View source for Chris Slade

{{Short description|Welsh rock drummer (born 1946)}}
{{For|the American football player|Chris Slade (American football)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| birth_name      = Christopher Slade Rees
| image           = Chris Slade.JPG
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1946|10|30}}
| birth_place     = [[Pontypridd]], Wales
| origin          = [[Cardiff]], Wales
| caption         = Chris Slade in 2012
| genre           = [[Hard rock]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[blues rock]], [[progressive rock]], [[jazz fusion]]
| occupation      = Drummer
| years_active    = 1964–present
| associated_acts = [[Toomorrow (band)|Toomorrow]], [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]], [[Manfred Mann's Earth Band]], [[Jimmy Page]], [[Paul Rodgers]], [[The Firm (rock band)|The Firm]], [[AC/DC]], [[Asia (band)|Asia]], [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]], [[Michael Schenker Group]], [[David Gilmour]], [[Gary Numan]], The Chris Slade Timeline, [[Gary Moore]]
| website         = {{URL|chrisslade.com}}
}}

'''Chris Slade''' (born '''Christopher Slade Rees'''; 30 October 1946) is a Welsh<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chrisslade.com/chris-slade-bio/|title=Bio|website=Chris Slade}}</ref> drummer, who is perhaps best known for playing for [[Manfred Mann's Earth Band]] from its inception in 1971 to 1978 on eight albums, and [[AC/DC]], for which he drummed from 1989 to 1994 and performed on the 1990 album ''[[The Razors Edge (AC/DC album)|The Razors Edge]]''. He returned to AC/DC in February 2015 to replace [[Phil Rudd]] for the "[[Rock or Bust World Tour]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/drummer-chris-slade-photographed-at-grammy-awards-ahead-of-acdcs-performance|title=Drummer Chris Slade Photographed at Grammy Awards Ahead of Ac/Dc's Performance - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|date=6 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/chris-slade-confirms-return-to-acdc-this-is-an-amazing-opportunity-for-me|title=Chris Slade Confirms Return To Ac/Dc: 'This Is An Amazing Opportunity For Me' - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|date=7 February 2015 }}</ref> Slade has also played with [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]], [[Toomorrow (soundtrack)|Toomorrow]], [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]], [[David Gilmour]], [[The Firm (rock band)|The Firm]], and [[Asia (band)|Asia]].<ref name="all">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p125896|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography: Chris Slade|last=Hill|first=Gary|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref>

==Early life and career==
[[File:Standard_compressed_uriahheep.jpg|alt=Standard_compressed_uriahheep|thumb|Slade (middle) with [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] in 1980.]]
Slade was born Christopher Rees in [[Pontypridd]], [[Glamorgan]], [[South Wales]]. He has worked with [[Gary Numan]], [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]], [[Olivia Newton-John]] (as co-members of the band [[Toomorrow (band)|Toomorrow]]), and [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]]. Slade was an original founding member of [[Manfred Mann's Earth Band]], playing on their eight studio albums released from 1972 to 1978.

In the mid-1980s Slade played with [[Paul Rodgers]] and [[Jimmy Page]] in [[The Firm (rock band)|The Firm]].<ref name="all"/> He has played with [[Pink Floyd]]'s [[David Gilmour]], and [[Gary Moore]] on his 1989 world tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chrisslade.com/chris-slade-bio|title=Bio – Chris Slade|website=chrisslade.com|access-date=30 June 2016}}</ref>

Slade received his highest exposure in November 1989 when he was asked to join [[AC/DC]] after drummer [[Simon Wright (musician)|Simon Wright]] had departed. AC/DC were signed to the same management company as Gary Moore, with whom Slade had just finished touring. The Young brothers ([[Angus Young|Angus]] and [[Malcolm Young|Malcolm]]) initially hired Slade only temporarily through management, then asked him–during the recording of the only album he made with them – to join the band. Slade played on ''[[The Razors Edge (AC/DC album)|The Razors Edge]]'' album in 1990 and the accompanying world tour, and the "[[Big Gun]]" single released in 1993. According to Slade, after working on demos for the following album, ''[[Ballbreaker]]'', [[Malcolm Young]] called Slade and told him they wanted to try a reunion with former drummer [[Phil Rudd]]. Slade replied, "That's me out then, I'm gone." Young said that he wanted to keep Slade on hand if Rudd's return did not work out, but Slade refused. However he made statements that he still got on well with AC/DC and "it was an honour and a privilege to play with those guys".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/chris-slade-on-ac-dc-tom-jones-jimmy-page-gary-numan-and-more-603830#null|title=Chris Slade on AC/DC, Tom Jones, Jimmy Page, Gary Numan, and more|date=21 July 2014|access-date=23 July 2014|publisher=Music Radar}}</ref>

