Slade Reunion? Forget It, Says Jim Lea
Slade will never re-form. That’s according to bassist Jim Lea.
Talking exclusively to Classic Rock, Lea – who, by his own admission, does very few interviews and is a very private person – had this to say:
“We do get offers. But it will just never happen. One reason is that Noddy [Holder] would have to lower the key for the songs, and it just wouldn’t feel the same. It’s what happens when you get older.
“The second reason is that it would tarnish our legend. It can’t ever be the same as it was in the 1970s. We are all different people now. It’s OK if you’ve carried on through the years like the Stones. But to pick up again after 25 years, as we’d have to do, just wouldn’t work. I’d rather everyone has their memories of us as we were.”
Lea did do a one-off gig at the Robin 2 in Bilston in 2002 – but even that, says the bassist, is something he won’t repeat.
“I had great fun. We called it the Jim Jam. I played guitar and sang, and we supported a Slade auction. But I can’t see me ever playing live again.”
Slade have just released two very different albums. One is Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade Party Hits. The other is Live At The BBC.
“The latter is really rough and ready, as we were before all those hits. The compilation album is maybe the ultimate record to put on at parties. I listened back to it and was surprised how well it flowed. The two albums sum up the dichotomy in the band. We were a great live band on the one hand, yet also this chart act on the other.”
But Lea holds out very little hope for the future of rock music.
“Where’s it going? It’s all been done. Maybe we need to take a break and start all over again. These days, all anyone wants are TV shows like The X Factor. And how well would the true greats of rock have done on there? Can you imagine the reaction Bob Dylan would get? ‘You can’t sing, you can’t play guitar or harmonica – give up!’ I doubt John Lennon or Mick Jagger would fare any better.”
For further info, go to www.jimleamusic.com
Thanks for the entertainment, CR. The Jim Lea link you provided led to the site of a silver-haired gent and his homely wife. Not the Slade man in any guise.
Oops. Try this one instead: http://www.jimleamusic.com/
Absolutely the right decision Jim (and Noddy I suspect). Any attempt to reunite would inevitably lead to criticisms of not being able to cut it any more…. which we all know in advance anyway.
Slade’s contribution to rock ‘n’ roll history is well documented and their status well deserved. I still play Slade albums from time to time and I’d rather cherish the memories than witness the disappointment that so many 70’s bands have delivered with their ill conceived reunions.
Thanks, Geoff.
Unfortunately the memories are already tarnished a bit by “Slade 2″. The original guys getting back together could only help.
But I understand where Jim is coming from. It’s just a shame his talents aren’t out there in some musical form these days.
[...] det heller inte tal om. Det lät Jim Lea bestämt meddela häromdagen på tidskriften Classic Rocks hemsida. Klokt nog vill Lea inte förstöra bandets legendstatus genom att låta Slade dyka upp på scenen [...]
Just listened to Therapy and loved it.Pity you all can’t get together but I have so many happy memories over the years.Keep on rockin. A true Slade fan.
im a massive quo fan but slade was the first of loads of great rock bands that i have seen over the years and by far the best live band ive ever seen. i saw them 11 times in total and i was at the new victoria gig in 1975 that blew me away. my best memory was seeing them at baileys in watford in 1979 i was standing right in front of sir dave hill. met noddy and don powell after the show. awsome. let the good tmes roll.