DARYL EASLEA – Whatever Happened to Slade? When the Whole World Went Crazee

Whatever Happened to Slade? by Daryl Easlea is undoubtedly one of the most enthusiastic, warm-hearted, and passionate books on any band out there that I have come across for quite some time. This one basically reads like a love letter to not only one of the greatest yet most underrated acts of all time but also a bygone era that was filled with musical magic and wonder, namely the legendary Slade and their rise to fame in the early seventies. With something akin to the perfect line-up and a several anthemic, fun, and fist-pumping tunes that made fans and listeners of pop and rock everywhere in Europe lose their minds, these innovators and pioneers were truly something out of the ordinary, which is perfectly illustrated by Easlea throughout this epic and gorgeous hardback that expertly guides us through the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs, and the unfathomably entertaining story associated with the outfit. Slade were a phenomenon and so much more than merely “a band” – they captured the imagination of teenagers and avid listeners of popular music by means of songs that spoke to the people and offered a sense of humor and irony. They also defied easy categorization and drew people in from various subcultures and genres and whatnot.  

As with the very best and most rewarding music biographies out there, Easlea leaves few stones unturned in his exhaustive study of the famed rock ‘n’ roll ensemble and provides us with a thought-provoking and deeply fascinating insight into the inner workings and mechanics of Slade both on- and offstage. The book is a literal feast and treasure trove of charming anecdotes, moving stories, and fond memories – many of which beggar belief for one or more reasons – and the entire written piece flows incredibly well and boasts clarity and an evocative (and sweet melancholy) quality. These gentlemen were utterly popular, yet they never appeared or felt like a commercial entity; they were disciplined musicians and skilled songwriters who neither compromised nor lost their status as a band of and for the people. Slade were one of a kind as this absorbing literary account of the life and times of the act and its charismatic members so splendidly prove. The chapters detailing life post-Slade are worth the price alone.

Illuminating, informative, perfectly dramatic, and above all essential, Easlea’s book does justice to the icons and is a must-have to anyone with more than a passing interest in British culture and music history.