Slade - Live Reading 1980

From AllMusic.COM

Slade's appearance at the Reading Festival in 1980 will go down in the annals of rock history as one of the great comeback stories.

At the time of the gig, Slade had packed it in. No bad vibes, creative differences, or any other of the usual breakup reasons. No, these guys were just tired of the abuse. At their absolute low of popularity and relevance (their records were worth so little they had been melted down for raw vinyl and the band was playing humiliating Spinal Tap-like Airforce base gigs), they had just decided to call it a day.

Then the call came in. They were invited to fill in at the last minute at the Reading Festival. Even with the fear of 100,000 beer cans flying at them, everyone finally agreed to do it. The band was really nervous backstage before the show, but as it became time to play, Jim Lea said, "I've written more hits than everyone back here put together!" Slade then went out and kicked everyone's ass so hard they completely stole the show.

All the British press (who had been ignoring Slade for some years by this point) wrote about Reading that year was Slade, and how they were back, dynamic, one of the greatest live bands ever. Joe Elliott from Def Leppard was quoted as saying that following Slade that day was a no-win proposition.

The energy the band has is matched by the enthusiasm of the audience, many of whom were no doubt ready to give Slade the beer can welcome they feared.

The Reading Festival in 1980 gave Slade new life.