THE casualty list tells its own story. More than 50 youths and girls were treated for fainting and shock, others complained of headaches and earache because of the noise. That was the scene at King George's Hall last night when 2,000 young fans welcomed chart - topping group Slade, back to North East Lancashire with their "Slade's Crazee Nite"

Ten nurses and 10 male attendants from Blackburn branch of the British Red Cross Society, who volunteered for duty at the concert, had a hard job dealing with the casualties at their makeshift first aid post outside the main hall.

Divisional officer Norman Lakin, who was in charge of the operation, said later "Since Slade came on stage we have had a constant stream of fans coming in here. Most of them have been treated for fainting and being crushed in front of the stage."

 

Crushed

"We have had one or two ill - with headaches and earache too. This is the hardest job we have ever had at a concert at King George's Hall."

It was no surprise that some fans complained of headache and earache, and that many others were walking round with their fingers in their ears. For Slade are LOUD, too loud to listen to in comfort and certainly too loud for fans to really enjoy their music. Even in the bar at the back of the hall with the doors closed the sound was overpowering.

But it did not seem to deter the hundreds of banner and scarf waving youngsters who packed the auditotium in front of the stage or the hundreds of others upstairs in the balcony.

 

Football

From the opening blast of "Take Me Bak 'Ome" to the dying echoes of the encore "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" most of them were on their feet, arms in the air, clapping and swaying to the songs that have taken Slade to the top of the charts several times in the past three years.

Even with the so called quieter numbers like "When The Lights Go Out" and their current hit "Everyday" the scenes were more reminiscent of a football match than a pop concert. Slade had the fans chanting 'Rovers, Rovers' and singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone"

During the most raucous number, "Get Down And Get With It" temporary barriers put up round the stage to cover last month's fire damage gave way under the crush of bodies.

The support group, Beckett, had the unenviable task of opening the show. they have improved a lot since they played at the hall last year, but anyone who wanted to listen to them had to put up with chants of "We want Slade" and banners being waved in front of the group.

They deserved a better audience with a selection of their own songs from their first album, and a version of Neil Young's " Southern Man"

A 15 year old Fulwood girl, Pam Crook, won a cassette recorder in a competition at the interval to find the best dressed Slade fan.