|
DON Q&A RESCUED FROM THE ARCHIVES.
Thanks to Lise for putting these questions to Don.
Norman Gunston
Was wondering what your memories of the times you were in Australia & each time how different you found the place & the fans. What regrets have you got over the last 40 odd years of your career & would you have done anything differently ? Regards.... Norman
The first two times we were there everybody knew all the records, because the records were on the charts, so the audience were no different than others, although the land was, obviously. I don’t think there was a change over time, except obviously when we went there the last time, people who had seen us in the seventies now brought their children around. And they were still talking about “Slade Alive!” That was THE album.
The only regret I have was the approach to America. The first tour was great for us in America. What we should have done was we should have carried on in the same track, just supporting. We were supporting on the first tour and on the second tour we went top of the bill and we should never have done that. The first tour we were third on the bill. There was Humble Pie, mainly J. Geils and some other bands and on the second tour The Eagles were supporting us! We shouldn’t have done that. We should have carried on supporting on the second and the third tour as well instead of going top of the bill. That’s the only regret I can think of. Don
bigmac
Are you gonna do any gigs in Finland this year? and if not, why? Based on an 8-fold experience since -94 I would recommend to do a future gig within the Helsinki district. Pleeze ...
I can’t remember the last time we played in Finland, but we’ll always go if the offers are there. We’ll always play there, but I don’t remember the last time, who we worked for, which one of the agents. At the moment nothing is scheduled, but anything can come up. If an agent contacts us. Finland has always been good for us, even with the new line-ups over the last few years, I’m sure. Don
Ejoe
Where did Don come up with the idea for the heavy breathing in the chorus?
I think that was Chas’s idea. Don’t ask me why! It just came. I just did that, the heavy breathing, and I also used a matchbox well. Making the sound on like the “sandpaper”. So it’s me doing it with my voice and a matchbox.
Don
Crazeebloke
Hi Don,
Missing songs:
Fans are aware that an acetate exist of a studio version of 'Hear me calling'.
Is there any reason that this wasn't released?
Do the group have the master tapes of the original, so there is a prospect of some later release?
Also the last sessions at Ritch Bitch turned up a version of RESPECT that has never seen the light of day. Is there any prospect of that ever being released?
Finally, the song 'Love Is' - is there going to ever be a version of that fans can hear?
Thanks for your time, young man!!!
Ian E
As far as I know we only ever did “Hear Me Calling” for the “Slade Alive!” album obviously and I think we did it a few times for BBC live recordings. I remember we tried to record it once or maybe a few times, but it never came together. It was like a live thing and we couldn’t get it together. I think the acetate was actually from a BBC recording. I can’t remember that we did it otherwise, or if we did, it must have been very early on. As for “Respect” I don’t know anything about that and regarding “Love Is”, it IS down on tape but where it is, I don’t know.
Don
Sladedestiny
Did you ever consider learning to play any instrument other than the drums?Are you mainly self taught or did you have lessons?
Jim was teaching me to play guitar in the middle or late sixties. I bought an acoustic guitar off Nod for £ 40. That was typical Nod. I think I was paying what he paid! And Jim taught me to play a 12 bar in e and c, a minor, f and g. I wish I had kept at it. Because I can’t sing or anything, I would have problems to tune the guitar for starters, but I wish I had kept at it now.
I am self-taught as a drummer but I went to lessons. It was a guy in Wolverhampton, I was still in the boyz scouts actually, and I went to him, but I only went twice, because he couldn’t teach me anything that I didn’t already know. What it was really was to learn to read drum music, but what do I need to learn drum music for? They don’t have drum music in all the different scores.
Don
nomis: Hi Don what songs did you play live or maybe rehearse with the intention of playing live off Nobodys Fools, and why did you never play Do we still do it which I always thought would be a great live song? I remember you all sounchecking with Nut Bolts and Screws and Sign of the Times but you never actually played them during any gig as far as I remember.
The songs from Nobody’s Fools were a bit too light for stage, for how our stage show was at the time. It would have been like sort of chalk and cheese to included any of the Nobody’s Fools material. It was a shame, though. As for sound checking with Nuts Bolts and Screws and so, I don’t remember doing that.
Don
milbekk
Hi Don! A couple of questions from Norway - What was you´re favourite studio to work in and why? Nobody´s Fools and Whatever Happened to..was both recorded in the US, but they both sound very different soundwice. What was the big difference in those recordings. WHTS sounds like it´s got a more live feel in the basic trackings. They are BTW excellent albums.
What was Chas actually role in the studio as a producer. Im thinkingarrangement / mixing / Engineering etc. Saw you live in Norway in febuary, you still got a great groove
Oh, a difficult one….I liked the Record Plant in New York where we did Nobody’s Fools, and I always liked the Angle at Islington in London when we worked with Roy Thomas Baker, when he produced a few things. It was great for the band, it was a really live sound. The Record Plant that was more a studio album than anything and that was a new experience for us, to record like that.