After his departure Slade spent a few years living in the UK countryside, before receiving a call from [[Geoff Downes]] of the British [[progressive rock]] group [[Asia (band)|Asia]]. Slade played with Asia for six years, before departing in September 2005.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

Slade has fronted an AC/DC tribute band, Chris Slade Steel Circle, and is currently{{when|date=September 2024}} touring the World with THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE  – a band formed to celebrate 50 years as a rock drummer. The band takes music from all aspects of his lengthy career and has appeared at major festivals including [[Hellfest (French music festival)|Hellfest]], [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], Harley Davidson Aquitaine, and Saint Tropez and is the only rock band to play the Moscow Olympic Stadium for the [[Kremlin Cup]] tennis tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chrisslade.net|title=The Official Chris Slade Website. Drum Icon Chris Slade invites all his fans to stop in and see whats new in Sladeyland|publisher=Chrisslade.net|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013144126/http://www.chrisslade.net/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chrisslade.com/the-chris-slade-timeline|title=The Chris Slade TimeLine|date=16 February 2015|access-date=25 April 2015|publisher=Chris Slade}}</ref>

==Return to AC/DC==
Speculation regarding Slade's return to AC/DC started shortly after Phil Rudd's legal troubles became public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/21/who-should-be-the-new-drummer-in-ac-dc|title=Who should be AC/DC's new drummer?|date=21 November 2014|access-date=27 April 2015|publisher=UT San Diego}}</ref> In a December 2014 podcast by [[Chris Jericho]], Jericho mentioned that he had it on good authority that Slade would be returning to AC/DC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.podcastone.com/embed?progID=593&pid=462037|title=Chris Jericho Podcast with Chris Slade|date=3 December 2014|access-date=25 April 2015|publisher=Chris Jericho}}</ref>

Slade was photographed signing albums with the band on 7 February 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/ac-dc-chris-slade-photo-grammys|title=Chris Slade Photographed With AC/DC at Grammy Event|date=7 February 2015|access-date=25 April 2015|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref>

After the photo appeared publicly, Slade finally admitted that he was going to be the band's drummer and admitted to secrecy surrounding his return, and stated that it was done for the right reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chris-slade-acdc-confirmed|title=Chris Slade Confirms Return to AC/DC|date=7 February 2015|access-date=25 April 2015|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref> The band issued a statement, "Chris Slade will be on drums for the upcoming [[Rock or Bust]] world tour.".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/13/acdc-confirm-chris-slade-will-replace-phil-rudd-2015-tour|title= AC/DC confirm Chris Slade will replace Phil Rudd on their 2015 tour|date=13 February 2015|access-date=25 April 2015|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

Since that time, in addition to playing live, Slade has appeared in all promotional photos taken with the band and appeared in the music video for the single "Rock the Blues Away". In late April 2015 AC/DC's official website listed him as the band's drummer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acdc.com/us/theband|title=The Band, The Official AC/DC Website|author=Staff|date=2015|website=ACDC.com|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment|access-date=29 April 2015|archive-date=6 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506091716/http://www.acdc.com/us/theband|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

On 30 September 2020, his role within the band was made clear: Phil Rudd was returning to AC/DC on the drums, effectively making Slade leave the band for a second time. In the same announcement, Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams were also returning to the band.

