Two-Tone and Ska’s HUGE Influence on Music

[@Producelikeapro]

What period of music had a huge influence on you? Let me know below!

[@valium-fm7236]

The selector - die happy .

[@marienbad2]

"Ghost town" - it so accurately describes some of the UK's towns at that time. Also, regarding skinheads: Don Letts has a fantastic documentary about the Skinhead culture and how it started as kids into Reggae and then became right wing. It's on KZbin and well worth a watch.

[@danaschmitz5490]

Probably 'Gangsters' by the Specials

[@iancarr8682]

OMD - Enola Gay

[@toddgreenwood9631]

Oh man, you break my heart. Nostalgic period for me. I was 18 in 1980, trying to survive out on my own. I had a car, a sleeping bag, an acoustic and an electric and with my first construction job paycheck bought a high quality JVC portable stereo/cassette recorder with AM/FM/short wave and was able to discover Maddness. (all from the blandness of the Canadian praries where there just wern't a lot of punk clubs. When I bought vinyl I'd have to crash at a friends place who had a stereo so I could transfer newly acquired treasures to cassette. I didn't know what was Ska or TwoTone or Rock Steady, I just thought it was all amped up Reggae. Had to learn some British words though. The Specials taught me the word "Nappie". I remember not knowing what a nappie was but figured it out because of their lyrics. Wonderful piece man.

[@1_5RCBiker]

Ghost Town is for me the greatest breakthrough song of ska. It defined what was happening. The haunting echoey Trumpet solo just defines urban decay of the early 1980s. Shite explanation but it was just THAT good! I still listen to it 40 years later so it shows how good it is.

[@JC-zw9vs]

By the time Ghost Town came out 2 Tone genre had already peaked.

[@janedoe6350]

@@JC-zw9vs No, the peak came with Nelson Mandela. Jerry Dammers changed the world with his musical arrangements.... I never did get my free Nelson Mandela though! I didn't have anywhere to put him anyway.

[@JC-zw9vs]

@@janedoe6350 nah Nelson Mandela can't be called ska.

[@janedoe6350]

@@JC-zw9vs OK, i'll give you that... it's Soca or soul calypso as some call it. Jamaica had Ska while Barbados had Soca... but this video is called "Two-Tone and Ska’s HUGE Influence" and ska revival was just one big melting pot anyhow. Still love it

[@jemwand2530]

I think it depends where you live. 2 Tone hit the UK like a well deserved bullet. Ghost Town was, I believe , the last single by the original Specials line up, so it was more like it's final death rattle. When I say that, I mean it was the Specials going out with bang, at the top of their game.

[@TheEyrie]

It was the soundtrack to my child years. Still love the sound, energy and message it brings

[@KellyDavidMusic]

I grew up in the same era, however I was one of the few young Canadian musicians that followed Ska and was influenced and moved by this amazing sound. Thank you my friend for a great tribute !

[@ronbo11]

Being in the Midwest of the US growing up, I didn't hear all the music from the UK as quickly as they did in places like NYC. My first introductions to these new ska bands were Madness ("Our House" was all over MTV and "It Must Be Love" did pretty well) and The (English) Beat. I heard "Mirror in the Bathroom" on a CD compilation called "The Best of Music and Rhythm" which featured artists that played the first WOMAD festival in 1982. I was a huge Peter Gabriel fan and his help in organizing WOMAD and eventually setting up Real World records got me into world music in a big way. For me to learn about The Specials and The Selector, I had to do more research and targeted purchases. I have become a big fan of Two Tone music and a few Christmases past I was the proud recipient of the 5-CD boxset "The Complete Beat" from my sweet niece. The passing of Terry Hall was so sad to hear. I love his work in The Specials & Fun Boy Three. His contribution to great music cannot be overlooked. You're words were very appropriate and appreciated. Thanks to you and your partners for sharing these videos!

[@gleninsouthgs]

Absolutely Absolutely Absolutely, love your story, love your journey. Like you can relate to the signs of the times.

