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Look Wot I Dun
Look Wot I Dun is the story of Slade told through the eyes of drummer Don Powell whose life was shattered when, in 1973 at the height of the group's fame, he was involved in a horrific car crash. Unflinching in his honesty, Powell deals frankly with the aftermath of the accident that took the life of his girlfriend and left him with injuries that affect him to this day. Leader of the glam rock movement, Slade was the UK's biggest singles band from 1971 to 1974. Their many hits have become rock standards, not least of which was Merry Christmas Everybody, arguably Britain's all-time favorite Christmas song. This previously published book is now brought up to date in paperback format with an additional chapter from Don, detailing his touring activity over the last seven years, since the original release of his book in hardback.
- GenresMusicNonfictionBiography
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Lise Lyng Falkenberg
23 books13 followersI'm a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and hold a second Ph.D. degree in Cultural Studies as well as a B.A. in Semiotics.
When I was nineteen, I had a manuscript accepted by one of the leading publishing houses in my native country Denmark and so far, close to twenty of my books, mostly novels and biographies, have been published in both Danish and English along with hundreds of short stories, poems, essays, articles and reviews.
I have worked for Odense University Library and University of Southern Denmark as a researcher and parallel to my academic career, I took on jobs as a model, graphic artist, musician, carny, journalist, scriptwriter, photographer and director of documentaries and rock videos.
In 2005 I decided to put my Danish writing career behind me in order to concentrate on the US and the UK, both as a traditionally published author and an independent e-book author. In the US, especially my 2001 Monkees biography "The Monkees - Caught in a False Image" has been successful and was rereleased in an updated e-book version in 2012.
In the UK, most people will know me as the author behind the bestselling rock biography “Look Wot I Dun” about powerhouse drummer Don Powell from UK rock band Slade, which was released on Omnibus Press in October 2013. It got excellent reviews in the British music press and the first edition sold out even before it was published.
My preference within writing is fiction, though, mainly novels and short stories and always magic realism. My latest book is thus a collection of magic realistic short stories, named Metanoia, and published as an e-book in 2016.
Finally, I think it worth mentioning that I’m a descendant of Captain Conrad Wilhelm Ahlefeldt von Falkenberg who - according to German legends - is the Captain of the Flying Dutchman. The infamous army captain and delinquent, whose life has been object of a Danish novel, is my great-great-great-grandfather. Furthermore, I myself have appeared as a fictional character in a novel, namely in Søren Mosegaard’s "Dronning Margrethe von Donner und Blitz" from 2003.
When I was nineteen, I had a manuscript accepted by one of the leading publishing houses in my native country Denmark and so far, close to twenty of my books, mostly novels and biographies, have been published in both Danish and English along with hundreds of short stories, poems, essays, articles and reviews.
I have worked for Odense University Library and University of Southern Denmark as a researcher and parallel to my academic career, I took on jobs as a model, graphic artist, musician, carny, journalist, scriptwriter, photographer and director of documentaries and rock videos.
In 2005 I decided to put my Danish writing career behind me in order to concentrate on the US and the UK, both as a traditionally published author and an independent e-book author. In the US, especially my 2001 Monkees biography "The Monkees - Caught in a False Image" has been successful and was rereleased in an updated e-book version in 2012.
In the UK, most people will know me as the author behind the bestselling rock biography “Look Wot I Dun” about powerhouse drummer Don Powell from UK rock band Slade, which was released on Omnibus Press in October 2013. It got excellent reviews in the British music press and the first edition sold out even before it was published.
My preference within writing is fiction, though, mainly novels and short stories and always magic realism. My latest book is thus a collection of magic realistic short stories, named Metanoia, and published as an e-book in 2016.
Finally, I think it worth mentioning that I’m a descendant of Captain Conrad Wilhelm Ahlefeldt von Falkenberg who - according to German legends - is the Captain of the Flying Dutchman. The infamous army captain and delinquent, whose life has been object of a Danish novel, is my great-great-great-grandfather. Furthermore, I myself have appeared as a fictional character in a novel, namely in Søren Mosegaard’s "Dronning Margrethe von Donner und Blitz" from 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 20, 2019
Firstly I must mention, Slade were my favourite group, I grew up in the 70's with Glam Rock, loved the a lot of the music of the 70's, from Slade, Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Bay City Rollers and many more...
In Don Powell case, a perfect example of remembering all the stories, late nights , drinking was to keep a diary, and he did every day.
Why, you may ask?
