History of The Specials in Timeline
The Specials, formed in 1977 in Coventry, England, were a prominent 2 tone and ska revival band. Known for their energetic mix of ska, rocksteady, and punk, the band, featuring Terry Hall, Neville Staple, Jerry Dammers, Lynval Golding, Roddy Radiation, Horace Panter, John Bradbury, Dick Cuthell, and Rico Rodriguez, delivered a potent blend of danceable music and socially conscious lyrics. Their signature look, inspired by 1960s mod and rude boy styles, further solidified their iconic status.
1924: Earliest Protest Song on Album
The album "Protest Songs 1924–2012" by The Specials includes protest songs spanning from 1924 to 2012, indicating the range of music covered.
1977: Early Formation and Name Changes
The band's origins trace back to 1977, initially known as the Automatics and later the Coventry Automatics before settling on The Specials.
1977: The Specials Formation
In 1977, The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, were formed in Coventry, England, pioneering the 2 tone and ska revival genres.
March 1978: Roddy Radiation Joins
Guitarist Roddy Byers, known as Roddy Radiation, joined the band in March 1978 in preparation for a demo recording session.
1978: Rock Against Racism and The Specials' Formation
The Specials' formation coincided with the rise of Rock Against Racism in 1978, with the band's core values aligning with the movement's anti-racism message.
May 1979: "Gangsters" Gains Popularity
In May 1979, John Peel played The Specials' debut single "Gangsters" on his influential BBC Radio One show, propelling the record into the Top 10 that summer.
1979: Seven Consecutive UK Top 10 Singles
Between 1979 and 1981, The Specials achieved an impressive streak of seven consecutive UK top 10 singles.
1979: Debut Album Release
The Specials, embracing mod and rude boy fashion, released their self-titled debut album in 1979, produced by Elvis Costello.
1980: "Too Much Too Young" Sparks Controversy
In 1980, The Specials' EP 'Too Much Too Young' achieved No. 1 success in the UK despite sparking controversy due to its lyrics addressing teen pregnancy and promoting contraception.
1980: "Too Much Too Young" Tops Charts
The Specials' EP 'The Special AKA Live!', featuring "Too Much Too Young," reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 1980.
1980: Previous Chart-topping Album
The last time The Specials had a number 1 album on the UK Albums Chart was in 1980, before the release of "Encore".
1981: Departure of Hall, Staple, and Golding
The band experienced a significant shift in 1981 when lead vocalists Terry Hall and Neville Staple, along with guitarist Lynval Golding, departed to form Fun Boy Three.
1981: Fun Boy Three Formation
Following their exit from The Specials, Golding, Hall, and Staple formed the pop band Fun Boy Three in 1981.
1981: "Ghost Town" Success and Band Split
The Specials released "Ghost Town" in 1981, which became a No. 1 hit. However, internal conflicts arose, and during the song's 'Top of the Pops' recording, Staple, Hall, and Golding announced their departure to form Fun Boy Three.
1981: "Ghost Town" Reaches No. 1
In 1981, The Specials released "Ghost Town," a single reflecting the recession, which also topped the UK charts.
1983: Fun Boy Three Disbands
Fun Boy Three achieved commercial success until 1983, disbanding after Hall's departure, which led to a rift with Staple.
1984: "Free Nelson Mandela" Release
Continuing as "The Special AKA," the band, with a revised lineup, released new material until 1984, including the hit single "Free Nelson Mandela."
1984: Terry Hall Forms The Colourfield
Terry Hall formed The Colourfield in 1984, embarking on a new musical project after his time with The Specials.
1984: "Free Nelson Mandela" Impact and Band Dissolution
The Special AKA released 'In the Studio' in 1984, with the single "Free Nelson Mandela" becoming a notable hit and contributing to the anti-apartheid movement. Jerry Dammers disbanded the group afterward to focus on political activism.
1987: The Colourfield Disbands
The Colourfield, fronted by Terry Hall, disbanded in 1987, leading Hall to pursue other musical endeavors.
1990: Special Beat Formation
In 1990, Bradbury, Golding, Panter, and Staple joined forces with members of the Beat to create Special Beat, a band dedicated to performing songs by both groups and other ska and Two Tone classics.
1992: Vegas Releases Debut Album
The duo Vegas, formed by Terry Hall and David A. Stewart, released their self-titled debut album in 1992.
1993: The Specials Collaborate with Desmond Dekker
Several members of The Specials collaborated with ska legend Desmond Dekker on the album "King of Kings" in 1993, marking a reunion of sorts for the band members.
