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British trumpeter and founding member of the influential ska band The Beat (known as The English Beat in North America).Dave Brookes was a core member of The Beat from their formation in Birmingham, UK, in 1978. He played trumpet on their seminal albums 'I Just Can't Stop It' (1980), 'Wha'ppen?' (1981), and 'Special Beat Service' (1982), contributing to their unique blend of ska, punk, pop, and reggae that defined the 2 Tone era. The band achieved significant UK chart success before splitting in 1983.

• Brookes was one of the few white members in the racially integrated lineup of The Beat, a band strongly associated with the anti-racist message of the 2 Tone movement.
• Following the initial split of The Beat in 1983, Brookes, like other members, pursued other musical projects, though none reached the same level of fame as The Beat.
• He has participated in various reunions of The Beat/The English Beat alongside different former members over the years, often playing to enthusiastic audiences nostalgic for the 2 Tone sound.