Mr Cheerful – Terry Hall on the front cover of Smash Hits
Mr Cheerful – Terry Hall on the front cover of Smash Hits
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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
Melody Maker in 1981 with The Selecter and Elvis Costello
Melody Maker in 1981 with The Selecter and Elvis Costello
NWOBHM – or heavy metal circa 1981 if you prefer…
NWOBHM – or heavy metal circa 1981 if you prefer. When heavy metal revived as punk declined.
2Tone bands and the 1981 Coventry riot
1981 saw a riot in Coventry after the murder of Asian teenager Satnam Singh Gill that led to The Specials putting on a unity gig in the city
All your photos of New Romantic excess welcome
Oh, the eye shadow, hair gel and strange trousers – the turn of the 80s was all about the New Romantics. I remember in 1981 going to something that called itself a ‘futurist’ party. Seemed to involve a lot of guys in sixteen pleat Bowie trousers – which you could buy in the NME classified…
When the Buggles met Yes and created a Drama
When the Buggles met Yes and created a Drama – the fusion of prog rock and new wave with an unhappy outcome
Violent attacks on punk bands in the 1970s
1977 saw several violent attacks on punk rock bands as Britain celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee as Tony McMahon discovers