What do Slade & the Black Crowes have in common?

So then...

What do Slade & the Black Crowes have in common?

The clue is a 60's Stax/Atlantic records soul singer!

Wonder who will work it out first?

I think the singer is William Bell.

The Black Crowes covered one of his biggest hits but who knows where Slade fit in.

Close but not close enough I'm afraid though William Bell did also record for both Stax and Atlantic records too!

Another clue? William Bell recorded a tribute song to the singer that is the answer to this question!

Since no one else has had a go, is it anything to do with the track 'Hard to Handle by Otis Redding?

Can't find a Slade version, they did a cover of 'Security' by Otis.

That's the right singer now, isn't it.

I'll let you have it as the answer is Otis Redding.

Yes the Black Crowes had a hit single with Hard To Handle.

The Mark II line up of a Wolverhampton band who went on to be the biggest UK sales singles band of the 70s had their version of Security released at the end of October 66 in America only as The N'Betweens. They changed their name to Ambrose Slade in 1969, then of course Slade in 1970, the rest is history.

Don Powell formed The Vendors at the end of 1963, Dave Hill joining shortly after in early 64. They recorded an instrumental EP in 64, only 10 records pressed.

By the end of 64 they became the Mark I line up of The N'Betweens and in 65 recorded a 4 track EP
released in France only for Barclay Records.

In late summer 66 original bassist Cass Jones left and shortly after guitarist Mickey Marsden too. 16 year old Jim Lea joined on Bass, Noddy Holder joining at the turn of Autumn 66. Shortly afterwards original vocalist John Howells left.

Five became four, Noddy became vocalist and Slade was born.

This line up recorded 5 songs produced by Kim Fowley for Columbia EMI.

Security was released in the USA only by small Los Angeles label Highland Records as the first single by the line up to become Slade.

Two weeks later You Better Run was released as their first UK single on Columbia EMI (Cat No DB8080) and tho it never charted it did get playlisted and played on pirate station BIG L Radio London 266.

There is loads more to the story, but there's your link & answer.

Enjoy......