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Specials, The

Profile: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 70's and early 80's in Britain and remain THE best band to have emerged from the 2-Tone era of ska. Led musically by the toothless keyboardist Jerry Dammers, the band also contained Terry Hall (lead vox), Neville Staples (vox/percussion), Lynval Golding (Rhythm Gtr/Vox), Roddy "Radiation" Byers (lead gtr), Sir Horace Gentleman (b. Horace Panter; bass) & John Bradbury (drums). From 1979 to 1981, they released 7 singles, 2 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 & 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 Staples and Lynval Golding formed Fun Boy Three.
URLs:http://www.thespecials.com/
http://www.2-tone.info/artists/the_specials.html
Aliases:Special AKA, The
Members:Adam Birch, Horace Panter, Jerry Dammers, John Bradbury, Lynval Golding, Mark Adams (7), Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Terry Hall
Name Variations: All | Specials, The | Special | Specials
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Releases:
A Message To You Rudy (Single) ◄ (5 versions)   Two-Tone Records ... 1979
Gangsters (7", Pro)   Chrysalis 1979
Gangsters (7")   Chrysalis 1979
Gangsters / The Selecter (Single) ◄ (3 versions)   Chrysalis ... 1979
Phone Call Tapes (LP)   Not On Label 1979
Specials (Album) ◄ (21 versions)   Two-Tone Records ... 1979
Braggin' & Tryin' Not To Lie / Rude Boys Outa Jail (7")   Two-Tone Records 1980
Do Nothing ◄ (3 versions)   Two-Tone Records ... 1980
Hey, Little Rich Girl (7")   Chrysalis 1980
More Specials (Album) ◄ (8 versions)   Two-Tone Records ... 1980
Rat Race (Single) ◄ (2 versions)   Two-Tone Records ... 1980
Sock It To Them J.B. (7")   Chrysalis 1980
Stereotype (Single) ◄ (2 versions)   Two-Tone Records ... 1980
Too Much Too Young (EP) ◄ (3 versions)   Chrysalis ... 1980
Ghost Town (Single) ◄ (12 versions)   Two-Tone Records ... 1981
The Peel Sessions (12")   Strange Fruit 1987
Too Much Too Young / Gangsters (7")   Old Gold (2) 1990
Singles (Comp) ◄ (4 versions)   Chrysalis ... 1991
BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert (CD, Album)   Windsong International 1992
Live At The Moonlight Club (LP, Album)   Chrysalis 1992
Too Much Too Young (live) (12")   Receiver Records Limited 1992
King Of Kings (CD, Album)   Trojan Records 1993
Hypocrite ◄ (2 versions)   Kuff ... 1995
The Best Of Ska Live (CD)   Emporio 1995
Best Of (CD)   Disky 1996
Pressure Drop (12", Pro)   Virgin, Kuff 1996
Today's Specials (Album) ◄ (3 versions)   Virgin Music (Canada) ... 1996
Too Much Too Young (CD, Comp)   EMI Gold, EMI Gold 1996
Live At The Moonlight Club (CD)   Chrysalis 1997
Concrete Jungle (2xCD, Comp)   Receiver Records Limited 1998
Guilty 'Til Proved Innocent! (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   MCA Records 1998
Stereo-Typical: A's, B's & Rarities (3xCD)   EMI Records 2000
The Very Best Of The Specials And Fun Boy Three (CD, Comp)   Cleopatra 2000
Live Too Much Too Young (CD, Comp, RE)   Castle Pulse 2006
Ghost Town ◄ (2 versions)   Chrysalis 2008
Appears On:
Poprock Special (LP) Gangsters K-Tel International (Finland) Oy 1980
Starvation / Tam Tam Pour L'Éthiopie (Single) ◄ (5 versions) Starvation (African Ve... Zarjazz ... 1985
Tears Of A Clown - Live (CD, Album) Gangsters Receiver Records Limited 1998
Ska & Reggae Collection (CD, Comp) Too Much Too Young, Gh... Hallmark Music & Entertainment 1999
From Decks To Switches (Cass, Mixed)   Wrecked Bits 2001
Punk Unity (7") Do Nothing DSS Records 2002
Tracks Appear On:
New Wave (LP, Comp, Album) Gangster K-Tel International (Sweden) AB 1979
Poprock Special (LP) Gangsters K-Tel International (Finland) Oy 1980
