A rock legend has revealed that John Lennon of The Beatles played a surprise part in Slade's Christmas hit, Merry Xmas Everybody.
The band was formed in Wolverhampton in 1963, with lead singer Noddy Holder, Jim Lea on bass and drummer Don Powell, completing the line-up.
Known for their chart-topping hits and eye-catching outfits, the four musicians played a pivotal role in the glam rock genre and grew a fanbase all over the world.
Ahead of appearing in Oxford earlier this month for Slade's final tour, Dave Hill, the founding guitarist of the iconic rock band, sat down with us for an exclusive interview.
READ MORE: Slade legend shares relief after bandmate Noddy Holder's 'life saved'
Slade's standout song from the band's rich music catalogue is undoubtedly the Christmas classic, Merry Xmas Everybody.
The song had nearly half a million advance orders and sold 350,000 copies on its release day back in December 1973, going straight to number one.
Yet the backstory to its recording is a unique story featuring The Beatles' frontman, John Lennon.
"We were in New York and, no word of a lie, John Lennon was in the studio," revealed Mr Hill.
"John Lennon was a friend of our manager, Chas Chandler, and he asked, 'How's it going, mate?'
READ MORE: Rock legend Dave Hill talks Slade, Noddy Holder and Jeremy Clarkson
"Chas wondered how long John would be using the space, and he told us that he was thinking of pulling out at that moment.
"We told him that we were doing a Christmas song, and he said we could have the studio.
"Now, the funny thing is, in that studio, there was a harmonium that belonged to John, and when you listen to Merry Xmas Everybody, you can hear it starting the song off.
"So, it's thanks to John Lennon because that particular sound made it more Christmasy-sounding.
"When Chas finished the song, he played it to John, and he immediately said, 'I like his voice. He sounds like me.'
READ MORE: Rock legend 'amazed' with Oxford University during visit
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"And he was referring to Noddy, and that is a true fact.
"If you listen to John Lennon's voice in Twist and Shout and all that, you can hear the rasp in his voice like Nod."
Reflecting on his time with Slade, Mr Hill said: "Nod, Jim and Don helped me have this career in music because the things they brought to the table made it happen.
"Nod and Jim were the great writers, and they did all the number ones, but we had many gifts on stage, and the clothes played a big part, top hats, glitter and all the rest of it.
"We will never repeat the experience we had together as a group, you know.
"That's not going to come again; it is written in stone and very much part of British history."
