About Me
**Please note-the current reformed Specials does not contain Jerry Dammers**
The band was originally formed in Coventry, in 1977, as "The Coventry Automatics" and later "The Special A.K.A." by songwriter and keyboardist Jerry Dammers. The full line up included Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals), Neville Staple (vocals, percussion), Roddy Radiation (guitar), Sir Horace Gentleman (bass), and John Bradbury (drums). An opening slot for the Clash stirred up interest from major record labels, but Dammers opted to start his own label called "2-Tone" after the multi-racial aspect of the band and the 60s influenced pop art features he had created. The logos designed by Dammers (black and white checkerboard and the Peter Tosh influenced Walt Jabsco man), gave the label an instantly identifiable look. The label was soon signing up like-minded bands. Dammers' eye for detail and authenticity also led to The Specials adopting '60s period rude-boy outfits (porkpie hats, tonic or mohair suits, and loafers). The band released the "Gangsters" single in May 1979 and it reached the U.K. Top Ten.
Soon after a number of bands and fans followed in the same direction, and the 2-Tone movement got into full swing. Over the next several months the 2-Tone label enjoyed hits by bands such as Madness, The Beat, The Selecter and The Bodysnatchers and the bands successfully toured together. Late in 1979 The Specials released their landmark self-titled debut album which was produced by Elvis Costello. They followed up their initial success with "Message To You Rudy", then shortly after released a live E.P. the title track to which was their pro-contraception track "Too Much Too Young" (credited to Special A.K.A) which, despite being banned by the BBC, reached the number one spot in the U.K. Their fourth hit "Rat Race" also reached the top 5.
In 1980 the band switched musical directions and released their second album "More Specials" which had a neo-lounge persona but maintained some of the ska influence (which is prevalent on side one of the album). Two more top ten hits came from this album, firstly the ode to the lad's culture "Stereotype" and the lilting reggae "Do Nothing". A film documenting the 2-Tone tours "Dance Craze" as well as its companion album, saw considerable success. After a six month break from touring and recording, 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 and to this day is renowned as a classic.
Soon after their success with Ghost Town The Specials disbanded. Hall, Golding and Staple formed The Fun Boy Three, whilst Dammers, Bradbury and Panter stayed on to be lead members of The Special AKA. (although Horace Panter left to join "The General Public"). Roddy Radiation took up full time residence with his band "The Tearjerkers".
Interest in The Specials has never waned, and their legacy has influenced a generation of musicians such as Primal Scream, Tricky, Blur, Lily Allen and many others. Following a successful 'secret' appearance at the Bestival festival in September 2008, the band (minus Jerry Dammers) announced they were to celebrate their 30th Anniversary in 2009 by holding a fourteen date tour of the UK. The tour sold out in minutes and promises to be THE event of the year. Roll on 22 April!
Born in Coventry on 19th March 1959, Terence Edward Hall was a well known face on the burgeoning 70s punk circuit in Coventry. At that time Terry became lead vocalist in the punk band "Squad" and it was here that his presence was noted by Specials founder Jerry Dammers. Jerry had him drafted into the line up of the "Coventry Automatics", an embryonic version of what would be The Specials. As 2Tone and the career of The Specials took off, Hall's sardonic deadpan persona became embedded in UK music history. He enjoyed the hard earned success of the band until the original split in 1981. Terry Hall was then a member of the Fun Boy Three before moving on to such outfits as "The Colour Field" and "Vegas". He has recognition for his quintessential English style of song writing and his solo work has gained many accolades.
Born in Jamaica on 11th April 1956, charismatic Neville was The Specials true “rude boy“. Neville started out working on sound systems then progressed to becoming roadie for the Coventry Automatics after he caught their live show and expressed an interest in them. He was recruited full time to the band after spontaneously toasting over the top of certain Automatics tunes. His inclusion was decisive and gave The Specials the edge they needed and livened up their stage shows with Neville’s renowned onstage showmanship. In 1981 he set up "Shack Records" .He was a founding member of the Fun Boy Three after the 81 Specials split and, always a hard worker, has not stopped working since, touring and recording with the Neville Staple band. Neville released solo albums in the USA and UK, and was an integral part of the successful Special Beat project.
