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April 26, 2026
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The 70s 80s 90s Blog

Three Decades of History with TV historian Tony McMahon

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    1986 – 40 years ago in Britain

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    Iran on the eve of the 1979 revolution

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    1976 – 50 years ago in Britain

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    School summer holidays in the 1970s

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October 19, 2012

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How grim was Britain in 1979?

The 70s 80s 90s Blog14 years ago6 years ago03 mins

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

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  • Culture
  • Music

The front cover for ‘Original Rude Boy’ that didn’t make it…

The 70s 80s 90s Blog14 years ago6 years ago01 mins

A proposed front cover for the biography of Neville Staple – Original Rude Boy – published by Aurum Press

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  • Culture
  • Music

Mr Cheerful – Terry Hall on the front cover of Smash Hits

The 70s 80s 90s Blog14 years ago8 years ago01 mins

Mr Cheerful – Terry Hall on the front cover of Smash Hits

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  • Uncategorized

The Special A.K.A – gig ticket from 1979

The 70s 80s 90s Blog14 years ago01 mins
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  • 1981 riots

Ska and 2Tone – the sound of Coventry

The 70s 80s 90s Blog14 years ago4 years ago15 mins

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…

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  • Music

Special Beat – when The Specials met The Beat

The 70s 80s 90s Blog14 years ago6 years ago01 mins

Special Beat – when The Specials met The Beat

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  • Culture
  • Music

Backstage passes for gigs by The Specials

The 70s 80s 90s Blog14 years ago6 years ago01 mins

Backstage passes for gigs by The Specials from 1979 to 1981

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Buy Original Rude Boy – biography of Neville Staple, The Specials

Boxing and racism in the 80s

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Tony McMahon – your blogger – circa 1982

TV historian Tony McMahon journeys through the politics, culture, and history of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s

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