Only Nobody’s Fools was recorded in the United States. The Nobody’s Fools was very produced with the girl singers as well. It was very different.
As for Chas he was in the studio basically for discipline, really. With Chas it was like we used to record from twelve non-stop until six o’clock and that was it. Six hours and that was it. And it made sense. We wanted to carry on, but he said, “No, leave it. Stop now and you’ll be fresh tomorrow. You’ll have the evening free now to do whatever, go to the pictures or whatever,” you know. And he really proved it, because when we finished with Chas we did some recordings throughout the night and we got back the next day to listen to them and we said, “Oh, it’s a pile of sh*t!” Because we had been half asleep and we had let things go. There is no discipline there. So Chas proved himself wise on that, it was so true. Only work from twelve to six. Don
viktor
Hi Don,
After many tours with the band I can imagine there will have been some quite eventful moments. Is there one particular happening that stays foremost in your mind? Sorta spinal tap perhaps? Cheers!
There is quite a few, I think! Well, one sticks: At our second America tour we had just signed to Warner Brothers. We went to San Francisco to a guy who Chas knew from the Animals days and this guy was still an old hippie, you know. And he lived in this small chapel in San Francisco. And we stayed for two nights, so we were there for the weekend, and he had a party in his home, so to speak, one night in this chapel. And it had a pulpit and all. And I just went to have a look around and there was this rope fixed to the roof and it came to like the balcony. And I had this girl with me and I said, “Are you up for a laugh? Get on my shoulders!” We could look down at the party, there was a few hundred people there and we would just swing down between the people. But what Chas told me later was that because we had just signed to Warner Brothers there were 2 or 3 of their executives there. They were standing talking to Chas and they were asking him what the characters were like, what we were like in the band. And when it came to me he said, “Don never really says anything, he’s pretty quiet,” just as I swung by! Oh god! With this girl! And the executives said, “Who’s that?” “That’s Don.” “But he’s the quiet one!” The quiet one of the band swinging by like Tarzan with a girl on his shoulders! Don
Otis
Don your drumming style was so much different on Play it loud, than any other album, tighter etc so different that You must have had a change of influence. I know about the accident but I feel your drumming on this album was so much tighter than at any other time.
I probably played a lot more in those days...and one time we were doing something, rehearsing, and it was such a tiny room so if I had played we couldn’t hear anything, so I just went on the snare drum. And Jim said, “Remember that”, because he got an ear for that type of thing, and I used that particular style on all of our early records. Only snare drum and bass drum on the records and occasionally a cymbal crash, but basically it was only snare drum and bass drum. That’s what the thing came from for “’Coz I Luv You”, by the way. Then I realised afterwards, that was not until later, that Ringo used the same thing on “Get Back”!
Don
eviltwin - Hi Don - have you ever thought of asking Jim or Jim and Nod if they have any songs that Slade could use for a new album - Jim is obviously still writing and it is a formula that worked quite well for Brian Wilson and the Beach boyz in the past?
Dave did once ask Jim if he had any songs, that we could use, but I can’t remember what the outcome was. I think at that time Jim wasn’t particularly doing anything.
Don
KR - some great questions for don hope he can anwser them mine is simply can he relay the things we ask or hope for to the peaple who have all the rellivant stuff (i.e) master tapes video footage d.v.d stuff and tell them that there is an audience out there eager to purchase it
KEV (K.R)
Ha-ha! Well, it’s a matter of the market. I’m sure there’s some great stuff out there that hasn't been exploited, really. It’s strange. Don
The Glitter Girl : I was wondering: are there any differences in the audiences in the different countries - I mean, are some countries more enthousiastic/quieter/... compared to others?
It is more or less the same all around the world. Even in Russia. It takes a little time to get them going in Russia, but it’s not because of the show, but they have restrictions. They have the police there and they are not allowed to stand up. But after a few songs, the police give up. It takes a few songs before the audience starts to stand up and go mad. They really want to, but it takes a bit, because the police is there. That’s a bit of a deterrent.
Don
kelvinht: Hi Don, thanks for taking time out to answer our questions. I'd like to know why Slade always play the same set these days. Although it's great to keep hearing all the old obvious classics, with such a wonderful back catalgue it would be good to have the set varied from year to year. Cheers & KOR!
Our plan is to add fresh things this year. Don
michael
Hi Don, I don't know if you will get to this question or not but will Slade ever play in the United States again? I believe and so do many others that the Baby Boomer generation here in the US is very willing to pay to see there favorite artists from the 60's and 70's perform live. I recently saw the Zombies the crowd loved em' and they were brilliant. I will be going to see Blue Oyster Cult this week also. Anyway best of health to you and boyz, and give Lise a big hug from me for all her outstanding work.