Born on 24 July 1951 in Jamaica, peace loving Lynval Golding was one of the founders of what was to be The Specials when he teamed up with Jerry Dammers in the early days of The Coventry Automatics. Golding’s distinctive rhythm guitar was utterly recognisable and played a major part of The Specials sound and is easily distinguished in all the work he is involved with. Golding penned The Specials’ classics "Do Nothing" and "Why?". After The Specials Golding became a founder member of "The Fun Boy Three" and has worked non stop here in the UK and USA (He now lives in Seattle). He has been involved with The Special Beat and Stiff Upper Lips, as well as production work, promoting musical youth projects in Coventry. Lynval is currently appearing with UK Ska/Soul/Dub outfit Pama International, who were the first band to be signed to Trojan Records for 30 years and who have 3 acclaimed albums to their name. Lynval has also recently performed with Lily Allen on a number of occasions.
Born to a musical family background on the 5th May 1955 in Keresley, Roddy found his niche with the advent of punk. He formed the punk band "The Wild Boys" before being asked to play lead guitar in the Automatics by Jerry Dammers. He became an influential addition to The Specials’ sound with his punk/rock style in addition to his newly learned Ska licks. A prolific song writer and musician Roddy penned the hit "Rat Race" as well as the anthemic "Concrete Jungle". He wrote and sung the song "Braggin and Tryin’ Not To Lie" which was featured on the free single giveaway with the album “More Specialsâ€. Since The Specials he has successfully toured with his bands “The Tearjerkers“, “The Bonediggersâ€, “The Raiders†and is currently working and recording with his band “The Skabilly Rebelsâ€.
Born in India on 22nd May 1955, Jeremy David Hounsell Dammers became interested in music at an early age. His interest took off after he attended college to study art. It was at college where he met Horace Panter and Lynval Golding and where he first envisaged the idea of 2Tone. Dammer’s driving determination and creative mind almost single-handedly spearheaded the 2Tone movement. Jerry Dammers wrote a large number of The Specials’ hits. He later led The Special AKA to success with the worldwide hit "Nelson Mandela" and devoted his energies to getting Mandela released from prison. He worked with Anti-Apartheid groups and the massive Free Nelson Mandela concert was his brainchild. Dammers has worked consistently as a producer, musician and campaigner and has recently been working with his “Spatial AKA†jazz orchestra as well as being in demand as a DJ.
Born in Croydon on the 30th August 1953, Stephen Graham (Horace) Panter met Jerry Dammers at art college and the rest, as they say, is history. Horace was always a keen musician and played in a number of bands, including soul outfit "Breaker", before joining up with the fledgling Coventry Automatics. An accomplished bass player, his characteristic booming, looping sound is another Specials trademark. Panter co-wrote the track "Rude Boy’s Outta Jail". His nickname, Sir Horace Gentleman was given to him due to his polite mannerisms. Later, he was initially a member of The Special AKA and then he enjoyed more musical success with “General Public“, the group formed by ex-members of The Beat. Panter has remained in music joining up with various Coventry musicians, notably “Box Of Blues†with ex-Selecter Neol Davies. He is currently a teacher as well as musician.
Born in Coventry, John Bradbury attended Hull University. On his return to the town the reggae and soul loving drummer took up with a number of bands including the "The Transposed Men" where he played with "The Selecter's" Neol Davies. Both he and Davies would ultimately be responsible for the track "Kingston Affair"which became the track we know as "The Selecter" by The Selecter (the group did not exist at that time) and found national release as the flip side of The Specials' debut 45 "Gangsters". After the original Automatics' drummer departed, Dammers called on Brad and The Specials were complete. Bradbury produced the track "Sock it To Em JB" on the More Specials album and in 1981 he formed the record label "Race Records". He was part of The Special AKA and also leader and founder of the "JBs Allstars" soul revue band, who's final single "Alphabet Army" was released as last ever official 2Tone record. Brad has since worked with The Special Beat, the reformed Selecter and ska punkers "Big 5". He also produced the album "High and Dry" in the 90s for UK Ska resurgence act "Maroon Town".
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With thanks to Chalkie Davies, Philippe Carly, Jason Weir and Peter Walsh.
