Dave Hill's autobiography is a good read. You get the sense that they were two bands, the TOTP, singles, Merry Christmas lot and the honed, hard slog, tight, live outfit. They'd been going for years before success hit and just as they made the big time put out Slade Alive which was their stage show pretty much bereft of hits, and a stonker.
There's a bloke at work, mid 60s, who's into music who I have some good chats with. I asked him who was the best band he'd seen live was. He said, 'Do you mean after Slade?' Said they were miles ahead of the rest for a while.
This is about the time of Slade Alive. Get past the pissing about at the start and it's a great track.
And I've put this up before. Close your eyes and it could be The Stooges.