Daryl Easlea is a writer, DJ and music consultant. He is at his happiest writing about African-American pop or great musical eccentrics. He has written critically-acclaimed biographies on CHIC, Sparks, Michael Jackson and Peter Gabriel. Daryl Easlea was in music retail between 1979 and 1997, and left to belatedly take his degree in American History and International History at Keele, where he also ran the student radio station. He began writing professionally in 1999. After graduating in 2000, he became the deputy editor at Record Collector, where he remains a regular contributor. His work has also appeared in Mojo, various Q and Mojo specials, Prog Magazine, The Guardian, Uncut, Dazed & Confused, The Independent, Socialism, The Glasgow Herald, The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die and bbc.co.uk.

A Sunday Times Book of the Year 2023“An extensive, entertaining and illuminating look at the mercurial if qualified success story of one of Britain’s greatest hit making bands. A must have for the music buff.” Phil Jupitus“Informative and thoroughly readable... one of the joys is the context in which it places both the band’s music as well as the young men who made it.” Telegraph“A clear headed analysis” Record Collector“Slade should be revered. Here’s a book that does that.” Bob Geldof“The combination of Daryl’s writing skills, research and contributions from fans has cumulated in a book that gives Slade the serious recognition it deserves.” Jim Lea (Slade)"Makes me want to go and investigate the obscure corners of the catalogue, which is always the sign of a great bio." Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree)“At last! An author with insight, sympathy and commitment has written a substantial book about Slade that dissects the highs and lows of a career that is unique in the annals of British pop” Chris Charlesworth, Just Backdated“Daryl Easlea analyses Slade’s phenomenal career with a serious eye, placing them in context between Bowie and Mud and evoking a world of ‘backstreet boozers with their pickled eggs and Big D peanut displays.’” Victoria Segal, The Sunday Times“One of the joys of the informative and thoroughly readable new book . . . is the context in which it places both the band’s music as well as the young men who made it.” Ian Winwood, The Daily Telegraph**** “A true labour of love” Andy Fyfe, Mojo**** “(A) comprehensive analysis of all things loud and yobbish” Joel McIver, Record Collector8/10 “A thorough, detailed, probably definitive appraisal.” David Stubbs, Classic Rock“An engaging account of . . . one of the most underrated and influential bands of the 1970s.” Iain Key, Louder Than War“The definitive final word on the band’s four-decade career” The Afterword“An appropriately foot-stomping account of the Slade story” Peter Gallagher, Shindig“An excellent in-depth history of the much-undervalued band whose Merry Xmas Everybody has become such an important part of the festive season.” Choice Magazine“This is the new Slade bible” Don Powell (Slade)