To get to know The Specials, you can start from many sides. But if you have friends who are fond of them, ask your friends this question, “Jerry or Terry?”. This question is such a magic spell to open the first page of the epic about the powerful Ska Revivalists from Great Britain. If the mantra becomes more and more interested, be prepared to hear a lovely statement that The Specials affect (most) of their lives.

Jeremy David Hounsell Dammers aka Jerry Dammers is closely related to the trivia and facts behind the ideas, also social and political views of the punk rock spirit that has driven The Specials’ music. Pete Waterman, one of the UK’s pop music figures in the 1980s, described Jerry as a creative dynamo for The Specials. His love for music is so high. Paul Williams wrote in his book, when he was 13 years old Jerry sent a demo of his work to John Lennon.

Terrence Edward Hall aka Terry Hall is known as a deadpan and impassive singer. But this is precisely his signature. After the “break” from The Specials, he set up Fun Boy Three. His discography is such a long list, full of exploration with the musicians he had collaborated with. Starting from Leila Arab, an urban experimental musician, as well as Tricky, one of the pivotal forces of the emergence behind Bristol’s power; Massive Attack, and Junkie XL, to the full of charms modern artists; Damon Albarn.

Mentioning Jerry or Terry, of course, must carry another name from The Specials. Stephen Graham Panter (Sir Horace Gentleman) is the first figure Jerry needs in this line up. A bass player from a soul band, an unpretentious young man who later injected great energy from deep telepathy, as the results of what he did with John Bradbury (co-author and drummer who contributed Northern Soul and reggae touches as the foundation for the seminal work of The Specials). Then, Jamaican-born Lynval Golding who played guitar for The Specials. Lynval is a person who is “responsible” for making Horace more steeped in reggae, Lynval is a crucial figure who contributed to the birth of off-beat-ska by The Specials. Also, Roddy Byers is an important person who has an important role. Although Elvis Costello (producer for their debut album, The Specials) had considered Roddy’s playing “disruptive” to the composition of the song, but then it became a proof that Roddy’s rock ‘n’ roll guitar lick polished the repertoire on this debut more energetic and became classic. Neville Staple was the last to join as a co-vocalist and percussionist, he is closely associated with Original Rudeboy. Starting out as a roadie, this tough young man who grew up on the streets has musical references from Gregory Isaacs, and Linton Kwesi Johnson. Through his toasting abilities, The Specials becomes even more special. This formation then gave birth to a new powerful movement in the British music scene in the late 1970s.

The Specials’ belief through 2Tone’s big idea made them written in many historical records in the future. Since the beginning of their career, the music they produce has spread to many corners of the UK. Making their hometown Coventry, became the center for the birth of second wave ska in England. Heather Augustyn, in “Ska The Rhythm of Liberation” emphasized that ska is not just a result of tone and rhythm, ska is the voice of the people. 

The Specials and 2Tone also inject progressive awareness into British youth a statement of equality through their multiracial identity.

As a music collective, this formula has even made The National Front and the British Movement often infiltrate, doing poison the well strategy to interfere the growth of awareness which brought by The Specials and 2Tone. 

The Specials’ repertoires and their gigs are so phenomenal, at that time many British music celebrities willingly came to parties and rejoiced in their gigs. Mick Jagger allegedly attended the gigs of The Specials with the aim of recruiting them for Rolling Stones Records (after getting Peter Tosh’s signature a year earlier). Recognition for The Specials music also flowed, Paul McCartney even sent a telegram congratulating the achievement of The Specials’ self titled debut. This outfit has garnered a big acclaim.

Chrysalis Records is the next chapter of 2Tone’s expansion, the label accommodates a collaborative proposal of distribution and total control over the talents represented by 2Tone as a musical imprint. The Specials turned down offers with larger money deals from other companies. This chrysalis deal brought in an even bigger “wave” from 2Tone. The roster is now increasing, The Beat, The Selecter, Madness, The Bodysnatcher and even the legend from Alpha Boys School; Rico Rodriguez released two of his solo albums through 2Tone.

Touring with 2Tone roster provides another history, fun and glorious gigs along the way. Horace Panter tells how triumphantly the gigs they celebrate, it’s not about the profits, it’s a dance for everybody. They presented nourished repertoires taken from their debut album energetically. Lloyd Charmers’ interpretation of Birth Control from Too Much Too Young really burns the dance floor. Likewise with Gangster as homage to Prince Buster. Nite Klub, Do the dog and It’s up to you completely equip the energy shared by these lads from Coventry. The herky-jerky upbeat formula presented by The Specials is the form and sound of a clever move that embeds serious lyrics into the rhythm of an endless dance.

The awareness brought by The Specials about the diversity of identities and efforts to make them blend in, was successfully presented through the post punk energy.

Lynval Golding explains that reggae is too heavy, full of thought for our audience, they want energy, and a little bit of a cheerful jump.

The Specials didn’t just appeal to their own fan base. While on tour with the legendary Trio The Police in several cities in America, The Specials often made Sting the frontman of this trio feel jealous of the audience’s response during the tour. Paul Williams tells this in the book You’re Wondering Now: The Specials from conception to reunion which he wrote.

Starting in the 1980s, there is one important note from The Specials. “Ghost Town”, a poetic protest song. The lyrics are highly representative of views on the economic turmoil and unrest over the social situation in England at that time. Close to the moment of this release, The Specials “pulled” their fans to gather and attend “The Northern Carnival Against Racism” in the city of Leeds. The fans who attended seemed to share The Specials’ big idea about diversity, with the dominant number of fans coming from Afro-Caribbean and Asian backgrounds. The song also topped the top positions of the British charts for weeks of that year. A climax in the short span of their glorious years. 

“Ghost Town”, establishing The Specials as a representation of the voice of society at that time. Making The Specials become “legit” as a part of the industry, marking their history. But at the same time it gives a sign of the schism of these seven icons to pin down. There are so many stories about these youths from Coventry after this split, their attempts to continue to live in music, to continue their life, sad stories have come to them. Even the sad news about the death of John Bradbury. Even so, the inspiration from The Specials through his works is still present. One example, such as the story from Saffiyah Khan.

In 2008, The Specials went on a reunion tour (minus Jerry). They then returned to release their album “Encore” in 2019 with three original line-ups, Terry and Horace and Lynval. Various reviews on this work are scattered. Positive criticism, likes and dislikes are out there too, not to mention the flood of classic opinion with the mantra “Jerry or Terry”. Encore has again pushed The Specials on the charts while still carries a message about awareness, a sound of diversity and of course keeps people dancing. A few months after Encore, the Los Angeles city government designated May 29 as The Specials day. An expression of gratitude for the inspiration that this legendary ska revivalist always brings, an embedded message from their mighty monochrome logo.

Walt Jabsco, the 2Tone logo comes from a photo of Peter Tosh. Horace put the “2” ornament on the logo and Jerry argued that the pose and figure of Peter Tosh are identical with something sturdy and defiant. Like The Specials, about forty steady years as a pioneer and back again with their Encore. The Specials stay relevant!

(sam)