Slade's Dave Hill interview: 50 years of 'Merry Xmas Everybody' and how John Lennon helped make it

Gold's James Bassam welcomes #Slade legend Dave Hill as he talks about the making of their classic Christmas song, his friendship with Noddy Holder and their upcoming tour.
In 1973, Slade scored the Christmas number one with the festive anthem. And Christmas isn't really Christmas until Noddy Holder shouts "IT'S CHRISTMAS!".
The song sold by the bucketload, and 50 years on it remains one of the UK's best-loved Christmas songs.
To mark the occasion, Gold caught up with Slade legend Dave Hill. Dave spoke to James Bassam about the making of the song, its enduring legacy and how John Lennon was involved in its recording.
Dave also spoke to James about Slade's friendly rivalry with Roy Wood's Wizzard - who also released 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' the same year.

Пікірлер: 108

  • @colinlatham7905
    @colinlatham79057 ай бұрын

    That's one of the special things about Slade, its all about having a good time with great music. They aren't stuck up, their mission is for the crowd to have a great time. Thanks Dave for a life time of joy.

  • @geoffphil
    @geoffphil6 ай бұрын

    Great man, great band, one of my favourites of all time. Thanks Slade for the music and memories!

  • @johnrichardson1796
    @johnrichardson17967 ай бұрын

    Dave Hill is such a lovely down to earth man after all he’s achieved , great interview 👍

  • @davegalea6689
    @davegalea66897 ай бұрын

    Merry Xmas Everybody will always be the best Christmas song and the 60's and 70's will always be the best music.

  • @beverlygannon4141

    @beverlygannon4141

    5 ай бұрын

    Yes yes yes. 👍👍👍👍

  • @user-dp8gb9zu8v

    @user-dp8gb9zu8v

    5 ай бұрын

    They also played music in the eighties. they were together over twenty five years. before they broke up.

  • @joeking4206
    @joeking42066 ай бұрын

    Lovely fella. Still happy to discuss the song after 50 years with enthusiasm. I’m old enough to remember the songs first performance on TOTP in 1973 😎🎶

  • @pauladamson8577
    @pauladamson85777 ай бұрын

    I remember walking to school singing Cum on feel the at the top of my voice whilst walking to school in 1973. Happy memories! 🙂

  • @wataboutya9310
    @wataboutya93107 ай бұрын

    What a sweet soul.

  • @JessicaAdamsAstrologer
    @JessicaAdamsAstrologer6 ай бұрын

    John Lennon's harmonium and cancelled studio time. Who knew? This is a fantastic interview by James Bassam. Love Slade.

  • @WarrenPeace007
    @WarrenPeace0076 ай бұрын

    I was lucky to be 14 years old when “Merry Xmas Everybody” was released. My favourite Slade song is “Everyday”

  • @R3RLEE
    @R3RLEE6 ай бұрын

    What a lovely bloke...and hey it ain't Christmas till nod says it is!!! Slade best and ever!

  • @royjudson4380
    @royjudson43806 ай бұрын

    I use to have Slade posters all over my bedroom wall back in the early 70s, i was a big fan, got really excited when they were going to release another record, nice to know Dave is happy and doing well.

  • @KayEl58
    @KayEl586 ай бұрын

    Nice to see Dave looking so well. I was a huge fan back in the 1970's. Saw them live a few times.

  • @olliebeak131
    @olliebeak1316 ай бұрын

    Great to hear this straight after Noddy's long interview on Radio Merseyside...

  • @Chris-pv2ht
    @Chris-pv2ht7 ай бұрын

    I could listen to him for hours, he has such a good listening voice. I bet he has some right tales

  • @stuartsinclair6269
    @stuartsinclair62696 ай бұрын

    A proper down to earth guy, And yes we’re all still listening to the Christmas Hits, that what I’ve been brought up to, I’m a 70s kid👍🏻

  • @paulhill1379
    @paulhill13796 ай бұрын

    Top Man Dave Hill.

