- "That was The Specials 'Gangsters'. The record of it - one of those records that really changes your life, I mean it actually does, rather like I suppose The Damned's first single, where you wake up the next day and nothing's ever really quite the same again." (John Peel, 09 June 1980)
The Specials - Gangsters-0
Gangsters
The Specials - Ghost Town
Ghost Town
Originally known as the Coventry Automatics, the Specials were the ska outfit from the Midlands who led the 2 Tone explosion that hit the UK for a couple of years from 1979, providing a launch pad for bands including Madness, Selecter, The Beat and Bodysnatchers, as well as others not on the label itself such as UB40 and Dexy's Midnight Runners.
The original Specials split in 1981 in the wake of the UK #1 hit 'Ghost Town' with the departure of the three main vocalists to form the Funboy Three. Led by keyboard player Jerry Dammers and including drummer John Bradbury (1953-2015), the others continued for a while with different singers under the earlier name Special AKA, which had been used on their landmark debut single 'Gangsters' and again shortly afterwards on their 'Too Much Too Young' live EP. The new grouping recorded a session and scored a 1984 Festive Fifty entry with 'Nelson Mandela'.
Links to Peel[]
Peel was keen to see a live show by the group at the earliest opportunity. The chance to attend the gig in Norwich on Saturday 26 May 1979 was scuppered due to the national petrol shortage, something that John particularly rued [1] [2]. After complaining on 17 September 1979 that the band were top of his list of bands that he really wanted to see (along with Madness), Peel eventually saw the band with the Selecter and Madness when the 2 Tone package tour played at Norwich UEA on 26 October 1979. [3]
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- 'Gangsters' (1979 Festive Fifty), #7 (as Special AKA)
- 'Too Much Too Young' (1979 Festive Fifty), #36
- 'Gangsters' (1980 Festive Fifty), #32 (as Special AKA)
- 'Ghost Town' (1981 Festive Fifty), #21
- 'Ghost Town' (1982 Festive Fifty), #43 (all-time chart)
- 'Nelson Mandela' (1983 Festive Fifty), #41 (as Special AKA)
- '10 Commandments' (2019 Festive Fifty), #24
Sessions[]
1. Gangsters / Too Much Too Young / Concrete Jungle / Monkey Man
- Recorded: 1979-05-23. First broadcast: 29 May 1979. Repeated: 18 June 1979, 03 July 1979, 27 August 1979, 26 December 1979, 09 June 1980.
- Session released by Strange Fruit as a Peel Session EP (SFPS018).
2. Rude Boys Out Of Jail / Rat Race / Long Shot Kick - Liquidator - Moon Stomp (The Skinhead Symphony In Three Movements)
- Recorded: 1979-10-15. First broadcast: 22 October 1979. Repeated: 13 November 1979, 12 February 1980, 12 August 1986.
3. Sea Cruise / Stereotypes / Raquel
- Recorded: 1980-10-29. First broadcast: 01 December 1980. Repeated: 22 December 1980.
(as Special AKA)
4. Alcohol / Lonely Crowd / Bright Lights
- Recorded: 1983-08-22. First broadcast: 12 September 1983. Repeated: 28 September 1983, 26 August 1985.
