Extreme Glam Rock Fashion

This Day in Music History: December 17, 1973

With less than a week remaining until Christmas, having the spotlight on a Christmas song is perfect timing. There are numerous songs around the country that are always in the air without question. Different songs in different countries make the charts with some being chart toppers year after year.

Welcome into the spotlight... 

 Slade in 1973. Left to right: Jim Lea, Don Powell, Noddy Holder, Dave Hill

Slade: the most successful British group of the 70s based on sales of singles

The English rock band, Slade, rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 70s with 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones. Their attempt to break into the American market was not as successful. During the late 1970s, the band returned to the UK following years of commercial failure both at home and abroad. 

Slade's career was unexpectedly revived when the band members were asked to perform at the 1980 Reading Festival when Ozzy Osbourne pulled out at the last minute. For the next two years, the band produced material tailored towards the heavy metal scene and by 1984, they finally cracked the American market with the hits "Run Runaway" and "My Oh My." This new-found success did not last long, however, and despite a top 25 UK hit in the early '90s the band split shortly after in 1992. However, they did leave an influential mark on a number of US bands. [Source: wikipedia.org]

1973 Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Merry Christmas Everybody' their sixth chart topper. It has been released during every decade since 1973, and has been covered by numerous artists. In a 2007 poll, 'Merry Christmas Everybody' was voted the UK's most popular Christmas song. The single has sold in excess of one million copies.

Noddy Holder (right) and Dave Hill (left), near the height of their fame in 1973, showing some of their more extreme glam rock fashions.

 A Couple of No.1s on This Day...

2000 Bob The Builder started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Can We Fix It'. Taken from the children's television program Bob the Builder.

2006 Leona Lewis started a 4 week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'A Moment Like This', also a US No.1. 

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...