  • @grantbaechler3529
    @grantbaechler35295 күн бұрын

    I always wished they could've done one last concert together. It's great we still have all 4 members with us.

  • @irisfandre865
    @irisfandre8657 ай бұрын

    Mit dem vielen Glitter und Glimmer auf der Stirn sah Dave Hill so toll aus

  • @shereemcclelland2186
    @shereemcclelland21867 ай бұрын

    We hear Merry Christmas down under and it is stinking hot, we love it, we loved Slade, still do. Mr Hill, thankyou for all your music, Slade were a huge part of our teenage years. I was 15 when I saw you blokes at the Melbourne Showgrounds on February 4 th 1973, you were my silver god, I had glitter in my hair, I loved your clothes, cutest hair cut, and your platform boots were amazing. Thankyou Dave, Thankyou Slade, the world is a better place with Slade being on it, well for a 15 year old kid from working class suburban Melbourne it was. Love ya Dave, I won’t ever forget you. If you are ever back in Melbourne, I’ll be there. 🇦🇺😘🥰🇦🇺

  • @peace.love.light8856

    @peace.love.light8856

    Ай бұрын

    Me too! I was there standing in the rain and having a fabulous time.. I was also at Festival Hall twice when they came out again. I loved it and still have very fond memories. Slade were my love back then. Slade Alive.. Keep on rockin.❤ Thank You Dave for all those great times and happy memories❤❤❤❤😂 Rock On!... Karen. Melb, Aust 🇦🇺

  • @jillwilliamson4825
    @jillwilliamson48256 ай бұрын

    I was 10 in 1973 my mum bought the single, I remember watching Slade on top of the pops singing it. my mum used to say what's Dave wearing today 😆

  • @JeaneGenie

    @JeaneGenie

    6 ай бұрын

    What did your Dad think ?

  • @stevejelly3161
    @stevejelly31617 ай бұрын

    Lovely bunch of blokes 🙂 ......... stay well !!!!!!!!!!!

  • @garywhite353
    @garywhite3535 ай бұрын

    Really nice bloke , not full of himself like most of them , that's why SLADE were so great 👍👍

  • @ianbrown7089
    @ianbrown70896 ай бұрын

    🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 Dave All the Best to you and your family for Christmas ! And Thank You for a Brilliant xmas Song !

  • @rickstevens3036

    @rickstevens3036

    6 ай бұрын

    He is a Jehovah Witness and doesn’t celebrate Christmas.

  • @17_73
    @17_736 ай бұрын

    Slade what great memories thanks so much.

  • @Fargosportsmassage
    @Fargosportsmassage5 ай бұрын

    Slade for all eternity…

  • @petercliff4023
    @petercliff40237 ай бұрын

    Dave Hill - one of the greatest people whoever lived. This is why we love SLADE.

  • @thomasreed49

    @thomasreed49

    6 ай бұрын

    You’re not wrong👍

  • @christopherlawledge9093

    @christopherlawledge9093

    6 ай бұрын

    U fukin sure

  • @terencericketts8017
    @terencericketts80173 ай бұрын

    Slade was a great 👍 band in there time and i saw them a couple of times in brum .Merry xmas is still the best song 🎵 at Christmas, great to have their Records or Cds 💿 so we can play them anywhere or anytime

  • @patearls8365
    @patearls83656 ай бұрын

    An absolute legend I was lucky enough to have been at the Earlscourt concert it was Brilliant.

  • @JeaneGenie
    @JeaneGenie6 ай бұрын

    Always great to see an interview with Dave. Wish the interviewers would come up with more original questions though. It's always the same old dribble about the Merry Xmas song, or do you still keep in touch with Noddy etc. Come on interviewers, there is way more to talk about !!

  • @johncarlo7395
    @johncarlo73955 ай бұрын

    Dave Hill, what an interesting man, no bullshit, down to earth, sound as a pound, I'm a musician of the same era that didn't make it, so we'll done Dave and Slade.