All sessions available on BBC Sessions CD, 1998 (EMI – 7243 4 97791 2 9)
Other Shows Played[]
- 1979
- 03 May 1979: Gangsters (shared 7" with The Selecter - Gangsters / The Selecter) Two-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 07 May 1979: Gangsters (7") Two-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 08 May 1979: Gangsters (7”) Two-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 09 May 1979: Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- 10 May 1979: Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- 12 May 1979 (BFBS): Gangsters (7") Two-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 16 May 1979: Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- 26 May 1979 (BFBS): Gangsters (7") Two-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 21 June 1979: Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- 26 June 1979: Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- 19 July 1979 Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- 24 July 1979: Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- Walhalla (21-08-79): Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- 08 October 1979: A Message To You Rudy (7") 2 Tone
- 09 October 1979: Nite Klub (single – A Message To You Rudy) 2 Tone
- 10 October 1979: A Message To You Rudy (single) 2 Tone
- 11 October 1979: Nite Klub (single – A Message To You Rudy) 2 Tone
- 15 October 1979: Monkey Man (LP – The Specials) 2 Tone (plus five other tracks from album)
- 16 October 1979: Too Much Too Young (LP – The Specials) 2 Tone
- 17 October 1979: Stupid Marriage (LP - The Specials) 2 Tone
- 17 October 1979: Concrete Jungle (LP - The Specials) 2 Tone
- 18 October 1979: It's Up To You (LP - The Specials) 2 Tone
- 20 October 1979 (BFBS): Stupid Marriage (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 20 October 1979 (BFBS): Monkey Man (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 20 October 1979 (BFBS): (Dawning Of A) New Era (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 20 October 1979 (BFBS): Too Much Too Young (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 24 October 1979: Too Much Too Young (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 25 October 1979: Concrete Jungle (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 25 October 1979: A Message To You Rudy (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 27 October 1979 (BFBS): Concrete Jungle (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 27 October 1979 (BFBS): It's Up To You (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 27 October 1979 (BFBS): A Message To You Rudy (7") Two-Tone CHS TT5
- 31 October 1979: Concrete Jungle (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 01 November 1979: A Message To You Rudy (7") 2 Tone
- 03 November 1979 (BFBS): Concrete Jungle (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 08 November 1979: You're Wondering Now (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 10 November 1979 (BFBS): Too Much Too Young (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 12 November 1979: Stupid Marriage (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 15 November 1979: Concrete Jungle (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 20 November 1979: Too Hot (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 21 November 1979: Little Bitch (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 24 November 1979 (BFBS): Too Hot (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 27 November 1979: Too Much Too Young (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 05 December 1979: Monkey Man (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 06 December 1979: Concrete Jungle (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 08 December 1979 (BFBS): Too Much Too Young (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 10 December 1979: Stupid Marriage (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 11 December 1979: Too Hot (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 12 December 1979: Concrete Jungle (LP - The Specials) 2 Tone
- 15 December 1979 (BFBS): Monkey Man (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 17 December 1979: Too Much Too Young (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 22 December 1979 (BFBS): Stupid Marriage (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 1980
- 09 January 1980: Stupid Marriage (LP - The Specials) 2 Tone
- 14 January 1980: Too Much Too Young (7" EP) Two-Tone CHS TT 7 (as Special A.K.A. Featuring Rico)
- 14 January 1980: Skinhead Symphony (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) Two-Tone CHS TT 7 (as Special A.K.A. Featuring Rico)
