Don Powell, a founding member of the legendary English rock band Slade, is back with his band The Dreamers for their debut album, "It's Never Too Late to be a Rockstar." The album is a blend of blues and rockabilly, brimming with defiance and gusto that showcases Powell's background in making hit records.
During the 1970s, Slade dominated the UK singles charts and outperformed chart rivals such as T. Rex, Suzi Quatro, Roxy Music, and even David Bowie. Don achieved twelve Top 5 hit singles in the UK, three of which went straight to #1. Now, decades after the success of his career in glam rock, Powell is still making music and regular live shows with the new project, hoping to experience even more success.
The Dreamers, a newly-assembled outfit of Norwegian and Danish musicians, including Helge Solberg, Knud Moller, Henrik Littauer, and Erik Ove Anderson, are the latest in an impressive string of Powell's collaborators, including Ringo Starr and Suzi Quatro. The album was recorded live in the studio, showcasing Powell's old-school show of musicality.
The album title, "It's Never Too Late to be a Rockstar," is inspired by the slogan of an urban mission house in Tromsø, Norway, promoting an encouraging worldview among the mission's socially exposed users. Powell says, "We're really just a bunch of old lads doing what we like, and it's inspiring to feel that even at our age, there is no lack of energy in our musical output, and to see that people actually have great taste for it."
The band members are no strangers to the big stages, with their combined experience appearing on more than 1000 different albums, EPs, and singles. The album features most tracks played "out of the box," with only a few added features such as gospel singers, saxophones, harmonica, and organ by the true rock legend Mick Gallagher.
The album pays homage to The Animals, with a cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" kicking off the record. Powell also refreshes Slade's 1974 hit, "Far Far Away," harking back to the band's legacy. The album proves that Powell's zest for their brand of uplifting rock music is still alive and well, and just like Slade's presence in the end-of-year charts, it's not going anywhere.
Comments