Background
In February 1969, the group (then known as The 'N Betweens) managed to get a deal with Fontana Records. A&R boss Jack Baverstock teamed the band with engineer Roger Wake to record an album. Reluctantly the band agreed to Baverstock's condition that they adopted the name Ambrose Slade. "His secretary was a bit loopy, she named everything she owned," lead singer Noddy Holder later revealed. "Her handbag was called Ambrose, her powder compact Slade. Jack just put them together, we hated the name."
Fontana's other stipulation was the engagement of a reputable manager. In former Animals bassist Chas Chandler, who had already discovered Jimi Hendrix and guided the guitarist to worldwide fame, the band found the perfect choice.
Ambrose Slade's debut (and only) album 'Beginnings' was a mixture of self-penned songs, instrumentals and cover versions including two tracks by Steppenwolf ('Born to be Wild' and 'Everybody's Next One'). As to confirm the diversity of the group's influences, they also cut Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes' 'Journey to the Centre of Your Mind', 'Ain't Got No Heart' by Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention, The Moody Blues' 'Fly Me High', Lennon and McCartney's 'Martha My Dear' and 'If This World Were Mine' by Marvin Gaye.
Its one and only single was 'Genesis', an instrumental piece that the band later rewrote as 'Know Who You Are'. There was also another instrumental 'Mad Dog Cole', plus self-penned tracks 'Roach Daddy' and 'Pity the Mother'. Issued in April 1969, 'Beginnings' failed to dent the British or US charts (titled 'Ballzy' in America, it was later reissued by budget label Contour as 'Beginnings of Slade', with a different sleeve and revised track listing). An original vinyl copy in decent condition now fetches anything up to £500 at online auction.
A Promo Video was filmed on London's Euston Station to promote the albums release in April 1969. Overdubbed with "Mad Dog Cole" The promo video exists, the video was filmed in the style of a Benny Hill sketch.
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