Slade using a Rickenbacker bass on Top Of The Pops?

[leftyguitars]

Errr...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddbKqGi52Qc

[Rickygirl]

Now, not sure how you found that one Peter.........ummmmm........but Kenny will be delighted!

We all LOVE Slade.....how can you not???

[leftyguitars]

I love Slade, not sure about the 'Kay' (or whatever it is) bass though.

[henry5]

Well after watching 16 seconds of it I'd say it's probably a John Birch. John made loads of guitars for bands around that period, and made quite a few Rick- shaped basses (I believe the guy in Hot Chocolate had one too).

[wints]

Dave Hill's custom YOB guitar and others were JB made, so it's possible there was a bass in there too. The guy from Hot Chocolate had a genuine white Ric IIRC....I can remember really liking that one...

Yup, love 'em!

[rickenbrother]

A Rick? I don't think so!

[NSH]

To make it worse, I remember that!!!

Neil

[rickaddict]

Is anybody actually playing on that video?

[thinneckrick]

everyones a winner baby

[dog]

Is anybody actually playing on that video?

Only if you can strum a bass without actually fretting a chord

Oh no, please tell me that I didn't look that stupid back in those days What was I thinking

[thx1955]

Jimmy lea who played bass for Slade typically used a Gibson, EB-3, and, despite all the Top Of The Pops bullsheet Slade were actually a very good live act, there's still a live Slade Album around called Slade Alive, has one of the best renditions of Alvin Lee's "Hear Me Calling" !!

[leftyguitars]

Bands recorded a backing track to two songs and 'played' both songs at the TOTP recording. The vocals would usually (but not always) be live, occasionally a band would be allowed to actually play instruments live (very rarely in the early years but more often in later years). Only the current 'hit' or new release song would be broadcast on the show though.

At one recording session Marc Bolan wanted to play live but the producer wouldn't let him so in protest he plugged his guitar lead in the back pocket of his pants for the recording (the intended implication to the producer was that he had shoved it up his arse in disrespect).

[86kubicki]

I believe BBC rules at one time (and Peter could certainly correct me on this), required bands to re-record their music and lipsync the re-recorded versions on TV. Andy Partridge from XTC has recounted this practice and noted that once the "BBC man" left the recording studio, bands would actually use the sessions to record new material. The original track would then be used on TV rather than the re-recorded version (most BBC folk evidently couldn't tell the difference).

[gearhed289]

Well after watching 16 seconds of it I'd say it's probably a John Birch. John made loads of guitars for bands around that period, and made quite a few Rick- shaped basses (I believe the guy in Hot Chocolate had one too).

Yeah, that guy's "SG" looks like a Birch too, judging by the pickups and headstock.

[s4001]

Okay, okay, just kiddin'