The 1981 New Cross Fire and the Brixton Riots
The New Cross Fire in 1981 claimed the lives of black youth at a birthday party and the aftermath would undoubtedly contribute to the Brixton riots
October 2012
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1979 UK General Election changes history
The 1979 general election saw Margaret Thatcher swept to power in the United Kingdom ushering in an era of polarisation as well as free market economics
School Kids Against the Nazis (SKAN)
School kids against the Nazis, or SKAN for short, was a schools-based campaign against racism and fascism in the late 1970s
How grim was Britain in 1979?
The black British boxing champion Errol Christie describes racism in Britain in 1979 and how he used his fists to combat it on the streets
The front cover for ‘Original Rude Boy’ that didn’t make it…
A proposed front cover for the biography of Neville Staple – Original Rude Boy – published by Aurum Press
Mr Cheerful – Terry Hall on the front cover of Smash Hits
Mr Cheerful – Terry Hall on the front cover of Smash Hits
Ska and 2Tone – the sound of Coventry
Walk down Oxford Street today and it’s impossible to avoid glimpsing the ever present influence of 2Tone whether it’s the black and white check patterns, porkpie hats, tonic suits, etc, etc. The style pioneered by The Specials, The Selecter and The Beat has proved to be timeless. Don’t believe me – look at these images…
Special Beat – when The Specials met The Beat
Special Beat – when The Specials met The Beat