  • @user-dp8gb9zu8v
    @user-dp8gb9zu8v6 ай бұрын

    My grandmother came to this Country from England. I can tell you the Brits are excentric. and I mean that in a good way. Dave Hill is a very underrated guitarist. and as much as Noddy Holders incredible voice. Dave Hill was a very important part of the group SLADE. and he is left handed and plays the guitar right handed. and I'm the same way.

  • @frank290862

    @frank290862

    5 ай бұрын

    Dave didn’t play guitar on most of the Slade recordings. It was Jim.

  • @user-dp8gb9zu8v

    @user-dp8gb9zu8v

    5 ай бұрын

    @@frank290862 Dave is the lead guitarist. and he could play the keyboard. Jimmy Lea is the bass player. and he could play all the instruments. and often played the piano the fiddle the Saxaphone and other instrumente in many of the songs. It was not unusual to see him sitting at the piano. with the bass in his lap and the stap over his shoulder. during the intro of song. and then play the bass. and Noddy Holder played the rhythm guitar and the bass. they sometimes switch playing the instruments when they needed to on different songs.

  • @frank290862

    @frank290862

    5 ай бұрын

    @@user-dp8gb9zu8v lol. Jim never played the sax.

  • @user-dp8gb9zu8v

    @user-dp8gb9zu8v

    5 ай бұрын

    @@frank290862 Yes he did, if you check out their most recent video for the song 'My Oh My"? you will see him playing the bass, the fiddle, and the saxaphone, all three in the same song. he could play all the instruments he was well educated musically. Apparently you don't know too much about SLADE.

  • @alanbitterman9909
    @alanbitterman99095 ай бұрын

    Dave yer a legend fella 👍

  • @StratsRUs
    @StratsRUs7 ай бұрын

    Mesmerising band.

  • @jmedia1102
    @jmedia11025 ай бұрын

    "Would You mind a picture taken with a fan since 1972, Dave?", I asked him, encountered totally by surprise at the neighbouring table in a pizza restaurant in germany some 20 years ago. He looked over my shoulder, as if searching for my father or uncle or something, but it was me. He agreed and I at last could shake his hand in gratitude for everything. Viva SLADE!

  • @garys8357
    @garys8357Ай бұрын

    Dave what happened to the hair Hill.......part of the Greatest Band ever, being Slade....."H" you are the man, you were the Slade image of the 70's ..brilliant!

  • @stevetrotter1286
    @stevetrotter12867 ай бұрын

    Great interview 😊

  • @dtrain1634
    @dtrain16346 ай бұрын

    Bostin!!!! Arr great to hear some local accent on the radio - and yes a REAL band!!

  • @petemayes1940
    @petemayes19406 ай бұрын

    Great bio book,lovely bloke

  • @michaelholmes4374
    @michaelholmes43746 ай бұрын

    What a great guy less grey of mud said to someone when they said dont yuo get sick of playing them songs no because its a different ordnance every show same with Dave great Times rhe 70s 😊😊😊😊😊

  • @gaztaylor4178
    @gaztaylor41785 ай бұрын

    Propper yam yam dave hill 👍 🇬🇧

  • @duncanshenton4887
    @duncanshenton48877 ай бұрын

    I saw slade Manchester susie Quattro was the support act 1971 top gig

  • @pleun315
    @pleun3153 ай бұрын

    Now thats a cool dude❤

  • @tomsuzyinfluencerinfj2712
    @tomsuzyinfluencerinfj27126 ай бұрын

    Saw Slade 1972 in Hamburg, Fanny (USA girl band) opening. Both bands awesome. Saw Slade again in 1973, Hamburg, can't remember who was opening. But Slade, as usual, still awesome. Was pissed-off with Slade, the Slade Alive! album was not a gatefold in Germany. It's a gatefold in UK. Found out when me and my mother (also a Slade fan) went to UK for a holiday. Got the album straight away in Carnaby Street!