Power Play! (LP, Comp) Stereotype K-Tel 1980
Super 20 High Power (LP, Comp) Rat Race Ariola, Ariola, Ariola Eurodisc GmbH, Ariola Eurodisc GmbH 1980
Concerts For The People Of Kampuchea (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Monkey Man Atlantic 1981
Dance Craze (Comp) ◄ (5 versions) Concrete Jungle, Man A... Two-Tone Records ... 1981
Roots Of Reggae (2xLP, Comp) A Message To You Rudy Dominion Records (NL) 1981
Life In The European Theatre (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Man At C & A WEA Records Pty Ltd. ... 1982
This Are Two Tone (Album, Comp) ◄ (6 versions) Rudi, A Message To You... Chrysalis ... 1983
The 2 Tone Story (Album, Comp) ◄ (4 versions) Rudi, A Message To You... Two-Tone Records ... 1989
The Greatest Hits Of The Eighties (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Ghost Town Telstar 1989
A Kick Up The Eighties Vol. 1 (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Ghost Town Old Gold (2) 1990
Hit History - Volume 25 - 1979 (CD, Comp) Gangsters EVA 1990
Hit History - Volume 27 - 1981 (CD) Ghost Town EVA 1990
Let's Go Crazy 1 (CD, Comp) Too Much Too Young (Live) Arcade 1990
Let's Go Crazy 2 (CD, Comp) Rudi, A Message To You Arcade 1990
1 And Only (2xCD, Comp) Too Much Too Young Band Of Joy 1992
Bonanza Ska (CD) Monkey Man, Skinhead M... Trojan Records 1992
The Collection (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Gangsters, Nite Klub, ... Chrysalis 1992
Number Ones Of The 80's (CD, Comp) Ghost Town Music For Pleasure 1993
Sedated In The Eighties (CD) Free Nelson Mandela The Right Stuff 1993
The 2 Tone Collection: A Checkered Past (2xCD, Comp, RM) A Message To You Rudy,... Chrysalis, Chrysalis 1993
The Best Of & The Rest Of British Ska Live (CD) Gangsters, Skinhead Mo... Action Replay Records 1993
The Best Of 2 Tone (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Ghost Town, Do Nothing... Two-Tone Records 1993
The Megamix Album 11/93 (12") Stereotype, Rat Race, ... DMC 1993
Chrysalis25, Edited Highlights (CD, Comp, Dig) Ghost Town Chrysalis, Chrysalis 1994
Planète Ska (CD, Comp) Ghost Town Déclic Communication, Déclic Communication 1994
Start - The Best Of British (CD, Comp) Ghost Town Dino Entertainment 1994
The 80's Collection - 1981 Alive And Kicking (2xCD, Comp) Ghost Town Time Life Music 1994
The Best Reggae Album In The World...Ever! (2xCD, Comp) Too Much Too Young Virgin, 1994
Don't Care: New Wave Hits (CD) A Message To You Rudy CEMA Special Markets 1995
Going Underground (2xCD, Comp) Ghosttown EVA 1995
Into The Eighties (2xCD, Comp) Ghost Town Global Television 1995
Loaded Volume 1 (CD) Ghost Town EMI USA 1995
The History Of Ska (CD, Comp) Gangsters, King Of Ska Receiver Records Limited 1995
Was Het Nu 70 Of 80? Vol. 2 (2xCD) Ghost Town EVA Belgium 1995
Absolute Party Party (CD, Comp) Gangsters Music For Pleasure, EMI Records 1996
Best Sellers Of The 70's - Vol. 2 (CD) Rudi, A Message To You Disky 1996
Lost Property (An Alternative History 1979 - 1982) (2xCD, Comp) Ghost Town EMI Records Ltd. 1996
Out 9605 (CD, Promo) Take Five Virgin 1996
A Kick Up The Eighties (CD, Comp) Ghost Town Crimson 1997
De Pre Historie - De Jaren 70 Volume 2 (Box + 10xCD, Comp) Gangsters EVA Belgium 1997
De Pre Historie 1979 Volume 2 (CD) Gangsters EVA Belgium 1997
Grosse Pointe Blank (More Music From The Film) (CD, Album, Comp) Rudy, A Message To You... London Records 1997
Grosse Pointe Blank Soundtrack (CD, Album, Comp) Pressure Drop London Records 1997
Once In A Lifetime (2xCD, Comp) Ghost Town Telstar 1997
Original Best Of Pop (4xCD, Comp) Nite Klub, Ghost Town EMI Music (France), EMI Music (France) 1997
Ska Is The Limit (CD) Too Much Too Young, A ... Disky 1997