1993: The Specials Reunite
The Specials reunited in 1993 and continued to perform and record, although without Jerry Dammers.
1994: "X Specials" Release
A group known as "X Specials," featuring Staple, Golding, Radiation, and Panter, released a cover of Slade's "Coz I Luv You" in 1994, produced by Slade's Jim Lea.
1996: The Specials Release "Today's Specials"
The Specials, under the moniker Specials MkII, released the album "Today's Specials" in 1996, featuring a mix of reggae and ska covers.
1998: The Specials Conclude Japan Tour
The Specials завершили свой тур по Японии в 1998 году, что ознаменовало собой период перемен для состава группы.
1998: The Specials Release "Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!"
The Specials, as Specials MkII, released the album "Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!" in 1998, showcasing their original songwriting abilities.
1999: Roger Lomas Works with The Selecter
Producer Roger Lomas worked with the band The Selecter in 1999, prior to bringing The Specials back to the studio for a new recording project.
2000: Lynval Golding Departs From The Specials
Lynval Golding left The Specials in 2000, marking a period of transition for the band's lineup.
2000: The Specials Continue Limited Touring
The Specials continued touring on a limited basis into 2000, despite facing lineup changes and a less active period.
2000: The Specials Release "Skinhead Girl"
The Specials, with Neol Davies joining the lineup, released "Skinhead Girl" in 2000, featuring recordings of classic Trojan Records tracks.
2001: The Specials Release "Conquering Ruler"
The Specials released the album "Conquering Ruler" in 2001, featuring recordings from earlier sessions, marking a point of transition before a period of relative quiet from the band.
2001: The Specials Release "Conquering Ruler"
The Specials, with Neol Davies as part of the lineup, released "Conquering Ruler" in 2001, featuring more recordings from the Trojan Records catalog.
2006: Jerry Dammers Forms The Spatial AKA Orchestra
Jerry Dammers formed the Spatial AKA Orchestra in 2006, exploring a jazz-influenced sound with a large ensemble.
2007: Terry Hall and Lynval Golding Reunite for Performances
Terry Hall and Lynval Golding reunited musically for the first time in 24 years in 2007, performing Specials songs at festivals like Glastonbury and GuilFest.
March 2008: Terry Hall Hints at Specials Reunion
Terry Hall hinted at a potential Specials reunion in March 2008, sparking anticipation among fans.
April 2008: Specials Reunion Confirmed
The Specials officially confirmed their reunion in April 2008, generating excitement for their upcoming tour dates.
September 2008: The Specials Perform at Bestival
Six members of The Specials made a surprise appearance at Bestival in September 2008, further fueling the excitement for their reunion tour.
December 2008: The Specials Announce 30th Anniversary Tour
The Specials announced a tour to celebrate their 30th anniversary in December 2008, although Jerry Dammers was not part of the lineup.
April 2009: The Specials Appear on "Later... with Jools Holland"
The Specials made a memorable appearance on the BBC Two music program "Later... with Jools Holland" in April 2009, showcasing their enduring appeal.
May 2009: Lily Allen's Role in The Specials Reunion
Lily Allen played a significant role in reuniting Terry Hall and Lynval Golding in May 2009, which eventually contributed to The Specials' reformation.
June 2009: The Specials Announce Second Leg of 30th Anniversary Tour
The Specials announced a second leg of their 30th-anniversary tour in June 2009, expanding their reach to locations and venues they missed earlier.
August 2009: The Specials Tour Australia and Japan
The Specials took their 30th-anniversary tour international, performing in Australia and Japan in July and August 2009.
2009: The Specials Reunite
The Specials reunited in 2009, much to the delight of their fans, and continued to perform together for over a decade.
2009: John Bradbury Rejoins The Specials
John Bradbury rejoined The Specials in 2009 for their highly anticipated reunion.
2009: The Specials Reformation
The Specials reformed in 2009, marking a return to the music scene and a reunion of the band members.
2009: Neville Staple Returns to The Specials
Neville Staple rejoined The Specials in 2009 and continued performing with them until 2012.
2009: Lynval Golding Rejoins The Specials
Lynval Golding rejoined The Specials in 2009, contributing to the band's reunion and subsequent success.
2009: The Specials Embark on 30th Anniversary Tour
The Specials embarked on their highly anticipated 30th-anniversary tour in 2009, marking a triumphant return for the band.
