THE SPECIAL A.K.A. 'Free Nelson Mandela' early version/studio rehearsal

[@QuinnHomes]

Epic track! Jerry Dammers is a genius. This is without doubt the best song any political organization has ever used.

[@QuinnHomes]

Thank you

[@jerrysmith2360]

The record was brilliant because of a combination of the lyrics, music, production etc but on this version, thanks to the singers, the words really demonstrate their power

[@shellydrew100]

This should be shown in schools as part of history lessons , brilliant is an understatment !

[@Chris-g4z4i]

RIP Garry, miss you. First peron you met in L3 when arriving at Warwick Uni as a young lad and we became great mates. Chris B.

[@juliecook8890]

Jerry damners is a total legend, hero x

[@nickhodges4150]

Many songs hit us hard but therr are few that embed deep in the body and remain,this is one of them. Legendary lyrics written for a legendary man. The specials take a bow.

[@juliecook8890]

Thank u jerry damners for opening a lot of peoples eyes, I was 12 n u made me see the truth x

[@lionscourt]

Stan Campbell, WHAT A VoICe!!!!!!!! He seems even strange here early on.....but what a voice!!!!

[@daypeshmodd]

I'll never bash The Specials as they are today cos I absolutely love them! Still, I wish Jerry had joined them. As far as I'm concerned, they're all brilliant in both camps. Jerry's songwriting is outta this world and Free Nelson Mandela is just one of the many examples. Stan Campbell...well,what a voice! And (I'm really late here), thx so much for posting this, I had never seen it before!

[@theSocal515]

Thanx so much for posting this and although the ex-wife was from Coventry I always loved the band. The Specials, Fun Boy Three, Specials AKA.. Nelson Mandela is a great man and it will be a sadder world when we has departed. Thankfully I was in so. California in the 80s and so I heard this song so often in KROQ-FM, Pasadena. It has a terrific melody and beat and message as many of the punk, new wave, post wave, new romantic songs did. You cant beat the politics on the dance floor.

[@MatthewTaylor1]

Love this version - if only for the fact it lasts longer

[@patrickmannion4952]

I'm gonna try and get my son's marching band director to have them do this song next year.

[@josh41976]

A friend played me this song just after Mandelas death and I literally CANNOT get enough of it! Possible future ringtone!

[@spitschaz]

that is jerry dammers. genius. the song of the 20th century. X

[@erinbardwell]

This is one of the best things Jerry Dammers and Co ever did. The whole Specials story built up to this point in 1984. Great to see this footage - with Rhoda Dakar, Egidio Newton, Dick Cuthell, and Gary McManus - bass (he has now died I beleive - R.I.P.) And now Jerry Dammers with his Spatial AKA Orchestra (with Rico on trombone), are picking up where this era left off. You can hear the natural thread within the sounds that links it all right up.

[@bestrickie2]

Excellent performance and yes I’ve always liked this one dating back to the pop singles UK chart 1984. Yeh those were the days.

[@ChrisCasseroles]

Priceless archive footage

[@noyurisoderland4190]

powerful singing! thank you, all. Nelson Mandela is courageous.

[@Writeowl]

Stan looked like he'd been plucked from another planet - there was something sort of other-worldly about him. For sure that voice didn't come from this planet!!

[@carlosmoreno9094]

So powerful song ✊🏾💝💝🦋

[@carolynmurphy3697]

I remember hanging out with Stan Campbell on occasions back in the day in Coventry. What fun times were back then

[@lionscourt]

this verision is 1000 times better than the album version!!!!!!! if Special AKA had of came out with a live album they would be worldwide immortal right now... Did anybody actually see them perform this song with Stan Campbell????

[@jump3kiwi]

One of the best fucking songs ever!!

[@MsMuhanji]

this song and so many others are an example of the love for Mandela that the world felt, no matter the medium of expression.

[@elvispreseli]

Don't be so bitter. Even without Jerry they still do it. I saw them on their 1st tour and when they reformed. I also saw Jerry's Arkestra a couple of years back and they were brilliant. Heal Nelson Mandela!!