Ska Mania (CD, Album) A Message To You Rudi,... Crimson 1997
Half-Baked - Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack (CD, Comp) Farmyard Connection MCA Records 1998
Punk! ...The Soundtrack (CD) Too Hot Hollywood Records 1998
Rage - The Songs Most Chosen By Rage Guest Programmers (2xCD, Comp) Ghost Town Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Music) 1998
SLC Punk - Original Soundtrack (CD) Too Hot Roadrunner Records 1998
Ska Trax - The New Generation (CD, Comp) A Message To You Rudy Universal Music (Canada) 1998
The Ska Parade: Runnin' Naked Thru The Cornfield (CD, Comp) Farmyard Connection A To Y Productions 1998
Dance Dance Revolution 2nd Mix Original Soundtrack (2xCD) Little Bitch, Little B... Toshiba EMI Ltd 1999
Monster Hits (Fright Night Bone Shaker Party) (CD, Comp) Ghost Town Disky 1999
Pop & Wave Vol. 8 - The Sound Of The Fantastic 80s (2xCD) Ghost Town Sony Music Media (Germany) 1999
Ska: A.K.A (CD) A Message To You Rudy Crimson 1999
Tarantino's Favourites (Film Themes) (CD) Ghost Town Disky 1999
The Theory Of Flight (Music From The Original Soundtrack) (CD, Comp) It's You RCA Victor 1999
Wow That Was The 70's (8xCD, Comp) Gangsters Disky 1999
20th Century Noise - A Millennial Soundtrack (CD, Comp, Promo) Ghost Town Uncut Magazine 2000
De Pre Historie - De Jaren 80 Volume 3 (Box + 10xCD) Rudi, A Message To You... EVA Belgium 2000
De Pre Historie 1980 Volume 3 (CD) Rudi, A Message To You EVA Belgium 2000
De Pre Historie 1981 Volume 3 (CD) Ghost Town EVA Belgium 2000
Greatest Hits Of The 70's (8xCD, Comp + Box) A Message To Rudy Disky 2000
More Greatest Hits Of The 80's (8xCD + Box, Comp) Ghost Town Disky 2000
Serious Ska (CD) A Message To Rudy EMI Plus (Europe) B.V. 2000
Snatch - Stealin' Stones And Breakin' Bones (Comp, Album) ◄ (2 versions) Ghost Town Universal Music (UK) ... 2000
Too Much Two Tone (CD, Comp) Nite Klub, Rat Race, G... EMI Gold 2000
Best Of Ska (3xCD, Comp + Box) A Message To Rudy, Gho... Disky 2001
Greatest Hits Of The 70's (DVD, PAL, 4:3) A Message To You Rudy Disky 2001
In To The Mix V (CD) Our Lips Are Sealed Hypnotic 2001
Music Of The Year: 1981 (CD) Ghost Town Spectrum Music (2) 2001
Reggae All Stars (3xLP) A Message To You Rudy Virgin France S.A. 2001
The Old Grey Whistle Test (2xDVD, PAL, Mono, 4:3 + Box, Gat) Message To You Rudy BBC Worldwide 2001
Was Het Nu 70, 80 Of 90? File 2 (2xCD, Comp) A Message To You Rudy Virgin Music (Belgium) 2001
Greatest Hits Of The 70's & 80's (2xDVD, Comp) Ghost Town (Video) Disky 2002
Hard Rain Vol. 2: A Tribute To Bob Dylan (CD, Comp) Maggie's Farm Uncut Magazine 2002
Rude Boy Revival (2xCD) Ghost Town Telstar TV 2002
The Bedroom Sessions (CD) Nite Klub Mixmag 2002
Ultra. Chilled 02 (2xCD) Ghost Town Ultra Records 2002
50 Years Of The Greatest Hit Singles - Platinum Collection (2xCD, Comp) Ghost Town Virgin, Virgin 2003
Back To Mine ◄ (3 versions) Blank Expression DMC Publishing 2003
Badmeaningood Vol. 4 (CD, Comp, Mixed) Ghost Town Ultimate Dilemma 2003
Badmeaningood Vol. 4 (2xLP) Ghost Town Ultimate Dilemma 2003
Best Of British (CD, Promo) A Message To You Rudy Capitol Records 2003
Eighties Number 1's (CD, Comp, Copy Prot.) Ghost Town EMI Gold 2003
Greatest Hits Of The 70's CD 1 (CD, Comp) A Message To Rudy Disky 2003
L'Album Pop Rock 1960-1979 Vol.1 (CD) A Message To You Rudy EMI Music (France) 2003
One Step Beyond (2xCD) Too Much Too Young, Gh... Virgin, Virgin 2003
Reggae Steady Ska (3xCD + Box) A Message To Rudy Disky 2003
Ultimate New Wave (4xCD, Comp) A Message To You Rudy EMI Records 2003
Greatest Hits Of Punk & New Wave (3xCD, Comp) Concrete Jungle EMI Records Ltd. 2004
Greatest Hits Of The 80s (3xCD, Comp, Copy Prot.) Ghost Town EMI Gold 2004
