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- The Specials
- Released 1979
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- The Specials
- Released 2002
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- The Singles Collection
- Released 1991
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- Greatest Hits
- Released 2006
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biography
True innovators of the punk era, the Specials began the British ska revival craze, combining the highly danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude, and taking on a more focused and informed political and social stance than their predecessors and peers.
The band was originally formed in Coventry, in 1977, as the Coventry Automatics and later the Special A.K.A. by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals), Neville Staples (vocals, percussion), Roddy Radiation (guitar), Sir Horace Gentleman (bass), and John Bradbury (drums). An opening slot for the Clash stirred up interest with the major labels, but Dammers instead opted to start his own 2-Tone label, named for its multiracial agenda and after the two-tone tonic suits favored by the like-minded mods of the '60s. The Dammers-designed logos, based in '60s pop art with black and white checks, gave the label an instantly identifiable look. Dammers' eye for detail and authenticity also led to the band adopting '60s-period rude-boy outfits (porkpie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers). The band released the "Gangsters" single, which reached the U.K. Top Ten. Soon after, hordes of bands and fans followed in the same tradition, and the movement was in full swing. Over the next several months, 2-Tone enjoyed hits by similar-sounding bands, such as Madness, the (English) Beat, and the Selecter. Late in 1979, the band released its landmark self-titled debut album, produced by Elvis Costello. They followed with several 2-Tone package tours and a live EP, Too Much Too Young (confusingly credited to Special A.K.A.). The title track, a pro-contraception song, was banned by the BBC but reached the number one spot in the U.K. At this time, the band switched musical directions, releasing album number two, More Specials, with a new neo-lounge persona. Signs indicated that the movement was fading and 2-Tone began to experience financial troubles. Nevertheless, a film documenting the 2-Tone package tours, Dance Craze, as well as its companion album, saw considerable success. The Specials released the timely "Ghost Town" single in 1981 amid race-related unemployment riots in Brixton and Liverpool. The single jumped to number one, but the band was falling apart. Hall, Staples, and Golding left to form Fun Boy Three, leaving the band without its trademark voice. Dammers held on, reverting back to the old name, Special A.K.A., and enlisted a new vocalist, Stan Campbell. After several years, they returned with In the Studio in 1984. They managed a few hits with "Racist Friend" and "Free Nelson Mandella," but the album stiffed. The band's final single, "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend," failed to break the British Top 40. Dammers dissolved the unit, pursuing political causes such as Artists Against Apartheid.
Shortly after the official breakup, various members of the band joined up with other bandless ska revivalists (English Beat, etc.) to form a touring unit named Special Beat. By the mid-'90s, in response to the third wave ska revival, a Dammers-less version of the Specials reappeared with a series of shameful cash-in albums: Today's Specials (1996,) Guilty Til Proved Innocent! (1998,) and Conquering Ruler (2002.) ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
The band was originally formed in Coventry, in 1977, as the Coventry Automatics and later the Special A.K.A. by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals), Neville Staples (vocals, percussion), Roddy Radiation (guitar), Sir Horace Gentleman (bass), and John Bradbury (drums). An opening slot for the Clash stirred up interest with the major labels, but Dammers instead opted to start his own 2-Tone label, named for its multiracial agenda and after the two-tone tonic suits favored by the like-minded mods of the '60s. The Dammers-designed logos, based in '60s pop art with black and white checks, gave the label an instantly identifiable look. Dammers' eye for detail and authenticity also led to the band adopting '60s-period rude-boy outfits (porkpie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers). The band released the "Gangsters" single, which reached the U.K. Top Ten. Soon after, hordes of bands and fans followed in the same tradition, and the movement was in full swing. Over the next several months, 2-Tone enjoyed hits by similar-sounding bands, such as Madness, the (English) Beat, and the Selecter. Late in 1979, the band released its landmark self-titled debut album, produced by Elvis Costello. They followed with several 2-Tone package tours and a live EP, Too Much Too Young (confusingly credited to Special A.K.A.). The title track, a pro-contraception song, was banned by the BBC but reached the number one spot in the U.K. At this time, the band switched musical directions, releasing album number two, More Specials, with a new neo-lounge persona. Signs indicated that the movement was fading and 2-Tone began to experience financial troubles. Nevertheless, a film documenting the 2-Tone package tours, Dance Craze, as well as its companion album, saw considerable success. The Specials released the timely "Ghost Town" single in 1981 amid race-related unemployment riots in Brixton and Liverpool. The single jumped to number one, but the band was falling apart. Hall, Staples, and Golding left to form Fun Boy Three, leaving the band without its trademark voice. Dammers held on, reverting back to the old name, Special A.K.A., and enlisted a new vocalist, Stan Campbell. After several years, they returned with In the Studio in 1984. They managed a few hits with "Racist Friend" and "Free Nelson Mandella," but the album stiffed. The band's final single, "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend," failed to break the British Top 40. Dammers dissolved the unit, pursuing political causes such as Artists Against Apartheid.
Shortly after the official breakup, various members of the band joined up with other bandless ska revivalists (English Beat, etc.) to form a touring unit named Special Beat. By the mid-'90s, in response to the third wave ska revival, a Dammers-less version of the Specials reappeared with a series of shameful cash-in albums: Today's Specials (1996,) Guilty Til Proved Innocent! (1998,) and Conquering Ruler (2002.) ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
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The Specials 2009 Tour Dates
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- By Ska Tcitr
- 12/30/2008 13:43:30
- Remember The Specials? They were an English pop/ ska revival band who
had a few number one hits in the late 70s and early 80s. Lead singer
Terry Hall also wrote “Our Lips Are Sealed” for the Go-Gos, which
turned out to be the most popular song anyone involved with this band
ever had, at least here in the United States. Well, the group is back
together minus original keyboardist Jerry Dammers who is none-too-happy
about his forced exit from the band he founded.
According to NME,
the group was unwilling to speak about Dammers’ exit because of ongoing
litigation, but they did announce five new gigs after their first round
of gigs sold out this morning. The dates start at the end of April and
run through the beginning of May. Tickets are still available for the
newly announced shows.
The Specials have added more tour dates to their reunion jaunt next year, after selling-out their first batch of shows.
This morning the group sold 45,000 tickets for their April / May
2009 tour, and now fans will have even more chances to see the ska
legends live.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of their debut single
'Gangsters', 3 further Brixton Academy dates have been added as well as
extra shows in Glasgow and Manchester.
Tickets are on sale now here.
April Tour Dates:
22 - Newcastle, Academy (Sold Out)
23 - Sheffield, Academy (Sold Out)
25 - Birmingham, Academy (Sold Out)
26 - Birmingham, Academy (Sold Out)
28 - Glasgow, Academy (Sold Out)
29 - Glasgow, Academy - NEW DATE
May Tour Dates:
3 - Manchester, Apollo (Sold Out)
4 - Manchester, Apollo - NEW DATE
6 - London, Brixton Academy (Sold Out)
7 - London, Brixton Academy (Sold Out)
8 - London, Brixton Academy - NEW DATE
11 - London, Brixton Academy - NEW DATE
12 - London, Brixton Academy - NEW DATE - Be the first person to rate this comment!
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most played
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- 195 plays
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- 160 plays
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- 103 plays
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tour dates
See all-
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22
- Nov
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- Nottingham, GB
- November 22, 2009
- Rock City
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24
- Nov
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- London, GB
- November 24, 2009
- Hammersmith Apollo
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25
- Nov
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- London, GB
- November 25, 2009
- Hammersmith Apollo
