On This Day 11/07/1978 The Specials

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On this day, 11 July 1978 , legendary ska/punk band The Specials played Cardiff’s Top Rank as support to punk giants The Clash.

Originally called The Hybrids, The Automatics, later became Coventry Specials, Special AKA eventually becoming The Specials (Jun 78-81).

The group was formed in 1977 by songwriter/keyboardist Dammers, vocalist Tim Strickland, guitarist/vocalist Lynval Golding, drummer Silverton Hutchinson and bassist Horace Panter (Sir Horace Gentleman). Strickland was replaced by Terry Hall shortly after the band's formation. The band was first called the Automatics, then the Coventry Automatics. Guitarist Roddy Byers (usually known as Roddy Radiation) agreed to join the band in March 1978 ahead of a recording session of demos.

The Specials at Cardiff Top Rank

The new line-up changed their name to The Special A.K.A. The Automatics after another band called the Automatics signed a record deal with Island Records. The new name was a bit of a mouthful and was shortened to The Special AKA. The name Special AKA soon evolved into The Specials – the moniker that would be used for most of the band's career.

Joe Strummer of The Clash had attended one of their concerts, and invited the Special AKA to open for his band in their "On Parole" UK tour. This performance gave the Special AKA a new level of national exposure, and they briefly shared the Clash's management. During the tour Neville Staple, who was initially one of the roadies, became a full member of The Specials when his version of "Monkey Man" was incorporated into the group's set.

Jerry Dammers (keyb)
Lynval Golding (gtr)
Horace Panter (bass)
Silverton Hutchinson (drms)
Terry Hall (voc)
Roddy Radiation (gtr)
Nevile Staples (voc)

On This Day 15/09/1980 The Specials

On this day, 15 September 1980, two tone Ska pioneers The Specials played Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens with support from The Swinging Cats.

The band were about to release More Specials, the band’s second album and released by 2 Tone Records in October 1980. The album peaked at No 5 in the UK album charts.

After the success of the band's self-titled debut, band member Jerry Dammers assumed the role as the band's leader and stirred them into expanding their 2 Tone sound into other genres of music, most prominently a lounge music and easy listening style inspired by Muzak.

At the end of 1980, it was named the year's 32nd best album by the NME, and 31st best by OOR. In 1995, Melody Maker included it in a list of "great lost albums," having been chosen for inclusion by Simon Price, who wrote an accompanying essay for the album's entry.

The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. In 1987, Rockdelux named it the 91st best album released between 1980 and 1986. In 2003, Mojo included in their list of the "Top 50 Eccentric Albums," while in 2007 they included in their list of "The 80 Greatest Albums of the 80s."

Several band members disagreed with Dammers' vision and brought their own influences to the album, including from northern soul and rockabilly, contributing to an eclectic sound palette.

The relations between band members continued to sour into the album's accompanying tour and most of the band departed in 1981.

On this day Specials - Madness - Selecter 07/11/1979

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On this day, 7 November 1979, the Two Tone package tour consisting of Specials/Madness/Selector played Cardiff’s Top Rank.

In 1979 cool kids rocked to the 2-Tone tour. The Specials, formerly The Coventry Automatics and The Special AKA The Automatics, supported by Madness and The Selecter, had rehearsed for the tour at The Roundhouse in London’s Chalk Farm.

In October they played the first gig at the Top Rank, Brighton. The running order for stage shows was always The Selecter on first, then Madness, lastly The Specials.

2-Tone, created by Jerry Dammers, the son of a Coventry clergyman, designer of the 2 Tone label, with its black and white checks and ‘rude boy’ mascot, Walt Jabsco, had come a long way from the founder’s one-bedroom flat on 51 Albany Road. The sound was raw and ready.

Earlier that year Rude Girl Pauline Black was working as a Walsgrave Hospital radiologist when she and a group of Coventry musicians formed The Selecter. Born Belinda Magnus in 1953 to Anglo-Jewish/Nigerian parents, Black epitomised 2-Tone.

“The amount of violence at specials gigs has been exaggerated down the years” say Dammers. “I really wish there hadn’t been any. The great majority were trouble free, but there were a few where a minority thought they were supposed to have a scrap. With about four exceptions, any sign of trouble was nipped in the bud by the band stopping and Terry explaining that it wasn’t part of the deal”.

08/11/79 THE SPECIALS – A Message To You Rudy (Top of the Pops)

Yes, it’s that Two Tone takeover of Top of the Pops with The Specials, The Selecter and former stable mates, Madness all appearing on the show. The 2 Tone tour has stopped off in Cardiff so Madness take a helicopter ride to London whilst The Specials don’t do such luxuries and instead lump it onto the train to the BBC Studios. The Selecter meanwhile cheat by getting Top of the Pops to just repeat their previous performance although admittedly that does allow them to keep the Cardiff Top Rank mob at bay before the other two bands return. A bare chested, creepy looking host in a fez introduces The Specials, now at no. 19 in the charts. Terry, Barrister Staples and Lynval are to be found seated on some high stools and are all on lead vocals so Jerry fills in on guitar, with his organ remaining unopened to the side of the stage. The Selecter’s “On My Radio” was at it’s peak position of no. 9. in the charts whilst “One Step Beyond” from Madness was a brand new release but also Top Ten bound. Walt Jabsco in cardboard form makes a guest appearance next to Woody for Madness’ performance.

On this day 15/09/1980 The Specials

Images may be subject to copyright

On this day, 15 September 1980, two tone Ska pioneers The Specials played Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens with support from The Swinging Cats.

The band were about to release More Specials, the band’s second album and released by 2 Tone Records in October 1980. The album peaked at No 5 in the UK album charts.

After the success of the band's self-titled debut, band member Jerry Dammers assumed the role as the band's leader and stirred them into expanding their 2 Tone sound into other genres of music, most prominently a lounge music and easy listening style inspired by Muzak.

At the end of 1980, it was named the year's 32nd best album by the NME, and 31st best by OOR. In 1995, Melody Maker included it in a list of "great lost albums," having been chosen for inclusion by Simon Price, who wrote an accompanying essay for the album's entry.

The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. In 1987, Rockdelux named it the 91st best album released between 1980 and 1986. In 2003, Mojo included in their list of the "Top 50 Eccentric Albums," while in 2007 they included in their list of "The 80 Greatest Albums of the 80s."

Several band members disagreed with Dammers' vision and brought their own influences to the album, including from northern soul and rockabilly, contributing to an eclectic sound palette.

The relations between band members continued to sour into the album's accompanying tour and most of the band departed in 1981.