So Here It Is

The Autobiography

By: Dave Hill

Narrated by: Dave Hill

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

No Slade = No Oasis. It’s as devastating and as simple as that. Noel Gallagher Slade’s music and style dominated and defined the 1970s. With six consecutive number one singles, they were the UK’s number one group and sold millions of records all over the world. At their peak, Slade enjoyed success and adulation not seen since The Beatles.

Now, for the first time, the man whose outlandish costumes, glittering make-up, and unmistakable hairstyle made Slade the definitive act of glam rock tells his story. Growing up in a council house in 1950s Wolverhampton, Dave always knew he wanted to be a musician, and in the mid-sixties, with Don Powell, he founded the band that in 1970 would settle on the name Slade.

Their powerful guitar-driven anthems formed the soundtrack for a whole generation, and their Top of the Pops performances, led by their flamboyant, ever-smiling lead guitarist, became legendary. But So Here It Is reveals that there’s much more to Dave’s life than Top of the Pops and good times.

The book uncovers surprising family secrets, tells the inside story of the original band’s painful break-up, explores Dave’s battles with depression, his decision to reform Slade and go back on the road, and his recovery from the stroke that threatened to cut short his career. 

Told with great heart and humor, So Here It Is is the story of the irresistible rise of Dave Hill and the definitive account of his journey from working-class lad to global rock star.

©2017, 2018 Dave Hill (P)2020 Dave Hill

Fun, Candid and Complete

How nice to learn the backstory to Slade’s origins and future success. The rock ‘n’ roll industry would not be complete without Slade.

Needs a professional presenter

I wanted to like this book, I really did. But sadly it is disjointed and Dave Hill really should stick to guitar playing as he really isn’t a great narrator. He should have got a professional writer to help and allow an experienced narrator to present it. Can’t carry on listening. Such a shame.

A SEARINGLY HONEST GOOD READ!

Dave has A PRECISE AND DOWN TO EARTH WAY of putting things : For instance to make a point he calls a Council House - A HOUSE!
He describes life well with cute and nuanced clever observations and he has a talent for a concise and precise way of describing his Colourful life.

This is balanced and (at times) perfectly contrasted by his innocent naivety and his obsessive personality.
Slightly Tongue in cheek wisdom picked up from others which many would NOT see!
From this gripping audiobook you see that Dave Hill was the Beating Heart and Soul of Slade and there was method in his Showbizzy dressing up madness.

One thing that I don't think Dave realises is that Creativity Comes Out of the Nebula of Confusion, Problems and Pain - I say this because in the later part of this book he describes his battle with his mental health and although he is honest and up front about it I believe it would help and sooth him to realise that The LIGHT IT ALWAYS COMES OUT OF THE DARKNESS!!

What also strongly comes across is his Decency and Loyalty as a person - this needs to be said because Slade was Dave's Band - in fact Slade was Dave and Dave IS STILL SLADE!!
The humour in this book is So Very British and at times it's almost like in the Carry On Films. Bang on the money British Brummie humour.

I grew up with Slade and they were UNIQUE - I loved that Big Euphoric Sound with it's driving Rhythms and good ol' Times on stage shenanigans.
So I am happy to recommend this UNIQUE audiobook because it is an interesting and an honestly told story - warts an' all!
ENJOY . . . . !

Great story, great narration

This is a great story. Dave Hill’s character really shines through. it is warm and personal.

Fantastic

What a lovely listen this really was. Dave’s wonderful narration charmed me through his incredible life story.

I enjoyed every minute.

I would not have been the same if he hadn’t of told the story himself he was great, real and funny. Fantastic job Dave. You and the band were a big influence on my playing (ex pro guitarist). Never stop👍

A truly amazing story

As a Slade fan since the early days, this is a truly in depth story of the journey of the band. I can remember bunking off school to go and see Slade In Flame and getting caught. I saw Slade numerous times in the 70's and Slade 2 more recently in Bexhill where we actually dodged security and got into the dressing rooms and met and chatted to Dave and Don. I think Don was living in Bexhill at the time. Ten out of ten for this book. I'm now going back to the beginning to listen again

Great work by Dave

Great insight into Slade. Great narration by Dave: funny, interesting, relatable and candid. Very enjoyable.

An engaging story, poorly presented

The story of four working-class lads from the midlands who rose to fame in the 70s to become one of the biggest acts in the UK is indeed a riveting one; the dive gigs, the long drives in a beaten-up van, the sheer hard work that few people outside of the industry understand, first appearance on Top of the Pops, after which Dave drove home to his room at his parent's house. But somewhere along the line Dave is told by their new manager Chas Chandler (he of Animals and Jimi Hendrix fame) that he sees Slade as the new Beatles, and Dave then continues to repeatedly compare Slade's success in the UK with that of the Fab Four globally.
The reality is that Slade, whilst absolutely one of the biggest bands in the UK in the 70s, would never be able to come even close to the achievements of the Beatles (in fairness, very few have), especially in regard to breaking the lucrative USA market, where Slade, despite months of hard work and touring, just didn't connect with America. Worse, their constant focus on trying to break America cost them dearly at home, where they returned to find themselves largely forgotten.
Then there was the too-common issue of how the money was handed out, where Noddy and Jim, who wrote all the hits, enjoyed steady and lucrative royalty paydays, Dave and drummer Don Powell had only their live gigging income, which was nowhere near as good.
It's interesting to hear Dave tell the story, which he does in a light-hearted and jokey manner, as if you're chatting in the pub, but there must be some bitterness there when Noddy and Jim both quit the band to concentrate on studio work and enjoying their wealth, leaving Dave and Don without an income or a band with which to make one.
The presentation by Dave Hill is bitty at best; I appreciate the guy has had a stroke and is in his twilight years, but his timing and delivery of the story is often punctuated by spaces that just don't belong there, or sentences seemingly completed and then added to. It's very distracting.
All in all an interesting look into the pop industry of the early 1970s, but also underlines just how risky that industry could be...

Honest and interesting

Having read other reviews I thought this was going to be a struggle. Yes Daves obviously reading and it’s not as polished as a professional reader but he delivers a heart felt account of his background and slade. If you have a passing interest in slade it’s thoroughly enjoyable.
I’ve listened to a few now and this has been the most engaging and real.

Great Book

what a great book I wasn't a great lover of Slade but I really enjoyed this well done Dave