The Specials (originally known as The Coventry Automatics, then later named The Special AKA) were the first band of the 2-Tone era in the late '70s and early '80s in Britain. Led musically by keyboardist Jerry Dammers, the band also comprised Terry Hall (lead vox), Neville Staple (vox/percussion), Lynval Golding (rhythm gtr/vox), Roddy "Radiation" Byers (lead gtr), Sir Horace Gentleman (aka Horace Panter; bass), and John Bradbury (drums). From 1979 to 1981, they released seven singles, two of which ("Too Much Too Young" & "Ghost Town") got to #1. By the time "Ghost Town" reached UK#1 on July 11, 1981 amidst massive street violence in the UK's major cities, The Specials had split. Jerry Dammers and John Bradbury continued under the name The Special AKA until 1985, as did Horace Panter to a certain extent. Roddy Byers left but made a guest appearance on one single, and Terry Hall, Neville Staple, and Lynval Golding formed Fun Boy Three.
Tracklist:
A1 A Message To You Rudy
A2 Do The Dog
A3 Gangsters
A4 It's Up To You
A5 Nite Klub
A6 Doesn't Make It Alright
A7 Concrete Jungle
A8 Too Hot
B1 Monkey Man
B2 (Dawning Of A) New Era
B3 Blank Expression
B4 Stupid Marriage
B5 Too Much Too Young
B6 Little Bitch
B7 You're Wondering Now
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