Slade star Dave Hill's debut album honours city

Slade star Dave Hill is set to release his debut solo album, paying homage to some of his old haunts in Wolverhampton.

Named Dirty Foot Lane, the 10-track album was named after a road near his childhood home and not far from where he lives today.

He collaborated with Noddy Holder's son, Django Holder, on the project, his first since the break-up of the band behind hits such as Merry Xmas Everybody.

"It's got a lot of depth to it, every one of those tracks is a true story about someone close or someone I've lost," he told BBC Radio WM.

The album blends rock, blues and folk, capturing the energy of Hill's live-performance roots alongside his personal journey, including struggles with mental health and the impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

"When I started to write, I knew when something was good - it would almost make me cry," the 80-year-old added.

He continued: "I was talking to Noddy Holder, [who is] probably one of my best friends in life, and he encouraged me to write my own music.

"Wolverhampton was where I lived. [I remember] the council estate and the cinema and growing up in the days when Doris Day was in the charts. I loved her. I used to watch Flash Gordon at the cinema."

Hill also teamed up with American country music star John Berry for the album.

He also told BBC Radio WM that he has plans to release two further albums in the future.

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