NME Artists

The Special A.K.A.

NME.com feature on The Special A.K.A. including news, reviews, biography, youtube video, audio, concerts, tour dates, photos, pictures, commentary, album reviews and live reviews and cool facts.

Buy The Special A.K.A. Albums

All The Special A.K.A. Albums

back to top

YouTube The Special A.K.A. Videos

The Specials - Nelson Mandela Play Video

The Specials - Nelson Mandela

Music video by The Special AKA performing Nelson Mandela.

The Special AKA - Gangsters [totp2] Play Video

The Special AKA - Gangsters [totp2]

This takes me back :) The Specials were one of the best things to come out of the 70s.

The Specials - Racist Friend Play Video

The Specials - Racist Friend

Music video by The Special AKA performing Racist Friend.

The Specials - What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend Play Video

The Specials - What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend

Music video by The Special AKA performing What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend.

THE SPECIAL AKA WAR CRIMES Play Video

THE SPECIAL AKA WAR CRIMES

THE SPECIAL AKA WAR CRIMES

More YouTube The Special A.K.A. Videos

back to top

The Special A.K.A. Biography

The Specials (sometimes called The Special AKA) are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combined a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups. The group was formed by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals) and a rhythm section. The band wore mod-style "'60s-period rude-boy outfits (porkpie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers)". In 1979, the song "Too Much Too Young" reached the number one spot in the UK. In 1981, the unemployment-themed single "Ghost Town" single also hit number one in the UK. Their music is featured in film and television soundtracks. After seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, the band broke up. In 2008, it was announced that the band would reform and embark on a 30th anniversary tour in 2009.

Powered by Wikipedia

back to top

Like The Special A.K.A.? You might also like...

 
Powered by Last.fm

Artist/Album artwork images hosted by Last.fm. For copyright enquiries please see here.

New Issue On Sale Now
Newsletter

Free weekly music news, videos and MP3s in your inbox:

Most Read News
Popular This Week
NME Store & Framed Prints
Inside NME.COM
On NME.COM Today