Specials, The

The Specials (originally known as Coventry Automatics, The, then later named Special AKA, The) were the first band of the 2-Tone era in the late 70's and early 80's in Britain. Led musically by keyboardist Jerry Dammers, the band also contained 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 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 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.