I Love Music - 1980-1984 (3xCD, Comp) Ghost Town Disky 2004
Jet Set Edit Style (CD) International Jet Set Jet Set Records, Japan 2004
Shaun Of The Dead (Music From The Motion Picture) (CD) Ghost Town Universal Island Records 2004
The Original 80s Album (CD) Rat Race EMI Gold 2004
The Original New Wave Album (CD) Rat Race EMI Gold 2004
The Original Reggae & Ska Album (CD) A Message To You Rudy,... EMI Gold 2004
Unthugged The Essential Mix (2xCD, Comp, Mixed, Promo) A Message To You Rudy Not On Label 2004
António Sérgio Apresenta Som Da Frente 1982-1993 (2xCD, Comp, Copy Prot.) Ghost Town (Extended V... EMI-Valentim De Carvalho, Lda. 2005
I Love Music 1975-1979 (3xCD, Comp) A Message To Rudy Disky 2005
More 80's (8xCD, Comp + Box) Ghost Town Disky 2005
Real Eighties (3xCD + Box) Ghost Town (12") Virgin, EMI Records 2005
Teenage Kicks (2xCD) Too Much Too Young Sanctuary Records 2005
This Is... The Eighties (CD, Comp) Ghost Town Disky 2005
You Can Get It If You Really Want - The Definitive Collection (2xCD, Comp, Sli) Jamaica Ska Trojan Records 2005
'80s New Wave Hits (CD, Comp) Our Lips Are Sealed Fantastic Price Records 2006
35 Jaar OOR (2xCD) Ghost Town USM 2006
Back To Mine (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) A Message To You Rudy DMC Publishing 2006
Best Of New Wave (2xCD, Comp) Rat Race EMI Music (Germany) 2006
Commercial Collection 286 (2xCD, Comp) Gangsters DMC 2006
Hits Of The 80s (2xCD, Comp) Ghost Town Ground Floor (2), Demon Music Group 2006
New Wave Club Hits Of The '80s (CD, Comp) Ghost Town Fantastic Price Records 2006
Rip It Up and Start Again - Postpunk 1978-1984 (CD) Friday Night, Saturday... V2 Records, Inc. 2006
Soundclash: Murderation Music From The Past, Present, And Future! (CD) Stereotypes (Live) Not On Label 2006
Süddeutsche Zeitung Diskothek 1981 (CD) Ghost Town Süddeutsche Zeitung 2006
The Original 80s Number 1s Album (CD, Comp) Ghost Town EMI Gold 2006
Tribute To Arctic Monkeys (CD) Ghost Town Tributized 2006
101 Jukebox Classics (5xCD, Comp) A Message To You Rudy,... Virgin 2007
70s Maximum Vol. 2 (3xCD, Comp) Too Much Too Young Disky 2007
DJ Selection 137: Reggae Night Vol. 3 (CD, Comp) Too Much Too Young Do It Yourself Entertainment Strategic Marketing 2007
Forever In Their Death (CD, Ltd) Ghost Town (The Reveng... Less 2007
Forever In Their Death (CD, Ltd, 100) Ghost Town (The Reveng... L.E.S.S. Productions 2007
Forever In Their Debt 1 (CD, Ltd, 100) Rock The Rudy (DJ2Thre... L.E.S.S. Productions 2007
Play That Blend Vol.2 (12") Message To You Rudy Play That Blend 2007
100% New Wave (5xCD, Comp) Ghost Town EMI Music (Belgium) 2008
One Step Beyond - The Unstoppable Rhythm Of Reggae & Ska (CD, Comp) Concrete Jungle Universal Music Special Markets, Starbucks Entertainment 2008
The Second Wave (CD, Comp) A Message To You Rudy Rhino Custom Products 2008
Luvafair (31xFile, MP3, Comp, VBR) Gangsters Not On Label (Steven R. Gilmore Self-released) 2009
Original Hits - Eighties (6xCD, Comp) Ghost Town EMI Gold 2009
Ska Mania The Return Of The Rudeboy! (2xCD, Comp) Too Much Too Young, Ga... Universal Music TV, Universal Music TV, Universal Music TV 2009
Music Factory Mastermix - Issue 97 (2xVinyl) Too Much Too Young Music Factory  
Reggae And Ska Hits (DVD, PAL, 4:3) Ghost Town Disky  
Unofficial Releases:
Niteklubbing Monkey Men (LP)   Democracy Records 1980
Top Of The Pops (Cass, Comp) Too Much To Young IMD (2) 1982
As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 10 (CD, Mixed) Gangster Waxedhead Recordings 2004
The Pølar Mix (2xCD) Ghost Town King Biscuit Recordings 2007
Ghost Town / Late Night Blues (2xFile, MP3, 320) Ghost Town Bootleg Not On Label 2009
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