Editing Slade (section)

===Second decline in popularity (1985–1990)===
In mid-1984, Polydor released a new compilation, ''[[Slade's Greats]]'', which peaked at number 89, and during the autumn a full European tour was announced to promote the album.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> Tickets were being sold before the band had agreed that the tour would actually take place: shortly afterwards, it was cancelled because Holder, who was facing a divorce from his first wife, was furious arrangements for the tour had gone ahead without his agreement.<ref name="Holder"/><ref>Rogues Galley remaster booklet</ref><ref name="autogenerated5">{{cite web|url=http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/slade/2011/pages/interviews.htm|title=SLADE @ www.slayed.co.uk|date=15 July 2011|access-date=28 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715094253/http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/slade/2011/pages/interviews.htm|archive-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> In late 1984, a new single, similar in style to "[[My Oh My (Slade song)|My Oh My]]" was released in the UK. Entitled "[[All Join Hands (Slade song)|All Join Hands]]", the song made number 15 in the chart.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> "[[Merry Xmas Everybody]]" was also re-released, peaking at number 47 in the UK.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/>

At the beginning of 1985, Slade released the single "[[7 Year Bitch (song)|7 Year Bitch]]" which stalled at number 60 in the UK when it failed to make radio playlists.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> The band protested that there had been no reaction to [[Elton John]]'s "[[The Bitch Is Back]]" which was a hit record.<ref name="autogenerated10">Rogues Gallery remaster booklet</ref> The single did make number 39 in the German chart.<ref name="musicline1"/> A following single was released in March entitled "[[Myzsterious Mizster Jones]]". The single marked a return for Slade's trademark of spelling titles incorrectly, which had not been done since the 1973 hit "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me". Despite being a radio-friendly track, the single only peaked at number 50 in the UK<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> Neither "7 Year Bitch" nor "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" was released in America but the single "[[Little Sheila]]" was, where it reached number 86 in the Billboard chart and number 13 in the American mainstream rock chart.<ref name="allmusic2"/> It was also released in Canada, where it got to number 50, and Germany.<ref name="billboard3"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0518&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=53gtrvbfj0gk7r9b4sd40dtvu0 |title=Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=15 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022013840/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0518&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=53gtrvbfj0gk7r9b4sd40dtvu0 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

''[[Rogues Gallery (album)|Rogues Gallery]]'', an album heavily reliant on Lea playing on synthesizer and the majority of instruments, was released in the UK during March, and in America during May. Reported to be one of the band's most polished productions, the band aimed to produce an album where all tracks were potential hit singles.<ref name=autogenerated10 /> Despite receiving critical acclaim in both Europe and America, the album failed to live up to commercial expectations, partly due to the lack of live appearances, and Slade were unable to retain their new-found American audience or rekindled British following, causing the band to largely fade from sight once more. In the UK, the album reached number 60,<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> whilst in America it made number 132.<ref name="billboard3"/> The album was a hit in Norway, peaking at number 5. It also charted in other European countries.<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Slade&titel=Rogues+Gallery&cat=a |title=Slade – Rogues Gallery |website=Norwegiancharts.com |access-date=15 July 2011}}</ref>

In November, the band released a party album called ''[[Crackers (album)|Crackers – The Christmas Party Album]]'' which peaked at number 34 and was certified UK gold sales later that month.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> Repackaged on several occasions under various names such as ''The Party Album'' and ''Slade's Crazee Christmas''; it contained Slade hits and songs that had been successful for other artists.<ref name=autogenerated17 /> Amazed at what [[Bob Geldof]] had achieved with [[Live Aid]], Holder penned the lyrics to "[[Do You Believe in Miracles (song)|Do You Believe in Miracles]]" which was also released in November.<ref name=autogenerated10 /> The single's earnings went to charity but it only peaked at number 54 in the UK.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> The final release of the year was another re-release of "Merry Xmas Everybody" which peaked at number 48 in the UK.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/>

In 1986, two new Slade tracks, "We Won't Give In" and "Wild Wild Party", were used for the British film, ''Knights & Emeralds''.<ref>[[IMDbTitle:0091350|Knights & Emeralds (1986) – IMDb]]</ref> That same year, the rock band The Redbeards From Texas released a cover of the 1972 Slade hit, "Gudbuy T'Jane" and in late 1986; "Okey Cokey" was re-released for the second time but failed to chart, whilst "Merry Xmas Everybody" was once again re-released, peaking at number 71.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> 1986 also saw Slade's first official fan convention at the Finsbury Leisure Centre, Old Street, London.<ref name="davekempandslade81">{{cite web|url=http://www.davekempandslade.com/page81.htm|title=Dave Kemp and Slade website - Conventions|date=27 December 2010|access-date=28 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227070722/http://www.davekempandslade.com/page81.htm|archive-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>

To avoid becoming a 'Christmas' hit band, Slade did not release the single "[[Still the Same (Slade song)|Still the Same]]" in December 1986 but left it until February 1987.<ref name="autogenerated16"/> The single was not a major hit, reaching number 73 in the UK, leaving RCA wondering whether it might have been a better idea to release it at Christmas.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/><ref name="autogenerated16">You Boyz Make Big Noize remaster booklet</ref> Released in April, "[[That's What Friends Are For (Slade song)|That's What Friends Are For]]" suffered a similar fate, peaking at number 95.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> Slade's final studio album, ''[[You Boyz Make Big Noize]]'', was released a week later. It was produced by [[Roy Thomas Baker]], Lea and Punter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/cdalbum/cd/salvocd011 |title=CD Album - Slade - You Boyz Make Big Noize - Salvo - UK |website=45worlds.com |access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref> The album was poorly promoted with no accompanying tour or music videos and spent just one week in the UK chart, peaking at number 98.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> Like much of Slade's later material, it fared better in Norway where it got to number 12.<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Slade&titel=You+Boyz+Make+Big+Noize&cat=a |title=Slade – You Boyz Make Big Noize |website=Norwegiancharts.com |date=23 July 2007 |access-date=15 July 2011}}</ref>

