Scoreload

The Specials are an iconic English band formed in Coventry in 1977, widely credited as the pioneers of the 2 Tone ska revival movement.Formed by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers in Coventry, England, in 1977.Released the influential single 'Gangsters' on their own 2 Tone label in 1979, kickstarting the movement.Their self-titled debut album (1979) became a landmark, blending ska, rocksteady, punk energy, and socially conscious lyrics addressing racism, unemployment, and youth alienation.Achieved major UK chart success with hits like 'A Message to You, Rudy', 'Too Much Too Young', and the haunting 'Ghost Town' (1981).Known for their racially integrated lineup (Terry Hall, Neville Staple, Lynval Golding, Roddy Radiation, Horace Panter, John Bradbury, Jerry Dammers) and distinctive black-and-white checkered imagery.The original lineup fractured due to internal tensions, leading to Hall, Golding, and Staple forming Fun Boy Three in 1981, effectively ending the first era.Experienced multiple reunions and lineup changes over subsequent decades, including the Specials Mk2 and Terry Hall & the Specials, with varying levels of original member participation.Continued touring and recording sporadically, releasing albums like 'Encore' (2019) and 'Protest Songs 1924-2012' (2021).

• The band's multiracial makeup was a powerful political statement against the backdrop of significant racial tension and the rise of the National Front in late 1970s Britain.
• Internal conflict was a major factor in the 1981 breakup. Songwriting disputes, pressure, and differing ambitions (particularly between Jerry Dammers and Terry Hall) created irreconcilable tensions.
• Their iconic song 'Ghost Town', capturing the desolation and riots in UK cities during the 1981 recession, unexpectedly hit #1 in the UK charts. Its eerie sound and powerful message resonated deeply during a turbulent summer.
• Founder Jerry Dammers left the band acrimoniously in the mid-1980s during the 'Special AKA' phase over creative control and the band's direction, leading to long-lasting estrangement from other members.
• Despite the early tensions, various reunions occurred. The most significant, starting around 2008, featured Hall, Golding, Staple, Panter, and Bradbury (until his death in 2015), touring extensively to great acclaim.
• Vocalist Terry Hall passed away on December 18, 2022, after a brief illness with pancreatic cancer. His distinctive, melancholic voice was a defining element of the band's sound.