It would be great to go, if we could get the right tour offered to us. Where we could obviously support a big name of the same kind of act in a way. Like on the first tour with Humble Pie, because it was a rock audience. And that is great with us. But I think it needs to be something like that, supporting. Don
P.S. Don had a good laugh about the hug-thing, as I usually get my fair share of hugs when we meet, anyway! Lise
garyjordanbrum: Hi Don thanks for giving the fans an opportunity to ask, my question is:
Due to the superb Slade footage lying gathering dust in TV Archives all over the world, would you like to see them again, and out of all the slade footage that is missing which one would you like to see again, if at all possible and why. Cheers Don and thanks to Lise too.
Oh god, I would like to see all of that! Anything really, I want to see anything! Don
poukhill: Thanks to Don for giving us the opportunity for asking questions and for giving us all those beautiful memories. My question is: does Don know what has happened to the master-tapes from all those great B-sides. He obviously was there when they were recorded... Are they still around somewhere or are they gone forever ? Greetings from Holland, Martin
They are still around, they are still there. Don
Hi Don. Just come back from sladefest2007, where were u? think you should keep the calendar free for next years event, its a good day out think you and the rest would like it too, no need to perform..well..just be good to see you all, what do you think? Looking forward to reading your biog. big man. Noddysnoize
Hi Noddysnoize,
For once I'll answer you myself. Don was with Slade in the Czech Republic on the day of the Sladefest. Believe it or not, but Don also has to make a living so he has to work, Sladefest or not. As the Sladefest is held during Easter, a busy time for Slade workwise, it is impossible for present bandmembers to attend. All the best. Lise
Benjamin Bear: Don thanks for taking the time for fan questions. Here's my efforts -
Over twenty years later what are your thoughts on the mid 80's Slade sound ? Both the Rogues Gallery and You Boyz albums employed a heavy use of drum machines, what were your thoughts on this at the time considering your efforts as a drummer to a certain extent were made redundant.
After the sucess of the 83,84 and 85 period and with the band stopping touring, could you forsee the demise of Slade or did you just think it was another cycle that you would come out of, either by having another hit single or by a live comeback at a festival situation ?
What do you think was the biggest managerial / business mistake the band ever made ?
The sound was a bit clinical some of it when we worked with John Punter, because he was very much a recording man. What we used to do was, we used the drum machine just for the click track and I put the live drums on afterwards. Because it takes away the live-thing when you use a computer, basically. And we didn’t bother with that. It was just a phase we went through, that came from John Punter, really. But on You Boyz we didn’t use drum machines.
When we stopped touring, being in it, it was the demise in a way, because our forte was touring. The recordings came in between, sort of. So yes, I could sort of see the demise back then.
I don’t know about managerial or business mistakes, but our biggest mistake was how we tried to crack America, going in as top of the bill instead of sort of like creep into the back door, so to speak, like we did in England, basically.
Don
Milligan: I know Don remembers me bringing my son Daniel to meet him a few years ago in Edinburgh where they discussed drums for a while. And we'll be along again later this year. In the meantime, since Daniel has just had £500+ of cymbals stolen after a gig I was wondering if he knew of a store that he could recommend as selling pro standard cymbals at decent prices? Or does Don suffer like everyone else & pay through the nose for his gear?
Cymbals are very expensive, so he should try junk shops and things like that. I would go around junk shops and try to look for some there. Don
Did you really have a stall there once, me and Liz tried to find it a couple of times and the best we got was somebody right at the top end saying I think hes round here somewhere!!!
My ex-wife, she had a stall there and I used to help out there. It was in one of the arcades. There was quite a few arcades, so you had to take a long time if you didn’t know where to go. It would take a long time to find. Don
Sladedestiny: You wrote some credible songs in the begining of Slade.Have you written anything since? Any songs hidden away anywhere? Oh and many thanks for the signed picture (and thanks again Lise).
CRAZEEBLOKE: I would add to this question... There was some material written in the early days of Slade II, partly by yourself which exists on a rehearsal cassette. Was this material ever submitted for consideration for recording by the group?
I wrote some songs for Slade II, which we recorded. Then Dave and myself started to improvise a few things, obviously it has not been recently, but that’s all in the pipeline. Hopefully it can be put together. As for the second question about the material on rehearsal cassette: Arhh, I forgot all about that! I probably have it, actually! I have to look for that, I forgot all about that! Don
Hi Don, Do you think the current line up will ever record anything new? It has been sometime since you guys produced an all new Slade album. I would certainly give it a try.
Geoff Lake (Banginman)
We’re going to have a talk this year about going in the studio. Don
Paul B
Hi Don, Having seen the new Slade line up quite a few times over the past couple of years, no disrespect to what you guys are doing and we do appreciate still being able to hear Slade live, but don't you get bored with the same playlist night after night?