Following the album's failure, RCA agreed to let Slade return to their own Cheapskate Records label, although RCA still continued distributing. A new single, also called "[[You Boyz Make Big Noize (song)|You Boyz Make Big Noize]]" was released in August. Influenced by the [[Beastie Boys]]' musical style, it lacked the synthesiser sound of the album.<ref name="autogenerated5"/> It was another commercial failure, just creeping into the top 100 at number 94.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> The single did not feature on the European version of the album but became the title track for the American version which was also released in August.<ref name=autogenerated17 /> The album was not successful in America, neither was the single "[[Ooh La La in L.A.]]" despite receiving radio play in  Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sladefanclub.weebly.com/uploads/7/6/6/0/7660950/8764510_orig.jpg |title=Internet Archive's Wayback Machine |date=1 May 2012 |access-date=1 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501084259/http://sladefanclub.weebly.com/uploads/7/6/6/0/7660950/8764510_orig.jpg |archive-date=1 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wax.fm/vinyl-lp-releases/slade_ooh_la_la_in_l.html |title=Slade – Ooh La La in L.A. – Vinyl |website=Wax.fm |access-date=15 July 2011}}</ref><ref>Cum on Feel the Noize: The Story of "Slade" book</ref> In late 1987, "We Won't Give In" was released as a single in the UK,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/boyz2 |title=Slade - We Won't Give In / Ooh La La In LA - Cheapskate - UK - BOYZ 2 |website=45cat |date=5 December 1987 |access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref> where it peaked at No. 121.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sladefanclub.com/uploads/7/6/6/0/7660950/7840482_orig.jpg?1 |title=Fan Club Uploads |website=Sladefanclub.com |access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> The band's 1987 official fan convention was held at The Royal Standard Convention, Walthamstow, London.<ref name="davekempandslade81"/>

In 1988, Slade released a cover of the [[Chris Montez]] song "[[Let's Dance (Chris Montez song)|Let's Dance]]"; a re-mix of the track from ''Crackers – The Christmas Party Album''.<ref name="autogenerated5"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/slade/lets_dance__1988_remix____far_far_away___how_does_it_feel___standing_on_the_corner/ |title=Let's Dance (1988 Remix) / Far Far Away / How Does It Feel / Standing on the Corner by Slade : Reviews and Ratings |publisher=Rate Your Music |access-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> The band held their third official fan club convention at Drummonds Convention, King's Cross, London.<ref name="davekempandslade81"/> In late 1989, after what was initially supposed to be an 18-month break, Holder announced plans for a new album. Due to be released in 1990, the album never materialised, nor did the tour that would have followed had the album been a success.<ref name="auto">Noddy Holder Interview – Sky By Day 1989</ref> 1989 saw "[[Merry Xmas Everybody]]" make another new chart appearance, this time reaching number 99 the week after "[[Let's Party (Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers song)|Let's Party]]" by [[Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers]], which sampled the song, topped the chart.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/>

In 1989, Hill formed his own group, Blessings in Disguise, with ex-[[Wizzard]] keyboard player Bill Hunt, Craig Fenney and Bob Lamb.<ref>Hill asked Noddy to be guest vocalist on the single Crying in the Rain sleeve notes</ref> During 1990, Lea released his own version of Slade's "[[We'll Bring the House Down (song)|We'll Bring the House Down]]" under the name The Clout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/artist/the-clout |title=The Clout Discography |website=45cat.com |access-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> At the end of the year, "Merry Xmas Everybody" was again re-released and peaked at number 93.<ref name="officialcharts.com"/>

In late 1990, both Holder and Lea produced a cover of "Merry Xmas Everybody" by the band The Metal Gurus, known mainly as [[The Mission (band)|The Mission]].<ref name="worlds1">{{cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/cdsingle/cd/gurcd1 |title=CD Singles - The Metal Gurus - Merry Xmas Everybody / Metal Guru - Mercury - UK - GURCD 1 |website=45worlds.com |access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref> The single peaked at number 55 in the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Merry+Xmas+Everybody |title=The Official Charts Company – Merry Xmas Everybody by Metal Gurus Search |date=6 May 2013 |publisher=The Official Charts Company }}</ref> and both Holder and Lea appeared in the song's music video,<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/TwpYzfMsAWU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20111231133704/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwpYzfMsAWU&feature=related Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|author= YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwpYzfMsAWU |title=THE METAL GURUS – Merry Xmas Everybody |via=YouTube |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=23 June 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> whilst Holder provided lead vocals on one of the single's b-sides, another Slade cover, "Gudbuy T'Jane".<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/73eIC2VR5Aw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140612054654/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73eIC2VR5Aw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|author= YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73eIC2VR5Aw |title=Slade – The Metal Gurus – Gudbuy T'Jane (Noddy Holder on Vocal) |via=YouTube |date=29 April 2012 |access-date=23 June 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> All artist royalties from the sale of the single were donated to Childline.<ref name="worlds1"/>