided to leave. (JJ)
The direction he chose was to make a movie and enhance their career even further.
Various movie projects were discussed including a spoof sci-fi comedy based on “The Quatermass Experiment”, It was to be called “The Quite A Mess Experiment”.
The band weren’t keen on doing a slapstick kind of film, they wanted something a bit meatier and serious. They decided to work with screenwriter Andrew Birkin (brother of Jane) and director Richard Loncraine.
Andrew Birkin and Richard Loncraine agreed to tour with Slade in America so as to gain a greater realism of a rock band on the road and enough material to help with the story. Most of the movie is based on real incidents that have actually happened to other bands and to Slade of course.
The movie is a rags to riches drama about a sixties band who show their naivety by wanting fame and fortune but end up with a harsh reality check and pay the price. They encounter a rich, double dealing and well connected manager played by Tom Conti (his first movie) and a gangster like back street agent played by Johnny Shannon who wants his share after the band becomes successful. The film is deliberately shown as a dark and truthful translation of the music business which is intended to dispel the myth that this lifestyle is not what it seems to be ie: glamour, champagne and roses.
Flame is a superb movie and contains some solid deadpan acting from Noddy, Jim, Dave and Don. Tom Conti plays his role well as does Alan Lake (Jack Daniels). There is also a wonderful bit part by the late British D.J. Tommy Vance (1940 – 2005) as Ricky Storm.
Filming took place in 1974 at various locations in England ie: London, Sheffield and Nottingham and was released in English Cinema’s in January 1975.
Slade had to write a completely new album for the film soundtrack which turned out to be one of their best. It contains one of their finest songs “Far Far Away” which reached number two in the UK charts in 1974. Another track lifted from the album as a single was “How Does It Feel” which stalled at number 15. In later years this song has been acclaimed by various critics as one of their best works ever, of which I totally agree.
Anecdote:
I remember quite clearly going to see the film with my mate Ronnie shortly after release in 1975.
It was on at The Pavilion in Newcastle and after watching it once we slid down on our seats and waited for the next showing, as it started we sat up straight and watched it again. We tried the same scam a third time but reckoned we’d been rumbled and reluctantly decided to leave. (JJ)
Characters and Cast
Stoker - NODDY HOLDER
Barry - DAVE HILL
Paul - JIMMY LEA
Charlie - DON POWELL
Robert Seymour - TOM CONTI
Jack Daniels - ALAN LAKE
Ron Harding - JOHNNY SHANNON
Angie - SARA CLEE
Tony Devlin - KEN COLLEY
Russell - ANTHONY ALLEN
Ricky Storm - TOMMY VANCE
Himself - ROSKO
Formats That The SLADE IN FLAME Movie Has Been Released On
Left to Right:
PAL VHS Video - Wide Screen - Released by Eagle Rock Entertainment
PAL VHS Video - HENDRING LTD - Released by Castle Communications
NTSC DVD (US) - Released in 2004 by Shoutfactory.com (Sony Music Entertainment inc.)
PAL DVD (UK) - Released in 2003 by Union Square Pictures
PAL DVD (EU) - Released and Repackaged in 2007 by Union Square Pictures
PAL VHS Video - Wide Screen - Released by Eagle Rock Entertainment
PAL VHS Video - HENDRING LTD - Released by Castle Communications
NTSC DVD (US) - Released in 2004 by Shoutfactory.com (Sony Music Entertainment inc.)
PAL DVD (UK) - Released in 2003 by Union Square Pictures
PAL DVD (EU) - Released and Repackaged in 2007 by Union Square Pictures
A Selection Of Other Formats Connected With SLADE IN FLAME
Left to Right:
7" Vinyl Single - FAR FAR AWAY / O.K. YESTERDAY WAS YESTERDAY - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
Tape Cassette - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
Sheet Music - FAR FAR AWAY - Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd. - Issued 1974 by MUSIC SALES LTD (Agents)
7" Vinyl Single - HOW DOES IT FEEL / SO FAR, SO GOOD - Released in 1975 on Polydor Records
Sheet Music - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd. - Issued 1975 by MUSIC SALES LTD (Agents)
CD Album - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album - Released 1991 on Polydor Records
Hitmakers Foldout Poster - SLADE IN FLAME - Issued in 1975 by Aquarius Publications Ltd
12" Vinyl LP (UK) - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
12" Vinyl LP (US) - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album - Released in 1975 on Warner Bros. Records
12" Vinyl LP (UK) - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album (Re Issue) - Released in 1983 on Action Replay Records
Paperback Book - Published in 1975 by Panther Books Ltd
7" Vinyl Promo Single (US Release) - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Pressed in 1974 on Warner Bros. Records
CD Album - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album (Remastered) - Released in 2007 on SALVO, Union Square Music Ltd
7" Vinyl Single (Belgium) - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Released in 1975 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single (Holland) - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Released in 1975 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single (Germany) - FAR FAR AWAY - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single (Germany) - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Released in 1975 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single (Japan) - FAR FAR AWAY - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single - FAR FAR AWAY / O.K. YESTERDAY WAS YESTERDAY - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
Tape Cassette - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
Sheet Music - FAR FAR AWAY - Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd. - Issued 1974 by MUSIC SALES LTD (Agents)
7" Vinyl Single - HOW DOES IT FEEL / SO FAR, SO GOOD - Released in 1975 on Polydor Records
Sheet Music - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd. - Issued 1975 by MUSIC SALES LTD (Agents)
CD Album - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album - Released 1991 on Polydor Records
Hitmakers Foldout Poster - SLADE IN FLAME - Issued in 1975 by Aquarius Publications Ltd
12" Vinyl LP (UK) - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
12" Vinyl LP (US) - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album - Released in 1975 on Warner Bros. Records
12" Vinyl LP (UK) - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album (Re Issue) - Released in 1983 on Action Replay Records
Paperback Book - Published in 1975 by Panther Books Ltd
7" Vinyl Promo Single (US Release) - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Pressed in 1974 on Warner Bros. Records
CD Album - SLADE IN FLAME Soundtrack Album (Remastered) - Released in 2007 on SALVO, Union Square Music Ltd
7" Vinyl Single (Belgium) - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Released in 1975 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single (Holland) - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Released in 1975 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single (Germany) - FAR FAR AWAY - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single (Germany) - HOW DOES IT FEEL - Released in 1975 on Polydor Records
7" Vinyl Single (Japan) - FAR FAR AWAY - Released in 1974 on Polydor Records