9:24am Thursday 12th April 2007
By Tom Parkes
Glam rockers Slade have been signed up by promoters aiming to turn an island music festival into a major highlight of Essex's summer calendar.
The 1970s sensations behind hits like Cum on Feel the Noize will headline Mersea Music Festival on July 14, with a line-up starring legendary goofy-teethed guitarist Dave Hill.
The group's performance will top off a day of live shows which backers hope will draw more than 2,000 people to Waldegraves Holiday Park.
Backed by the Rotary Club of Mersea Island, the festival replaces Bands by the Sands, which featured primarily amateur and part-time bands from the Colchester area.
West Mersea entertainer Steve Travis was brought in to "up the ante" in 2007 by using his industry knowledge to recruit crowd-pulling acts.
Other bands include Blondie tribute Platinum Blond, Irish group the Onion Band and award-winning Indie tunesmiths Absent Kid.
Part of the profits from the event will go to Little Havens Children's Hospice, and all car parking charges will be donated to charity.
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