The 2 Tone Story - BBC 6 Music 25th August 2019

An updated account of the chequered history of Coventry's 2 Tone record label to mark it's 40th anniversary..... without doubt one of the most important labels in music history.

WAV: https://we.tl/t-tsY2VNrNqv

Enjoy yourself!

Jerry Dammers - Mojo Magazine May 2015

This month's 'Mojo' magazine sees a brilliant feature interview with Jerry Dammers. The interview marks the release of remastered and expanded versions of 'Specials', 'More Specials' and 'In The Studio'.

Since it is The Specials that have given rise to this interview, Jerry very quickly gets drawn into discussion about his former band mates and the 'reunion' (here stated in inverted commas as Dammers contests the very notion The Specials' reunion).

To understand the issues that have seen The Specials lose two more original members is beyond me, but clearly many of the problems and personality clashes that caused the original bust up in 1981 remain to this day. It certainly does not seem to be the case that without the dominating personality of 'The General' all would go on to be harmonious in the post 2008 Specials camp. They fell out all by themselves!

Having been treated to some of the greatest gigs I have ever seen from The Specials minus 1, it would be wrong for me to say that they should not have embarked on this new adventure without Jerry Dammers, but now they need a rethink. First Neville threw in the towel citing a lack of understanding from his fellow musicians following a stroke suffered whilst on tour in the US and then Roddy buggered off. Inevitably the sound of the band has changed without these key contributors to that Specials sound.

It seems astounding to think that I can watch a line up featuring Horace, Brad, Lyn and Terry and come away feeling a bit deflated, but that is only as a result of seeing them back in 2009.

I thought that the band's last London gig at The Troxy would likely be their last, but I notice that they will be playing Kew this year.

I'm wondering now.

Terry Hall & Jerry Dammers Interviewed on BBC Radio 6 (Steve Lamacq Show 30th August 2011)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HUY26WJY

This is very exiting. This week on the excellent BBC Radio 6 station, Steve Lamacq on his Album of the Day slot took on The Specials album (certainly one of the most important albums of the 1970's). To discuss the making of the album and the early history of the band, Steve talked to none other than Terry Hall and Jerry Dammers (unfortunately not at the same time!).

Excellent material and fortunately 100% focused on the album, rather than issues with the reunion.

This is posted for the benefit of those outside of the UK who have experienced difficulties in hearing this essential hour of radio.

Full artwork here:
Front
Back