‘Slade’s mega-hit earns me nothing’
MERRY XMAS DAVE GETS NO ROYALTIES
SLADE guitarist Dave Hill has not pocketed a penny from Merry Xmas Everybody.
The Seventies rocker revealed he is not looped in on most of the royalties – while singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea rake in cash every year from the 1973 hit.
Dave, 72, said: “I’ve heard it gets more royalties from more countries than any other song ever recorded, but I only get performance royalties.
“It’s only fair Nod and Jim get the lion’s share of the royalties. Nod gets the most as he wrote more of it.
“But I honestly don’t begrudge him that.”
Dave said he could have made more money, but chose to focus on the music.
He said: “People assume I’ve made millions and millions, but I never did. I’m not against doing well and earning money, but it’s never been about that for me.
“The Seventies were great for us. We made lots of money, but most went on tax – up to
90% of it. Some artists moved abroad to avoid paying so much, but we were very British and stayed in the UK.”
He added: “I just really enjoyed entertaining people.”
Despite the song’s success, Dave revealed the group were surprised it was such a hit.
He said: “We recorded it in New York in the summer of
’73. We weren’t convinced it was going to be a hit but it sold a million copies on the first day and shot to No1.”
He added: “I’m proud of that song and never tire of playing it.”