As a fan it was well recorded and very sad and difficult time for the group in 1973 at the height of their career that Don Powell was involved in a tragic car accident that left him with amnesia, he could not remember anything, so his diaries gave him his memories, his stories.
Slade were the top selling group in the 70's, with so many great hits, often going to straight to number one in the charts, travelled the world 3-4 times over.
Massively popular throughout Europe, Australia but always struggled to make it in USA, until the early 80's by then it was too late, illness's , time apart, own projects, battles, new bands.
Lise, who writes this book from time spent with Don Powell and his diaries has told the story perfectly, the ups and downs.
Sadly how quickly you can be at the top, and fall so quickly. The severe arguments as usual about money, who has the right to use the name Slade, all comes down to egos, travelling and of course getting older.
Although Don Powell and Dave Hill still to this day travel around the world touring as Slade it really is not the same without the two songwriters Jimmy Lee and Noddy Holder, and of course Noddy Holder's great voice.
I admire Don and Dave but both in their 70's still glam rocking..... Just not sure...
But Slade will always be a great memory of my youth
Four Stars... Don Powell seemed the genuine nice guy of Slade and an honest guy.
In Don Powell case, a perfect example of remembering all the stories, late nights , drinking was to keep a diary, and he did every day.
Why, you may ask?
As a fan it was well recorded and very sad and difficult time for the group in 1973 at the height of their career that Don Powell was involved in a tragic car accident that left him with amnesia, he could not remember anything, so his diaries gave him his memories, his stories.
Slade were the top selling group in the 70's, with so many great hits, often going to straight to number one in the charts, travelled the world 3-4 times over.
Massively popular throughout Europe, Australia but always struggled to make it in USA, until the early 80's by then it was too late, illness's , time apart, own projects, battles, new bands.
Lise, who writes this book from time spent with Don Powell and his diaries has told the story perfectly, the ups and downs.
Sadly how quickly you can be at the top, and fall so quickly. The severe arguments as usual about money, who has the right to use the name Slade, all comes down to egos, travelling and of course getting older.
Although Don Powell and Dave Hill still to this day travel around the world touring as Slade it really is not the same without the two songwriters Jimmy Lee and Noddy Holder, and of course Noddy Holder's great voice.
I admire Don and Dave but both in their 70's still glam rocking..... Just not sure...
But Slade will always be a great memory of my youth
Four Stars... Don Powell seemed the genuine nice guy of Slade and an honest guy.
January 17, 2016
I grew up with Slade and bought all of their classic 1970s singles with my pocket money as a 10-13 year old glam fan. This is Dave Thompson capturing what is great about Slade…
…“in contrast to Marc Bolan’s fey cerebral other-worldliness, Slade were totally common, out-of-town yobbos intent on raising hell everywhere they went. Slade’s songs weren’t music, they were aural graffiti, slabs of working class consciousness spray painted across the wall of the Establishment, each new song more misspelled than the last”
Drummer Don Powell’s book (actually written by Don's friend Lise Lyng Falkenberg) has been sitting on my shelf for a few years and, after listening to Slade for the last few weeks, I was inspired to pick it up.
Two things emerge, Don has had more than his fair share of setbacks and problems, and he is also probably one of the nicest men in music, certainly the nicest member of Slade.
Don’s problems include an appalling car crash at Slade’s commercial peak and resultant permanent short term memory loss, loss of his sense of taste and smell, and loss of confidence; becoming an alcoholic; numerous broken relationships; serial promiscuity; a brief addiction to cocaine; frequently being penniless; and, of course, the roller coaster ride that was being a member of Slade.
In 1992, after Noddy Holder and Jim Lea had quit the band, Don and guitarist Dave Hill continued as the core of a second version of Slade that continues to this day. Noddy and Jim wrote most of Slade’s hits and own the publishing rights to most of the band’s music, so can afford to relax. Don and Dave have to keep earning. Noddy was not interviewed for this book and his voice is conspicuous by its absence, and some of the comments about Jim are a bit disparaging.
There are some amazing stories in Don’s book and, as a tale of resilience and fortitude, it is well worth reading. It is, however, too long and too detailed. Lise Lyng Falkenberg, who wrote it, seems to have felt obliged to include virtually everything she gathered from Don’s numerous friends and family, and much from his diaries (something Don habitually wrote to help combat his post-crash amnesia). It could have lost about 100 pages and that would have made it a more compelling read.
I was delighted that the book has a feel good ending. Don is now settled with a new family and seems to have conquered most of his demons, and learned to deal more ably with his amnesia.
