| Name |
The Specials |
| Height |
|
| Naionality |
English |
| Date of Birth |
|
| Place of Birth |
Coventry, England |
| Famous for |
singing |
The Specials (sometimes called The Special AKA ) are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups. The band wore mod-style "1960s period rude boy outfits (pork pie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers)." In 1980, the song "Too Much Too Young", the lead track on their The Special AKA Live! EP, reached number one in the UK. In 1981, the unemployment-themed single "Ghost Town" also hit number one in the UK Singles Chart. After seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, the band broke up. Their 1983 song "Free Nelson Mandela" was a No. 9 UK hit. It contributed to making Mandela a cause celebre in the United Kingdom, and became popular with anti-Apartheid activists.
Afterwards, founder and songwriter Jerry Dammers dissolved the band and pursued political activism.
The Specials performed at Hyde Park with Blur and New Order to celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony.
In August 2012, The Specials released their brand new live album called More ... Or Less The Specials Live on CD and vinyl, featuring "the best of the best" performances from their 2011 European tour - selected by the band themselves.
On 10 January 2013 the Specials announced the departure of Neville Staple via the following message on their web site: "We are very sad Neville cannot join us on The Specials UK tour in May 2013 or indeed on the future projects we have planned. He has made a huge contribution to the fantastic time and reception we have received since we started and reformed in 2009 . However , he missed a number of key shows last year due to ill health & his health is obviously much more important . We wish him the very best for the future."
