The Specials

  • Coventry, England
    hometown
  • Rock
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  • 1977
    started
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About The Specials


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 Specials debuted with the "Gangsters" single, which reached the U.K. Top Ten in 1979. Soon after, hordes of bands and fans followed in the same tradition, and the movement reached 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 debut album, The Specials, 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.

"Ghost Town," one of the band's most significant singles, was issued in 1981 amid race-related unemployment riots in Brixton and Liverpool. The song 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, including "Racist Friend" and "Free Nelson Mandela," 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 and pursued political causes such as Artists Against Apartheid.

Shortly after the official breakup, various members of the band joined up with other 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, Rovi

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Music

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  • Too Much Too Young (Live)
    the-specials
    Video
    Too Much Too Young (Live)
  • Rat Race
    the-specials
    Video
    Rat Race
  • 854
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    • A Message To You Rudy
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/8/0/5/0/0/106600508.mp3
    • Ghost Town (Extended Version)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/2/3/8/3/105738326.mp3
    • Little Bitch
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/2/5/0/7/106970523.mp3
    • Monkey Man
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/5/9/5/9/8/106989595.mp3
    • Little Bitch (2012 - Remaster)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/9/2/8/7/0/927607829.mp3
    • Stupid Marriage
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/8/9/6/3/6/106363698.mp3

Photos

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  • The Specials

News

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  • The Specials
    Saturday Night Live Gives Bill Hader (And Stefon) A Fond Farewell
    VH1 Celebrity
    May 19, 2013
    What do you get when you combine a wedding, Anderson Cooper , DJ Baby Bok Choy, Amy Poehler and " Dean Cain 's List of Homeboys You Don't Mess With...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    Justin Timberlake And Juicy J Recorded 'A Couple' Tracks
    MTV News
    May 16, 2013
    'Justin is super talented,' the 'Bandz' MC tells 'RapFix Live' of working with JT for his Stay Trippy album.
    Read More
  • The Specials
    Jerry Dammers edged out of Specials reunion?
    prefixmag.com
    It looks like all is not well in The Specials camp. The pioneering British ska outfit, set to play a string of U.K. reunion dates next spring in celeb...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    Amy Winehouse Returns to the Stage With the Specials at V Fest
    www.rollingstone.com
    Photo: Ryan/AP Photo Amy Winehouse made a surprise appearance at this weekend's V Festival in the U.K., taking the stage with ska legends the Specials...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    The Specials suit up for 30th anniversary reunion
    prefixmag.com
    Hey ska fans, The Specials are coming to a UK town near you! If you don't believe us check out Lynval Golding getting sized at London's Ace Face Tonic...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    Reunited Specials to launch U.S. tour on "Fallon"
    music.yahoo.com
    -show run at L.A.'s Whisky-a-Go-Go and several arena gigs supporting the Police. While the band didn't enjoy the same level of success in the United S...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    Black Eyed Peas, Justin Bieber, More To Perform On New Year's Eve Specials
    MTV News
    for their aptly named CNN show, "New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin." The pair worked ... Black Eyed Peas, Justin Bieber, More...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    Michael Jackson Anniversary Marked by Dancing, Exhibits, Specials | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    Thriller" tribute stage show makes its way from Europe and the Middle East across the Atlantic ... Michael Jackson Anniversary Marked by Dancing, Exhi...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    The Specials To Make U.S. Return On 'Fallon' Show | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    in the U.K. and spawned an entire youth subculture that encompassed both music and fashion. Between 1979 and 1981, the group scored seven consecutive ...
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  • The Specials
    Aphex Twin Releases New 'Seaside Specials' Clip (Video)
    prefixmag.com
    Aphex Twin may claim to have six albums ready, but whether any of those will see the light of day in the near future is moot. Richard D. James is noto...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    Black Eyed Peas, Justin Bieber, More To Perform On New Year's Eve Specials
    MTV News
    Fox at 11 p.m., with Carmen Electra serving as host to musical acts like "American Idol" alums Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta. Sean Kingston is also s...
    Read More
  • The Specials
    Rare Songs, Holiday Specials and More Dot My Morning Jacket's Cap Debut
    www.jambands.com
    "In Bloom." MMJ will return to the Cap this evening. Here's a look at last night's setlist via Setlist.fm Thursday, December 27, Capitol Theatre, Port...
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Tour Dates

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  • May 22 Wednesday
    Birmingham, UK O2 Academy Birmingham
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  • May 23 Thursday
    Newport, UK Newport Centre
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  • May 25 Saturday
    Margate, UK Winter Gardens
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  • May 26 Sunday
    Portsmouth, UK Portsmouth Guildhall
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  • May 28 Tuesday
    London, UK O2 Academy Brixton
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  • May 29 Wednesday
    London, UK O2 Academy Brixton
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  • Jul 7 Sunday
    Montreal, QC, Canada Metropolis
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  • Jul 9 Tuesday
    Toronto, ON, Canada Kool Haus
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  • Jul 11 Thursday
    Boston, MA, US House of Blues
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  • Jul 12 Friday
    Silver Spring, MD, US The Fillmore Silver Spring
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  • Jul 13 Saturday
    Upper Darby, PA, US Tower Theatre
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  • Jul 16 Tuesday
    Danbury, CT, US Ives Concert Park
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  • Jul 17 Wednesday
    New York, NY, US Hudson River Park - Pier 26
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  • Jul 18 Thursday
    Huntington, NY, US The Paramount
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  • Jul 20 Saturday
    Asbury Park, NJ, US The Stone Pony
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Discography

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  • In the Studio (2012)
    The Specials
    In the Studio (2012)
    EMI Japan
  • More...Or Less. The Specials Live (2012)
    The Specials
    More...Or Less. The Specials Live (2012)
    Chrysalis Records
  • Guilty 'Til Proved Innocent! (1998)
    The Specials
    Guilty 'Til Proved Innocent! (1998)
    MCA Records
  • Today's Specials (1996)
    The Specials
    Today's Specials (1996)
    Virgin
  • In the Studio (1984)
    The Specials
    In the Studio (1984)
    Chrysalis Records
  • More Specials (1980)
    The Specials
    More Specials (1980)
    Chrysalis Records
  • The Specials (1979)
    The Specials
    The Specials (1979)
    2-Tone
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