When the Lights Are Out Slade on Stage and the Rise of Jimmy Lea as a Lead Voice
When the Lights Are Out holds a special place in Slade’s history as both a studio milestone and a powerful live statement. The song first appeared on the band’s nineteen seventy four album Old New Borrowed and Blue and marked an important moment within the group. It was the album debut of bassist Jimmy Lea as a lead vocalist, adding a new dimension to a band already known for its strong personalities and unmistakable sound.
By nineteen seventy four, Slade were one of the most successful rock bands in Britain, with a run of hit singles and a reputation for explosive live performances. When the Lights Are Out reflected a slightly different side of the group. While still rooted in hard rock energy, the song carried a more reflective tone, built around atmosphere and tension rather than pure singalong drive. Jimmy Lea’s vocal delivery was central to this shift, offering a darker and more controlled presence that contrasted effectively with Noddy Holder’s familiar voice.
The live version most often associated with the song today is a composite performance that brings together audio and video from different moments in the band’s touring life. The soundtrack comes from a concert in New Orleans in nineteen seventy four, capturing Slade at their commercial peak while touring internationally. The performance is tight, confident, and driven by a sense of authority that comes from a band fully in command of its material. Lea’s vocal holds the focus, supported by a solid rhythm section and sharply defined guitar work.
The visuals paired with this audio originate from a television appearance in East Germany in nineteen seventy seven. Although recorded several years later, the footage aligns closely with the spirit of the earlier performance. It shows Slade as a disciplined and professional live act, able to adapt their stage presence to different settings without losing impact. The combination of these two sources creates a coherent and convincing representation of how When the Lights Are Out functioned within the band’s live set.
From a historical standpoint, the composite performance highlights both continuity and evolution. It documents the moment when Jimmy Lea stepped forward vocally and demonstrates how the song remained relevant within Slade’s repertoire beyond its original album release. It also reflects the band’s international reach during the nineteen seventies, performing to audiences far beyond their original British fan base.
When the Lights Are Out may not be Slade’s most famous hit, but its significance lies in what it represents. It captures a band confident enough to broaden its sound, trust a new lead voice, and carry that material convincingly onto the stage. As a live document, it remains a valuable insight into Slade at a mature and assured point in their career.