==Equipment==
Slade endorses [[Drum Workshop]] drums, pedals and hardware,<ref name="musicradar.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/chris-slade-on-ac-dc-tom-jones-jimmy-page-gary-numan-and-more-603830|title=Chris Slade on AC/DC, Tom Jones, Jimmy Page, Gary Numan, and more|author=Rhythm|work=MusicRadar|date=22 July 2014 }}</ref><ref name="drummerszone.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.drummerszone.com/news/article/artist-news-1-13188/1/ac/dc-drummer-to-host-rare-drum-clinic-in-dublin|title=Drummerszone news - AC/DC drummer to host rare drum clinic in Dublin|access-date=5 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220731/http://www.drummerszone.com/news/article/artist-news-1-13188/1/ac/dc-drummer-to-host-rare-drum-clinic-in-dublin|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Paiste]] cymbals,<ref name="drummerszone.com"/> [[Remo]] drumheads,<ref name="drummerszone.com"/> LP percussion and London drumsticks.<ref name="drummerszone.com"/> Before switching to DW, he previously endorsed [[Pearl Drums|Pearl drums]], pedals and hardware.<ref name="musicradar.com"/>

==Discography==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}

===With Tom Jones===
*''[[Along Came Jones (album)|Along Came Jones]]'' (1965)
*''A-Tom-ic Jones'' (1966)
*''From The Heart'' (1966)
*''[[Green, Green Grass of Home (album)|Green, Green Grass of Home]]'' (1967)
*''Live: at the Talk of the Town'' (1967)
*''13 Smash Hits'' (1967)
*''Delilah'' (1968)
*''Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas'' (1969)

===With Toomorrow===
*''[[Toomorrow (soundtrack)|Toomorrow]]'' (1970)

===With Tom Paxton===
*''How Come The Sun'' (1971)
{{Col-break}}

===With Manfred Mann's Earth Band===
*''[[Manfred Mann's Earth Band (album)|Manfred Mann's Earth Band]]'' (1972)
*''[[Glorified Magnified]]'' (1972)
*''[[Messin']]'' (1973)
*''[[Solar Fire]]'' (1973)
*''[[The Good Earth (Manfred Mann's Earth Band album)|The Good Earth]]'' (1974)
*''[[Nightingales & Bombers]]'' (1975)
*''[[The Roaring Silence]]'' (1976)
*''[[Watch (Manfred Mann's Earth Band album)|Watch]]'' (1978)

===With Terra Nova===
*''Terra Nova'' (1980)

===With Kai Olsson===
*''Crazy Love'' (1979)

===With Frankie Miller===
*''Falling in Love'' (1979)
{{Col-break}}

===With Uriah Heep===
*''[[Conquest (Uriah Heep album)|Conquest]]'' (1980)

===With Gary Numan===
*''[[I, Assassin]]'' (1982)

===With Denny Laine===
*''[[Anyone Can Fly]]'' (1982)

===With David Gilmour===
*''[[David Gilmour Live 1984]]'' (1984)

===With The Firm===
*''[[The Firm (album)|The Firm]]'' (1985)
*''[[Mean Business]]'' (1986)
{{Col-break}}

===With AC/DC===
*''[[The Razors Edge (AC/DC album)|The Razors Edge]]'' (1990)
*''[[Live at Donington (AC/DC album)|Live at Donington]]'' (1992)
*''[[AC/DC Live]]'' (1992)
*"[[Big Gun]]" (1993)

===With Asia===
*''[[Aura (Asia album)|Aura]]'' (2001)
*''[[Silent Nation]]'' (2004)

===With Bloodstock===
*''Creator of Worlds''

===With Damage Control===
*''Damage Control'' (2007)
*''Raw'' (2008)

===With MIWA===
*''My Wish Is Your Command'' (2011)
*''Reach Out and Touch Me'' (2018)
{{col-end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.chrisslade.com Official website]
* [http://www.BendingRealityTV.com/ Chris Slade appears as a cast member on Bending Reality TV]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060904145222/http://www.damage-control.co.uk/ Damage Control official site]
* [http://www.miwa.rocks MIWA official site]

{{AC/DC}}
{{The Firm}}
{{Manfred Mann's Earth Band}}
{{Uriah Heep}}
{{Asiaband}}
{{Michael Schenker Group|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Slade, Chris}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Welsh rock drummers]]
[[Category:British male drummers]]
[[Category:Uriah Heep (band) members]]
[[Category:The Gary Moore Band members]]
[[Category:AC/DC members]]
[[Category:Asia (band) members]]
[[Category:Michael Schenker Group members]]
[[Category:Manfred Mann's Earth Band members]]
[[Category:The Firm (rock band) members]]
[[Category:Musicians from Pontypridd]]
[[Category:Musicians from Cardiff]] 
[[Category:Welsh session musicians]]
[[Category:British heavy metal drummers]]