- 15 January 1980: Longshot Kick The Bucket (7" EP- Too Much Too Young) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 15 January 1980: Skinhead Moonstomp (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 16 January 1980: Too Much Too Young (7" EP) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 16 January 1980: Guns Of Navarone (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 16 January 1980: Skinhead Symphony (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 17 January 1980: Skinhead Symphony (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 21 January 1980: unknown
- 22 January 1980: Too Much Too Young (7" EP) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 22 January 1980: Guns Of Navarone (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 23 January 1980 (BFBS): Too Much Too Young (7" EP) Two-Tone CHS TT 7 (as Special A.K.A. Featuring Rico)
- 23 January 1980 (BFBS): Guns Of Navarone (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) Two-Tone CHS TT 7 (as Special A.K.A. Featuring Rico)
- 23 January 1980 (BFBS): Skinhead Symphony (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) Two-Tone CHS TT 7 (as Special A.K.A. Featuring Rico)
- 24 January 1980: Longshot Kick The Bucket (7" EP- Too Much Too Young) 2-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 26 January 1980 (BFBS): Skinhead Symphony (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) Two-Tone CHS TT 7 (as Special A.K.A. Featuring Rico)
- 26 January 1980 (BFBS): Guns Of Navarone (7" EP - Too Much Too Young) Two-Tone CHS TT 7 (as Special A.K.A. Featuring Rico)
- 04 February 1980: Monkey Man (LP - Specials) 2 Tone
- 25 February 1980: Nite Klub (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 08 March 1980 (BFBS): Nite Klub (album - The Specials) Two-Tone CDL TT 5001
- 06 May 1980: Rat Race (double A side 7") 2 Tone
- 06 May 1980: Rude Boys Outta Jail (double A side 7") 2 Tone
- 07 May 1980: Rat Race (double A side 7") 2 Tone
- 08 May 1980: Rude Boys Outta Jail (double A side 7") 2 Tone
- 13 May 1980: Rude Boys Outta Jail (double A side 7") 2 Tone
- 14 May 1980: Rat Race (7”) Two-Tone
- 15 May 1980: Rude Buoys Outta Jail (7” – Rat Race) Two-Tone
- 17 May 1980 (BFBS): Rat Race (7") Two-Tone
- 17 May 1980 (BFBS): Rude Buoys Outta Jail (7” – Rat Race) Two-Tone
- 21 May 1980: Rat Race (7”) Two-Tone
- 26 May 1980: Rude Buoys Outta Jail (7” – Rat Race) Two-Tone
- 29 May 1980: Rat Race (7”) Two-Tone
- 03 July 1980 (BFBS): A Message To You Rudy
- 03 September 1980:Stereotype (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 13
- 08 September 1980: Stereotype (7") Two-Tone
- 09 September 1980: International Jetset (b/w 7" - Stereotype) Two-Tone CHS TT 13
- 10 September 1980: Stereotype (single) Two-Tone
- 11 September 1980: Stereotype (single) Two-Tone
- 13 September 1980 (BFBS): Stereotype (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 13
- 15 September 1980: Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 15 September 1980: Man At C&A (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 15 September 1980: Holiday Fortnight (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 15 September 1980: Stereotypes (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 18 September 1980: Do Nothing (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 20 September 1980 (BFBS): Enjoy Yourself (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 20 September 1980 (BFBS): Man At C&A (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 20 September 1980 (BFBS): Holiday Fortnight (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 20 September 1980 (BFBS): Stereotypes (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 20 September 1980 (BFBS): I Can't Stand It (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 23 September 1980: Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 24 September 1980: Man At C&A (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 27 September 1980 (BFBS): Hey Little Rich Girl (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 27 September 1980 (BFBS): Do Nothing (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 02 October 1980: Hey, Little Rich Girl (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 20 October 1980: Hey, Little Rich Girl (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 28 October 1980: Man At C & A (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- 25 November 1980: Do Nothing (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 16
- 26 November 1980 featuring Rico with Ice Rink String: Do Nothing (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 16
- 29 November 1980 (BFBS): Maggie's Farm (7" - Do Nothing) Two-Tone CHS TT 16