I can appreciate that you play to mixed audiences at the majority of Slade gigs, especially the annual Merry Xmas Tour and the majority of people only know the hits, but don't you yearn to play a set from the Slade catalogue, away from the chart music and the same weekly routine?
Long time Slade fans long to hear something different at Slade gigs. Or is it down to contractual issues? Is there a posssibility for such a gig in the near future, i.e. The Robin 2: the audience would be partisan Slade and it would certainly pleeze everybody. Pretty pleeze?
That’s what we are going to do this year. We start to rehears as soon as possible, the first thing on the agenda is to put in new songs in the show. Don
mcp666
Hi Don, it's me again. We are all aware that Hear Me Calling was recorded in the studio for intended single release, if I remember correctly (my memory is almost as bad as yours). Who decided to pull it and why was it never used on an album or B-Side? Was there ever an unreleased studio recording of 'In Like A Shot From My Gun' or 'Comin' Home' other than the BBC recordings? Thanks for your time Don
I don’t remember us recording “Hear Me Calling” for single release, but I think that “In Like A Shot” was recorded. I’m sure, the master reel must be somewhere. I’m positive that we did that. But “Comin’ Home” we only recorded for the BBC sessions. We never made a studio recording of it. Don
sladedee: Hiya Don, looking forward to reading the biography,BIG THANX to you and LIse!!!!.......but, you started to write Bibble Brick back when you was about 16/17 is that right???....what inspired you to wanting to write this and did you make any changes to your original story now you are a lot older and bringing it out now....or is it still how you first wrote it ???? .... hope this question makes sense, THANX
I was 22 when I wrote it, it was in 1968-1969. I always had the idea, even when I was a teenager. Because when I was a young child I used to sit with my father, watching cartoons and I couldn’t understand why he was laughing at different things than the ones that I was laughing at. I was laughing at the obvious things, but Dad was laughing at different things and I couldn’t understand that until I started to get older. Then I could see the humour things that he was laughing at and that was really what inspired me to write it. To try to do something that appealed to both audiences, both ages. The basic story of Bibble is the same now as back then. We’ve done a bit of editing, but the basic story is still the same. Don
nomis: what hapenned to the lovely silver Ludwig kit/s, I'm sure they were built to last forever, If I remember you had the main kit and pretty much a complete 2nd kit as a spare when touring?
That went in the rock’n’roll sale from Sotherby’s. I was let to believe that the guy from the Hard Rock Café chain bought them. Someone did mention once that some of the things are in the Hard Rock Café in Tokyo, but if it is true, I don’t know. Don
Laurence Glover: Hi Don, Just wondered if you had any idea in your own mind how many more years you and Dave can go on touring, or do you just take each gig/year as it comes? I know us fans want you to go on forever but there will have to come a time...... All the best, Laurence
I never even think of it. People have asked me that same question since 1973! Don
mcp666: Hi Don, it's good of you to make yourself available for questions, thanks. We are all, very much, looking forward to Lise's work on your biography and the soon to be released 'Bibble Brick' but are there any plans to release your 'Let There Be Drums' solo work. It has been spoken of, with reverance, in select circles and I for one, would love to hear it?
That’s all in the pipeline. I’ve got the tapes and I just need to really get the musicians together and really sort of sit down with it. It probably needs a bit work, it probably needs to be emptied out a bit and then sort of start again. Don
steveclassic: Hi Don
As I was only 13 years old when Slade first played in Australia, and deemed too young to travel the 300km to Melbourne, I missed out on both of Slade's January 1973, and February 1974 Australian tours. Do you have any particular recollections of those tours "down under" - one of which saw Slade accompanied by Status Quo - that you would care to share with us?
Many thanks & regards
At the first tour in 1973 when the plane landed in Sidney we saw all these TV-cameras and we thought, “Who’s on the plane? Who are they waiting for?” and obviously they were waiting for us! Because at that time “Slade Alive!” was number one and had been so for a while and “Slayed?” was no. 2. And we had 3 singles on the charts as well. That was a great tour with Status Quo, Lindisfarne and Caravan. That was great. All the open air sports stadiums. But back then in the seventies every second song on the radio was one of ours and Lindisfarne always said, “Oh, sh*t! Not you lot again!” We got played all the time.
The second time we went we did many indoor venues and when we went 10 years ago, that was when we were there for 8½ weeks, we played everywhere and anywhere, mainly based on the West Coast. We went to Adelaide for just one concert, but we were based in Perth for about the first 3 weeks and we went out from Perth. And then we moved to the Northern Territories. And we were just travelling out to all sorts of places, some were not even on the map. It was a wonderful experience.
Don
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