[@1computernew]

R.I.P. Mr. Mandela.

[@npeaceisfun]

he came in a time when his country was under the oppression of european rule and needed him. He lead it to a new and improved future. His methods may be criticized at times but the truth is he brought peace and that outcome can't be denied. There are far too many others who are Actually terrorists and are spreading destruction to hate on Mandela after all the good he did for the people of South Africa. Also Great Song.

[@spitschaz]

complete fucking genius.

[@mightypank]

just heard president Zuma announce departure of nelson Mandella. Very moving. a terrible loss.

[@iamspartacus6713]

fabulous voice stan campbell

[@robgyde]

A good man.

[@zoeglynn5113]

Skill! #FREEDOM

[@1boselecta1]

RIP Nelson

[@jeffj4949]

Fly high Madiba

[@stefanhoock1917]

Thanks for the upload of this footage, it's very much appreciated! :-) Does anyone by the way know how Stan Campbell is doing these days (I think he's been living in Birmingham since a couple of years)?

[@dingobat2389]

This the 20th Century Amazing Grace.

[@isles8008]

I've heard the phrase 'British teeth' before, but dear god man!

[@brbertram]

Wow!

[@alessandrolandi9458]

Miss you Madiba

[@RobinParmar]

RIP

[@windesque22]

Nice.

[@jeannewegrzyn4506]

I LOVE MUCH MUCH JEANNE MARIE ET FRANCOIS HOLLANDE

[@LSweet2007]

They did!

[@justbraz]

Finally free. RIP.

[@dave474c]

He was always free. It's in the mind.

[@chatman2a]

dave474c No it isn't.

[@dave474c]

Charles C It is to a degree. Look up Victor Frankl and his experiences in German concentration camps.

[@chatman2a]

dave474c I'm familiar with Frankl. I read his book (Man's Search For Meaning) while in high school. OK, upon further review, I suppose you're right. I stand corrected.

[@zandybelle]

Me hubiera encantado que esta melodía la hubiera cantado Terry Hall!!! Claro sin quitarle méritos a Stan Campbell.

[@doreenbrownlie771]

This song opened my eyes as to what was happening in the world- I was a teenager. Years later I find out that the beautiful, talented man that was the lead singer attacked a young girl- it’s made me confused, I love and support the song but not Stan Campbell, he now has opened my eyes in a really negative way😢

[@lmr-wo7lv]

Where did it all go wrong for Stan?

[@1computernew]

The lead singer looks like the actor, Leon.

[@aristotle358]

@SQReader77 I was thinking the same about the teeth.

[@sosidecop64]

Didn’t know Falco played drums.

[@simiyah2010]

RIP Mandela

[@JohnvL]

freeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@simonyip5978]

Every single penny made by this song was donated to the ANC.. (and if you believe that, you'll believe anything..).

[@bushwacka8406]

epic tache!

[@howardsternisbatman]

Where's his teef?

[@philski63]

strong song but its all about Stan Campbell

[@GordonRulez231]

[@khannadakah1321]

freéeeeeeeeeeeeee trahilala

[@ivb815]

"Where`s my Free Nelson Mandela?"

[@bongobohemia72]

Freeeeeeee.....John Shipleeeeeeeee.........where was heeeeee????

[@leemorris2924]

Tuning up at the beginning if you look carefully.

[@LeonTrimble]

teeth weren't so important in those days.

[@electricjovanotti]

R.I.P Stan campbell

[@Writeowl]

Has he passed away??

[@frankyboy6245]

@@Writeowl still alive living in longbridge, lost the plot abit, on medication i think, shame

[@Writeowl]

@@frankyboy6245 Yes, very sad. He had so much potential but clearly his demons got the better of him.

[@anjaanja2369]

R..I .P Winnie Mandela xoxo

[@LeonTrimble]

Speaking of ruling minorities...

[@juliecook8890]

Calotholisism 777 dont you realise the crusades were done with hundreds of years ago, we live in in a munticulturist society what planet do u live on!

[@76enrique76]

You dont know aloty about history FACTS. Why dont you go home and study before you do comments?

[@annehodgson]

RIP