So Here It Is

I loved Slade when they hit my consciousness as a glam rock obsessed 10 year old, so I was delighted to receive a review copy of ‘So Here It Is: How the Boy From Wolverhampton Rocked the World With Slade’ by Slade’s guitarist, and legendary Super Yob, Dave Hill.

A few years back I read, and really enjoyed, ‘Look Wot I Dun: My Life In Slade’ by Slade’s drummer Don Powell, so the parts of this book which deal with Slade’s history were already quite familiar.

That said, both books are also extremely personal, and say as much about their writers’ personal issues as Slade’s career. Dave Hill has had to contend with a lot over the years, and he writes frankly about his Mum’s mental health issues, his own depression, his stroke, and much more.

Anyone who knows and loves Slade, knows that Dave Hill is first and foremost an entertainer. He was as much a focal point for the band as original singer Noddy Holder. This gregarious and outgoing aspect of his personality shines through in this book, even when he relates the darker aspects of his life and times.

It’s a fascinating read and shows that behind the scenes the band have never really had it easy. Dave Hill emerges as thoroughly likeable, down-to-earth man and his philosophical musings at the book’s conclusion are genuinely inspirational. His life has been characterised by some incredible highs and lows, and this book does them all justice. A very enjoyable read for anyone but, if you’re a Slade fan, it’s essential reading.

So here it is : the story of the guitarist Dave Hill from Slade a band formed in the black country area of the west midlands who talks about growing in the Warstones area of Wolverhampton (in the same council estate where later caitlin Moran grew up).
talks openly about his mother mental health problems and how he feared later on in life he maybe going the same way and how to a degree it was hard work and luck which helped slade become a big band. Interesting how he discusses life after the Original slade with his own health problems and a very close family.
overall the book is quite open and humble gives an insight into slade

This is a great look at the history of one of Rock n Rolls greatest treasures. Foot stomping, clapping, and platform boots!

Having grown up in the 70's it was great to relive some of my fond memories from that era by reading this biography by Dave Hill who was the guitarist in top pop group Slade, the top British group for a short while. Dave Hill was always a colourful character and was responsible for much of the fun side and showmanship of the group. This book made me remember a lot of the fun times of that era but also made me more aware of the goings on behind the scenes. It was interesting to read of the bands success but also of Dave's depression and subsequent stroke which threatened to end his career. This is an excellent read for people of a certain age group and an excellent insight into not only the success of the group but also the struggles.
I would like to thank Net Galley for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit that I didn’t really like Slade very much in their heyday - it’s taken me about 40 years to appreciate how good they actually were - and so I was interested to read Dave Hill’s biography in the role of someone who wasn’t strictly a fan and who didn’t know a lot about the band.

It is a great read - entertaining and good humoured - and Mr Hill comes across as a well adjusted rock survivor and a decent human being. I will be paying him a lot more attention in future when watching re-runs of Top of the Pops and other 70’s music shows.

Many thanks to Mr Hill, to Unbound and to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

I grew up with Slade and the Glam rock scene and loved it all, all the flamboyancy of the clothes and performers, so it was great to read Dave Hill's autobiography as it brought it all back.
Dave comes over as a very down to earth person, he writes honestly about his mother's illness and his own, and he's a very family orientated guy.
It's nice to read a 'celebrity autobiography' by someone who doesn't seem to be affected by the fame.
Highly recommend.