2009: Roddy Radiation Rejoins The Specials
Roddy Radiation rejoined The Specials in 2009 for their reunion, contributing his musical talents to the band's later work.
2009: Terry Hall Rejoins The Specials
Terry Hall rejoined The Specials in 2009, marking a significant moment in the band's history as they embarked on a reunion tour.
November 2010: Interview at the Green Room
In November 2010, Terry Hall gave an interview at the Green Room in Manchester, hinting at upcoming Specials dates and expressing his enjoyment in performing live again.
2010: The Specials Perform at Lowlands Festival
The Specials performed at the Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands in 2010, further solidifying their presence in the international music scene.
2011: The Specials Autumn Tour
The Specials had further tour dates in the autumn of 2011, as Terry Hall had previously suggested in an interview.
2011: The Specials 2011 European Tour
The Specials went on a European tour in 2011. The best performances were later released on the album "More... Or Less. – The Specials Live".
February 2012: The Specials to Perform at Olympics Closing Ceremony
In February 2012, The Specials were announced to perform at Hyde Park alongside Blur and New Order to celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony.
August 2012: Release of "More... Or Less. – The Specials Live"
August 2012 saw the release of 'More... Or Less. – The Specials Live', a live album curated from recordings of their 2011 European tour.
2012: Neville Staple Departs The Specials (Again)
Neville Staple concluded his second stint with The Specials in 2012.
2012: Most Recent Protest Song on Album
The album "Protest Songs 1924–2012" by The Specials includes protest songs spanning from 1924 to 2012, indicating the range of music covered.
January 2013: Neville Staple Leaves The Specials
Neville Staple's departure from The Specials was announced in January 2013, citing health reasons.
May 2013: The Specials UK Tour
The Specials embarked on a UK tour in May 2013, without Neville Staple, who had left the band in January.
2013: The Specials North American Tour
The Specials completed a North American tour in 2013, performing to sold-out crowds in various cities across the United States and Canada.
February 2014: Roddy Radiation Leaves The Specials
Roddy Radiation's exit from the reformed Specials was revealed in February 2014.
2014: Roddy Radiation Departs From The Specials
Roddy Radiation's time with The Specials came to an end in 2014, marking another change in the band's lineup.
December 2015: Death of John Bradbury
John Bradbury, the drummer for The Specials, passed away on December 28, 2015, at the age of 62.
2015: John Bradbury Passes Away
John Bradbury, the drummer for The Specials, passed away in 2015.
March 2016: Gary Powell Joins The Specials
Following the death of John Bradbury, The Specials announced in March 2016 that Gary Powell, drummer for The Libertines, would be joining them for upcoming tours.
2017: Saffiyah Khan Joins The Specials
In 2017, the band invited Saffiyah Khan, a young woman who had gained recognition for confronting a far-right demonstrator while wearing a Specials t-shirt, to join them on tour. Within two years, Khan was performing and recording with the band.
October 2018: UK Tour and New Album Announcement
On October 29, 2018, the band announced a UK tour planned for 2019 to coincide with the release of their new album, 'Encore'.
February 2019: Release of "Encore" and North American Tour
The Specials released their new album, "Encore", on February 1, 2019, and embarked on a North American tour to promote it.
2019: UK Tour
The Specials embarked on a UK tour, as announced in October 2018.
March 2021: UK Tour Announcement
In March 2021, the band announced a UK tour.
July 2021: New Album Announcement
Horace Panter announced a new Specials album on July 7, 2021. The 12-track album, titled "Protest Songs 1924–2012," featured vocalist Hannah Hu, who also joined the band for their 2021 tour.
August 2021: Release of "Protest Songs 1924–2012"
August 23, 2021 marked the release of "Protest Songs 1924–2012," the new album by The Specials, featuring vocalist Hannah Hu.
December 2022: Death of Terry Hall
Terry Hall, frontman of The Specials, died on December 19, 2022, at the age of 63 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
December 2022: The Specials Disband
The Specials disbanded in December 2022, marking the end of an era for the influential band.
December 2022: Terry Hall's Passing
The Specials, after reuniting in 1993 and performing with various lineups, faced the loss of Terry Hall in December 2022.
2022: Terry Hall Passes Away
Terry Hall, the vocalist for The Specials, passed away in 2022, leaving behind a legacy as a prominent figure in ska and new wave music.
2022: The Specials Disband
The Specials, of which Golding was a member, disbanded in 2022.
2023: The Specials Disbandment
In 2023, Horace Panter confirmed that The Specials had disbanded following the death of Terry Hall.