IT'S that time of year when THE ultimate Christmas song- 'Merry Christmas Everybody' can be heard everywhere we go.

But you can hear Slade who topped the charts with it in 1973 perform it live in Salisbury next week.

The most popular band of the 70's glam rock era Slade will be at the City Hall on Thursday December 14.

The original front man Noddy Holder may no longer be performing but original band members Dave Hill and Don Powell are still there.

One of the most exciting bands to come out of the UK in the past 30 years with their unique blend of perfect pop-rock'n'roll, Slade are known for their flamboyance and fun.

They had 23 Top-20 singles, of which six were No1, plus six smash albums. Their enduring songs "Cum On Feel The Noize" and "Coz I Luv You" are still featured today in TV commercials for some of the Worlds biggest companies.

Slade first hit the road in 1966, touring throughout Great Britain and Europe and becoming a regular concert attraction. Joining forces with the former Animals bass guitarist and Jimi Hendrix Experience manager, Chas Chandler, Slade achieved their first chart hit in May 1971 with the Bobby Marchan song "Get Down And Get With It" . In October of the same year "Coz I Luv You" was the band's first No1 and a huge hit across Europe.

Throughout the seventies, Slade became one of Europe's biggest bands, touring and recording continually and making regular trips to America, Japan and other parts of the world. Slade's catalogue of hits are synonymous with the era:- "Take Me Bak 'Ome", "Mama We'er All Crazee Now", "Cum On Feel The Noize", "Gudbye T' Jane", with many others, provided the soundtrack to the Glam rock Generation.

At the beginning of the eighties, Slade were invited to appear at the Reading Festival and literally stole the show. As result they signed a new record deal released the anthem "We'll Bring The House Down" which reached the Top 10:Slade were back!

A second successful appearance at Castle Donnington in 1981 before 200,000 people paved the way for the single "Lock Up Your Daughters", and the album "Til Deaf Do Us Part".

The early nineties saw the band's "Radio Wall Of Sound" hit the UK Top 30 giving them a solid 20- year chart run!

In 1993, due to the continual demand from around the world, founder members Dave Hill and Don Powell decided to return to touring by playing a few select dates in Europe prior to embarking on what turned out to be a very successful two month tour of Australia.

Slade have continued to tour the world since.Led by Dave and Don, the band's latest additions are ex Mud bass guitarist John Berry, frequently spied in the guise of the Big Issue seller in Eastenders, and new lead vocalist Mal McNulty. Mal has had an extensive career. He featured with Rockin Horse in the 70s, heavy rock band Golden Night, German rock band Hazzard, and he was a founder member of London fun-pub band Paddy Goes To Holyhead. Having formed The Wandering Crutchless with Tino Troy of Preying Mantis, Bruce Bisland of Sweet and occasional guest Andy Scott, Mal joined Sweet in which he eventually became lead vocalist.

Slade today is still one of the most exciting bands on the road, and their stage performance is renowned as a dynamic, powerful, exhilarating roller-coaster ride of pure unadulterated rock'n'roll.

Slade play Salisbury City Hall on Thursday December 14. Box Office:01722 434434

www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk