Glam 1970s bands Slade and Sweet are rocking venues across the UK as part of a joint tour. Four decades on, outrageous outfits and onstage antics are guaranteed, as Dave Hill told Kathryn Tye.

Dave Hill shot to fame in the 1970s as the flamboyant guitarist with the unusual hairdo in chart-topping band Slade.

Now aged 67, and a grandfather of three, he hasn’t lost any of his passion for performance – or outrageous fashion – and is loving being on tour with fellow glam rockers Sweet.

He said: “We were often playing the same places, and last year we said, why don’t we have a go at touring together? We got on great, as we come from the same period.

"I have known Andy Scott since 1968, when we were first on Top of the Pops together. So we decided to do it again.

“It isn’t just fun for us, it is great for the audience, as they get so much for the price of the ticket - two lots of hit records in one night.”

Both bands were renowned for their extravagant clothes and larger-than-life personas, and four decades on they are still living up to their reputation.

Dave said: “I might not be able to get into the same outfits that I did in my 20s, but we don’t ever dress down! That’s part of it. Fans say to me, ‘It wasn’t just about the music – I tuned into Top of the Pops to see what you’d be wearing.’

“We made people smile and this show will hopefully do the same. It is mayhem! Audiences are going to have a good night.”

The music industry has radically transformed since Slade’s heyday, changes Dave feels have been mostly for the worse.

“In the 1970s you knew what was No.1. Now there’s 10 million music channels, you can’t remember anyone. And there’s no real characters anymore, like Rod Stewart and David Bowie. Instead, we have singers who are on shows like the X Factor, have a No.1 single, and are then finished.

“Being successful was a slow thing when we were starting out. We didn’t plan it, we just worked for a long time, building up our abilities as musicians and performers. Slade were also lucky enough to have the right material and a fresh image, which combined to create some sort of magic.”

Dave admits that it took a long time for him and his bandmates to adjust to becoming famous.

“One minute you are just playing guitar with a bunch of blokes, and the next you walk into your local pub and everyone stares at you. You go into a kind of bubble, slightly removed from reality, and you have to get your head around that.

“Luckily we had each other, and all came from working class families so we didn’t get into any rubbish.”

Even after the band’s split, that unique bond has endured over the years, particularly between Dave and singer Noddy Holder.

Dave said: “It has been 20 years since Nod has performed with me, but it still remains something special. I know a lot of bands split up and get bitter, but I like to think I could pick up the telephone and call Nod.”

Still living in Wolverhampton with his wife of 40 years, Dave may be at the age when many people think of retirement, but he has no intention of hanging up his trademark hat anytime soon.

“It’s not just about the money, I really enjoy what I do. I have been doing it nearly 50 years but I still get a real thrill from going out on stage. The most important thing is to not take it too seriously and have fun.”

Slade and Sweet will be at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre on Sunday, November 10 (tickets from £26, call 01322 220000) and at Chatham’s Central Theatre on Wednesday, November 13 (tickets from £25.50, call 01634 338338).