Slade, at their peak, were a remarkable band, and Don’s eye witness account of this period is superb and if you're a fan of the band, or enjoy music memoirs, then this is well worth reading.
3/5
…“in contrast to Marc Bolan’s fey cerebral other-worldliness, Slade were totally common, out-of-town yobbos intent on raising hell everywhere they went. Slade’s songs weren’t music, they were aural graffiti, slabs of working class consciousness spray painted across the wall of the Establishment, each new song more misspelled than the last”
Drummer Don Powell’s book (actually written by Don's friend Lise Lyng Falkenberg) has been sitting on my shelf for a few years and, after listening to Slade for the last few weeks, I was inspired to pick it up.
Two things emerge, Don has had more than his fair share of setbacks and problems, and he is also probably one of the nicest men in music, certainly the nicest member of Slade.
Don’s problems include an appalling car crash at Slade’s commercial peak and resultant permanent short term memory loss, loss of his sense of taste and smell, and loss of confidence; becoming an alcoholic; numerous broken relationships; serial promiscuity; a brief addiction to cocaine; frequently being penniless; and, of course, the roller coaster ride that was being a member of Slade.
In 1992, after Noddy Holder and Jim Lea had quit the band, Don and guitarist Dave Hill continued as the core of a second version of Slade that continues to this day. Noddy and Jim wrote most of Slade’s hits and own the publishing rights to most of the band’s music, so can afford to relax. Don and Dave have to keep earning. Noddy was not interviewed for this book and his voice is conspicuous by its absence, and some of the comments about Jim are a bit disparaging.
There are some amazing stories in Don’s book and, as a tale of resilience and fortitude, it is well worth reading. It is, however, too long and too detailed. Lise Lyng Falkenberg, who wrote it, seems to have felt obliged to include virtually everything she gathered from Don’s numerous friends and family, and much from his diaries (something Don habitually wrote to help combat his post-crash amnesia). It could have lost about 100 pages and that would have made it a more compelling read.
I was delighted that the book has a feel good ending. Don is now settled with a new family and seems to have conquered most of his demons, and learned to deal more ably with his amnesia.
Slade, at their peak, were a remarkable band, and Don’s eye witness account of this period is superb and if you're a fan of the band, or enjoy music memoirs, then this is well worth reading.
3/5
March 13, 2014
Such an interesting book! It really draws you into it and makes you feel like you're living it all alongside Don and his bandmates. Amazing to see that connection with so many other bands and musicians who I listen to from their beginning times.
Definitely a must read for any Slade fan. Really gives an insight to what it means to do what you love, and do it with passion, through difficulties and ease. Such a good book. :)
Definitely a must read for any Slade fan. Really gives an insight to what it means to do what you love, and do it with passion, through difficulties and ease. Such a good book. :)
September 24, 2015
The best of the Slade and 70s biographies I've read. It's honest frank and unlike the Noddy Holder biography is warts and all. It's a great insight into fame fourtune and then loss and building your life back again. It also shows the inequality of bands where the writers get the spoils and yet if you believe the band is s combination of parts how the non writers lose out hence why Slade 2 exists because Don and Dave only get money by touring. Good descriptions of the perils of drinking and Rick n roll life and of course in dons case living with amnesia from his car accident that nearly killed him and killed his girlfriend. Excellent book
March 15, 2014
I'm a massive fan of the original line up, live they where awesome
This book filled some gaps for me in the bands history & it was refreshing to read something so honest. I can honestly say it's so refreshing to read a biography that is not an ego trip or something to settle old battles. I knew Dave & Don had to carry on playing to make a living and hats off to them for just "getting down & getting on with it"
This book filled some gaps for me in the bands history & it was refreshing to read something so honest. I can honestly say it's so refreshing to read a biography that is not an ego trip or something to settle old battles. I knew Dave & Don had to carry on playing to make a living and hats off to them for just "getting down & getting on with it"
March 27, 2019
Loved this ,brought back memories of when I was younger listening to slade. To read what happened to the group in private was great. Great to see it worked out well for Don
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April 25, 2015Great book with a lot of insights regarding Slade that I didn't know. Including the fact they almost hired Robert Plant before Noddy Holder and that they nearly joined with Nick Van Eade before he made it big. It also reveals the gritty side of the rock business and the debauchery. The people they knew and met, amazing.
February 8, 2016
It took me seven years to write this book and loads and loads of interviews, reasearch and reading Don's old diaries, so I am a bit annoyed that Goodreads lists the book as written BY Don Powell. It's ABOUT him, but not BY him! Oh, well....
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews