Gudbuy Gudbuy

Zoo Freaks, get ready for a wild ride with Slade's "Gudbuy Gudbuy" from their 1972 album Slayed?, spinning on THE ZOO! This track, a lesser-known gem from the glam rock giants, was penned by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. Unlike its chart-smashing counterpart "Gudbuy T'Jane," this song didn’t hit the singles chart but packs the same raucous energy. In a 1980 interview with Sounds, Jim Lea revealed the band wasn’t always thrilled with their hits, admitting they "all hated" the similar "Gudbuy T'Jane" when they recorded it, knocking it out in just half an hour. While no specific quote ties directly to "Gudbuy Gudbuy," its raw, stomping vibe suggests it was cut from the same spontaneous cloth, likely born in a flurry of studio creativity. The song’s gritty guitar riffs and Noddy’s cool-as-ice vocals, paired with Dave Hill’s searing guitar break, make it a standout, with Sleaze Roxx calling it a tank-like lurcher that captures Slade’s arena-ready swagger.

The inspiration for "Gudbuy Gudbuy" remains a bit mysterious, but its lyrical cousin "Gudbuy T'Jane" offers a clue. Noddy Holder shared in his autobiography Who's Crazee Now? that "Gudbuy T'Jane" was sparked by a quirky San Francisco TV co-host named Jane, a hippie who rocked platform shoes she called her "‘40s trip boots." Jim Lea cooked up that track’s title and melody by a pool in San Diego, finalizing it in an airplane bathroom at 20,000 feet. While "Gudbuy Gudbuy" doesn’t have the same documented backstory, its playful, rebellious spirit feels like it could’ve been fueled by a similar wild encounter on Slade’s American tour. The Slayed? album, including this track, was a party from start to finish, with AllMusic praising its non-stop energy and ability to blend glam with classic rock, making it a perfect fit for Zoo Crew’s vinyl-spinning vibe.

Slade’s journey to rock stardom kicked off in Wolverhampton, England, where the band formed as The ‘N Betweens in 1966. Noddy Holder, born in 1946, started young, fronting The Rockin’ Phantoms at 13 before joining The Mavericks, a local act signed by Columbia. Drummer Don Powell and guitarist Dave Hill, already gigging together, recruited Holder after he turned them down twice, lured by better cash in Germany. Multi-instrumentalist Jim Lea rounded out the lineup, and the chemistry clicked instantly, as Holder recalled in a 2023 Big Issue interview: “We played a couple of numbers together, and we knew we’d got something going.” Initially called Ambrose Slade, they flopped with their 1969 debut Beginnings and briefly went skinhead for Play It Loud in 1970. Glam rock was their ticket, and under manager Chas Chandler (ex-Jimi Hendrix), they hit big with 1971’s “Get Down and Get With It,” setting the stage for Slayed?’s number-one UK triumph.

Slade became glam rock titans, racking up 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six UK number ones, all penned by Holder and Lea. Their misspelled song titles and anthemic sound influenced bands like KISS and Quiet Riot, with Sleaze Roxx noting their impact on ‘80s hair metal. Despite their success, the band stayed grounded, with Holder valuing the days of “four guys having a laugh together” over lucrative reunion offers, as he told Big Issue. Holder left in 1992, but Slade’s legacy endures, with their best-selling single “Merry Xmas Everybody” selling over a million copies. The band’s raw energy and knack for sing-along anthems like “Gudbuy Gudbuy” keep them spinning on stations like THE ZOO.

Connect with Slade’s legacy online! Their official discography site, Slade Discography, is a treasure trove of vinyl, CDs, and band history. While the band’s original lineup isn’t active, you can follow Noddy Holder on Facebook and Instagram for updates on his solo gigs and cancer-defying journey. His X account keeps the vibe alive with fan interactions. For fan communities, check out Slayed for news and the Slade Forum for deep dives into their discography. Join the Slade Fan Club on Facebook to connect with fellow Zoo Freaks who still get slayed by tracks like “Gudbuy Gudbuy”!