Slade on German Television A Late Seventies Snapshot of a Band Holding Its Ground
The German television performance of My Baby Left Me and That is Alright offers a valuable glimpse into Slade during a transitional moment in their career. Recorded in 1977, this appearance captures a band that had already dominated the early part of the decade and was now navigating changing musical tastes while remaining firmly committed to its roots in raw, hard driving rock and roll.
Released as a single in 1977, My Baby Left Me and That is Alright reached number thirty two on the UK charts. While this position was modest compared with Slade’s chart topping successes earlier in the decade, it remains significant. The single would become the band’s last UK chart entry until 1980, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a quieter but no less determined phase in their career. By this point, punk and new wave were reshaping the British music landscape, yet Slade continued to draw strength from classic rock influences and a powerful live identity.
The German television performance reflects this confidence clearly. Noddy Holder delivers the vocals with the same unmistakable grit and conviction that had defined Slade since their breakthrough years. Dave Hill’s guitar work is sharp and direct, rooted in traditional rock and roll phrasing rather than contemporary trends. Jim Lea and Don Powell provide a solid rhythmic foundation that keeps the performance tight and energetic without excess polish. The presentation is straightforward, placing the focus firmly on the music rather than visual spectacle.
My Baby Left Me and That is Alright themselves point directly back to rock and roll’s foundations. By revisiting material associated with early rock traditions, Slade reaffirmed their connection to the genre that shaped them. This approach was not an attempt to chase relevance, but rather a statement of identity. It reminded audiences that Slade’s strength lay in performance, melody, and attitude rather than fashion.
Today, this track holds renewed importance thanks to its inclusion on the reissued and remastered album Whatever Happened to Slade? as well as the comprehensive Slade box set. These releases have allowed listeners to reassess a period that was once overlooked, revealing a band that remained disciplined, passionate, and musically assured even when commercial momentum slowed.
This German television recording stands as honest documentation of Slade in 1977. It shows a seasoned group continuing to perform with pride and purpose, offering a reminder that chart positions alone never fully define the value or legacy of a rock band.