- 09 December 1980: Do Nothing (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 16
- 1981
- 08 February 1981_(BFBS): Concrete Jungle (v/a album - Dance Craze) Two-Tone
- 02 April 1981: Monkey Man (v/a album - Concerts For The People Of Kampuchea) Atlantic K 60153
- 05 April 1981 (BFBS): Monkey Man (v/a album - Concerts For The People Of Kampuchea) Atlantic K 60153
- 11 May 1981: Gangsters (7") 2 Tone (as Special AKA)
- 21 May 1981 (BFBS): Gangsters (7") 2-Tone
- 02 June 1981: Why? (7" b-side Ghost Town) 2-Tone
- 02 June 1981: Ghost Town (7") 2-Tone
- 07 June 1981 (BFBS): Ghost Town (Extended Version) (12") Two-Tone CHS TT 1217
- 07 June 1981 (BFBS): Friday Night, Saturday Morning (12"- Ghost Town (Extended Version)) Two-Tone CHS TT 1217
- 07 June 1981 (BFBS): Why? (12"- Ghost Town (Extended Version)) Two-Tone CHS TT 1217
- 18 June 1981 (BFBS): Ghost Town (Extended Version) (12") Two-Tone CHS TT 1217
- 16 July 1981 (BBC World Service): Ghost Town (7") Two-Tone
- KevH Tape 4: Stereotypes / Stereotypes Pt. 2 (album - More Specials) Two-Tone CHR TT 5003
- John Peel Summer 1981 to Summer 1982: Concrete Jungle (v/a LP - Dance Craze) Two-Tone
- 16 August 1981 (BFBS): Friday Night, Saturday Morning (12"- Ghost Town (Extended Version)) Two-Tone CHS TT 1217
- 26 October 1981: Stereotype (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 13
- 1982
- 06 January 1982 (with Rhoda): The Boiler (7”) Two-Tone
- 21 February 1982 (BFBS): Monkey Man
- 02 March 1982 featuring Rico: Jungle Music (single) Two-Tone CHS TT 19
- 18 March 1982 featuring Rico: Jungle Music (single) Two-Tone CHS TT 19
- 29 November 1982: War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same) (10") Two-Tone CHS TT 10 23 (as Special AKA)
- 01 December 1982: War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same) (10") Two-Tone CHS TT 10 23 (as Special AKA)
- 06 December 1982: War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same) (10") Two-Tone CHS TT 10 23 (as Special AKA)
- 15 December 1982: War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same) (Version) (10") Two-Tone CHS TT 10 23 (as Special AKA)
- 19 December 1982 (BFBS): War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same) (Version) (10") Two-Tone CHS TT 10 23 (as Special AKA)
- 1983
- 23 January 1983 (BFBS): Guns Of Navarone
- 12 September 1983 (BBC World Service): Bright Lights (12" promo) Chrysalis
- 1984
- 20 February 1984: Free Nelson Mandela (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 26 (as Special AKA)
- Peel February March 1984: Nelson Mandela (Extended Version) (12") Two-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 19 March 1984 (BBC World Service): Free Nelson Mandela (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 26 (as Special AKA)
- 05 June 1984: What I Like Most About You (as Special AKA)
- 19 June 1984: The Lonely Crowd (album - In The Studio) Two-Tone CHR TT 5008 (as Special AKA)
- 18 June 1984 (BBC World Service): Lonely Crowd (album - In The Studio) Two-Tone CHR TT 5008 (as Special AKA)
- 30 August 1984: What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend! (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 12 27 (as Special AKA)
- 03 September 1984 (BBC World Service): What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend! (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 12 27 (as Special AKA)
- 20 September 1984: What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend! (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 12 27 (as Special AKA)
- 05 November 1984 (BFBS): Why? (single - Ghost Town) Two-Tone
- 1985
- 26 August 1985: Free Nelson Mandela (7") Two-Tone CHS TT 26 (as Special AKA)
- 1986
- 11 August 1986: Ghost Town (Extended Version) (12") Two-Tone
- 13 October 1986: Nelson Mandela (Extended Version) (12") Two-Tone (as Special AKA)
- 1987
- 13 January 1987: Too Much Too Young (12" - The Peel Sessions) Strange Fruit
- Rebel Yell: Ghost Town / Nelson Mandela
- 1988
- 13 June 1988: Free Nelson Mandela (The Whole World Is Watching Dance Mix) (12") Tone
- 18 July 1988: Free Nelson Mandela (The Whole World Is Watching Dance Mix) (12") Tone
- 1993
- 09 April 1993 (John Peel Is Jakki Brambles): Too Much Too Young (session version)
- 1996
- 05 August 1996: Long Shot Kick The Bucket / Liquidator / Moon Stomp (The Skinhead Symphony In Three Movements) (John Peel's Classic Sessions)
- 16 October 1996: Gangsters
- 2003
- 22 October 2003: Too Much Too Young (7") 2 Tone
See Also[]
- Record Boxes: Simon Raymonde: Includes "In The Studio With" LP
- Indie Charts
- UK Singles Chart Number Ones
- 1979 Top Twenty Albums
- All Time Top Ten
- Peel's Sounds Of The 60s And 70s
- Gigography 1979
- Gigography 1980
- Record Collection: Auction