  • @johncrouch8988
    @johncrouch89886 ай бұрын

    Nearly 40 years ago my friend and I went to see Slade at York University. It was in Autumn 🍂 but Noddy asked the crowd for a request. Yes we shouted for Merry Christmas 🎅 Noddy made us sing it! It was a great night! Many thanks to you Dave and the band for all the pleasure and great memories you have given us! Rock on 🤘👍

  • @davecummo8743
    @davecummo87437 ай бұрын

    Donnington park 1981, Slade stole the show, and the line up included Blue Oyster Cult, Whitesnake and AC/DC.

  • @mummyd1990
    @mummyd19906 ай бұрын

    Dave looks more like Ken Dodd nowadays,love the geezer and Slade are one of the best bands of all time.

  • @TrevorThompson-nf9dp
    @TrevorThompson-nf9dp4 ай бұрын

    Nice Guy

  • @rubbersoul2841
    @rubbersoul28413 ай бұрын

    Was that the same Ena Sharples harmonium John used on We can work it out?

  • @jonathansteadman7935
    @jonathansteadman79356 ай бұрын

    Legend, Super Yob, apparently that guitar is neck heavy and not easy to play. Someone else owns it, was it Marco Perroni from Adam and the Ants, or someone similar around that time. But Slade, just legendary.

  • @MightyJonE
    @MightyJonE6 ай бұрын

    Never realised Ken Dodd was in Slade

  • @belfastobserver9375
    @belfastobserver93757 ай бұрын

    Ken Dodd's younger brother!

  • @philipbillington2314
    @philipbillington23146 ай бұрын

    Ken Dodds missing brother ? You have to admit there is a resembelance to the great comedian

  • @CraigDavies.
    @CraigDavies.6 ай бұрын

    No Dave Hill = no Ramones.

  • @daviddarby6579
    @daviddarby65797 ай бұрын

    Notice he never mentioned Don Powell!

  • @duncanholding7636

    @duncanholding7636

    6 ай бұрын

    Yep... Don't think they are busom buddies any longer.. there is an hour's interview with Noddy Holder by Tony snell... And Noddy seemed reluctant to talk about Jim or Don

  • @nickhale2900
    @nickhale29006 ай бұрын

    Oh, no Don!

  • @phildascombe8966
    @phildascombe896623 күн бұрын

    As a MASSIVE Slade fan, i just wish Dave would now stop the parody he has on the road and just enjoy the memories...he has spoilt the leagacy by continuing...it is Dave Hill and his Karaoke Krew, it's sad and time to stop. And that bloody xmas song!! They're back catalogue is so rich, please play more of it, not just MXE!!

  • @GJB1
    @GJB17 ай бұрын

    Cum On Feel The Noize replaced The Sweet' Blockbuster at No 1 in Feb 1973 and not Rod Stewart. Coz I Luv You replaced Rod Stewart' Maggie May in November 1971!

  • @ethanblackhurst8593
    @ethanblackhurst85937 ай бұрын

    Can someone please give Dave a decent hair cut for Xmas? Then go over to Don's.

  • @user-wj5un4rq6e
    @user-wj5un4rq6e6 ай бұрын

    Сделайте перевод на русский! Садист! Я не могу услышать своего кумира!

  • @royferguson2297
    @royferguson22976 ай бұрын

    Slade would not have made it l,if Marc Bolan had not started Glam Rock, they were a skin head band then jumped on the Glam rock band wagon. Liked some of their songs, Noddy is a top bloke.

  • @macca63
    @macca632 ай бұрын

    30 years ago dave was working on new songs….😂

  • @TerryChimes123
    @TerryChimes1236 ай бұрын

    Looks like Ken Dodd.

  • @steveconn1375
    @steveconn13756 ай бұрын

    I recall someone saying that dave Hill was or still is a jw ? Don't know if that's just a rumour

  • @jonathansteadman7935

    @jonathansteadman7935

    6 ай бұрын

    Yes, i believe he is Jehovahs Witness, at least, I've read it on a few occasions.

  • @steveconn1375

    @steveconn1375

    6 ай бұрын

    @@jonathansteadman7935 wow that's amazing that he says best record of his career was merry Christmas everybody 😀

  • @ianclarke5404
    @ianclarke54046 ай бұрын

    For a second I thought the thumbnail was ken Dodd

  • @macker8017
    @macker80176 ай бұрын

    Best combover I have ever witnessed in my life, he looks a cross between Donald Trump and ken dodd

  • @geoffstow54
    @geoffstow547 ай бұрын

    He's turned into Ken dod

  • @RonMcKenzie-bw7iq
    @RonMcKenzie-bw7iq7 ай бұрын

    The song secured their pension pot.

  • @MrClingclong
    @MrClingclong6 ай бұрын

    Dave seems to be morphing into Ken Dodd.

  • @hgodvilla00
    @hgodvilla00Ай бұрын

    Great to see Dave wearing normal clothes that are not covered in mirrors and glitter.😂

  • @user-uq2rb9dl4x
    @user-uq2rb9dl4x6 ай бұрын

    He looks like ken dodd

  • @Robhalifax
    @Robhalifax6 ай бұрын

    Ken Dodd has let himself go.

  • @harrybond6673
    @harrybond66736 ай бұрын

    Anyone told you dave , you looklike ken dodd!

  • @petercollins7790
    @petercollins77906 ай бұрын

    Is Dave morphing into Ken Dodd🤔

  • @NigelHyphenJones
    @NigelHyphenJones6 ай бұрын

    Looks like the ‘bast*rd’ hair cut is now a comb over…. at least he still has some hair left…. 🙊

  • @johncraven2614
    @johncraven26147 ай бұрын

    I loved slade! But you on your own is not Slade and Nod and Jim wrote the songs! I dont care who else is in Dave Hills Slade but you have turned into a covers band! Time to retire Dave!

  • @duncanholding7636

    @duncanholding7636

    6 ай бұрын

    That's straight to the point but probably true... Saw them a few years ago before Don was "let go" and yes it wasn't really Slade... Ironically Andy Scott's sweet were on the same bill and they were fantastic.....

  • @KayEl58

    @KayEl58

    6 ай бұрын

    Listen to Play it Loud. Jim and Don wrote some fantastic songs. Dave wrote a few with Noddy in the early years. He can write.

  • @007ITZA
    @007ITZA6 ай бұрын

    Had to double take... Thought it was Catherine Tate's "nan" 😅😂

  • @minimaxi802
    @minimaxi8026 ай бұрын

    Don't remember Dave Hill but looks a bit like Ken Dodd.

  • @nickwillobey2205
    @nickwillobey22056 ай бұрын

    Dave needs a new barber or something 😞

  • @jamestilburg7947
    @jamestilburg794718 күн бұрын

    His speech is soo slurry….

  • @gforce4063
    @gforce40636 ай бұрын

    Ken Dodd died, diddly. no doddy

  • @ajjy1110
    @ajjy11106 ай бұрын

    ask Don powell what he thinks about hill.. hill is a bitter jelious individual. didn't write any of the songs. didn't write the Christmas song doesn't earn an bean nod and jim get the royalties and he hates it...

  • @johnhayward7173
    @johnhayward71736 ай бұрын

    Get a Haircut Dave.

  • @citizenseventies6738

    @citizenseventies6738

    6 ай бұрын

    And look like you ??

  • @sebastianwelcome2080

    @sebastianwelcome2080

    6 ай бұрын

    ​@@citizenseventies6738he he lol 😆

  • @david-pb4bi
    @david-pb4bi6 ай бұрын

    I hated that pathetic song from its conception, and my hatred for that song has only increased over the years, think a speak for the whole population.

  • @tonywright8294
    @tonywright82943 ай бұрын

    Top man

  • @booooo666
    @booooo6666 ай бұрын

    Gr8 band... Noddy fidnt need a mike

  • @christopherlawledge9093
    @christopherlawledge90937 ай бұрын

    Ken Dodd ffs

  • @Kim-iv4ty
    @Kim-iv4ty6 ай бұрын

    I love any one of the original four being interviewed, they all have great stories to tell.