[@lyniseuk]

Well said Warren. You brought a smile to my face and a slight tear to my eye. I was black 15 year old kid back then, and I loved that period. Seeing black and white working class kids having so much fun together, making great music, touched a nerve with me. It was so empowering. Thank you ☺

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for the great comment! I really appreciate hearing your experience of that period, it means a lot

[@jemwand2530]

Terry Hall has to be one of the most underrated British vocalists, his ability to transition from barking social comment, to cynical put down and then to fragile sensitivity is amazing. Also he collaborated with so many other artists, from Colourfield to Lightning Seeds, Sinead O'Connor, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Gorillaz and of course Amy Winehouse. I was truly saddened to hear of Terry's passing because he and the Specials were such a big influence on both my youth and my musical journey.

[@johnfowler4820]

Well said. R.I.P. Terry Hall

[@wbertie2604]

It was an attitude, full of social comment, downbeat in his personal style. It worked very well with Golding and Staple there too, both for the vocal contrast but also the differences and juxtaposition of stage personas.

[@Producelikeapro]

I'm a huge Specials and Terry Hall fan. For my birthday my wife got me a signed photo of the band, I will treasure it as I treasure every memory I have of them! Incredible music.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@johnfowler4820 Yes, R.I.P Terry Hall

[@Producelikeapro]

@@wbertie2604 yes, agreed 100%

[@midnightAlchemistOfficial]

I've been a lifetime fan. I was 16 in 1979 and one day I dropped into "Sam the Record Man" music store in Calgary Alberta. The manager there was from Manchester UK and living in Calgary at the time. The manager had brought in many "UK imports and had copies playing while we were shopping in the store. It was because of this store manager that I became a huge fan of the 2nd wave ska sound and also fell in love with punk and the waves coming across the pond. To this day I still listen to the Specials and many others and know how special this music was and still is today. RIP Terry Hall.

[@DadCanInJapan]

Same age. I was in Toronto, though. Sams was the best for great music.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

Two-tone was genuinely inclusive and musically vibrant. In so many ways, we need more two-tone right now.

[@Producelikeapro]

Very well said!

[@zatransis]

Ska (and specifically Two-Tone) is alive and well. We could always use more, but a little digging and you’ll find a ton of bands in this genre.

[@rayhoughton8046]

Fucking x factor wankers put a stop to all this. There's no free licence for bands nowadays.

[@infojunkie4989]

Lots of offbeat/upbeat ‘skank’ in some house/techno too. Another era where there was a lot of diversity and inclusivity in the scene. Maybe the skank is magical that way? It does encourage a bounce that’s for sure!

[@autisticautomaton]

I'd recommend Bad Operation from New Orleans, Catbite from Philly, and Jer from Gainesville Florida.

[@GrexKhusan]

Oh dear... can I like this video multiple times.. like 100 times? This music is so important to me. My sister had Madness on a cassette. I listened... and that was it. I was hooked. Later we even had a ska-rock band with my friends! In some interview one of the band members of Madness said that they barely were able to play all the songs when recording the first album. They just did not have the skills yet. Doesn't really show.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate your wonderful comment!

[@guitboxgeek]

Gotta love our parents for their efforts to make us happy when we were kids despite their purse, eh? Great vid as always, Warren and team.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Chris!

[@EdwardJamesCrockford]

I expressed the same "Proud to be a Gen X:er" feelings almost verbatim (and probably with the same hand and body movements too) to my teenage daughter a few days ago, how there was so much amazing diversity in music at the time - even mentioned the same bands! Great time to get into music. Nice video - and timely tribute to Terry Hall.

[@a3lfeoxld]

As a Brit who was born in 1969, I was 10/11 when 2 Tone got big and it was a game changer for me. This was the first musical movement I fell in love with and still love it to this day. Like you, I tried my best to dress like a little rude boy and was so proud when I got a Harrington jacket

[@johnfowler4820]

Me too, we are the same age. What I see around me in my west midlands city makes me realise how much we need a movement like two tone to "comment" on our "social" situation.

[@wbertie2604]

The clothes were important as they announced that you were for social solidarity and anti-racism.

[@rachelkear3657]

Same! I was 11 when 2-Tone exploded in 79-80. It was a total game-changer.

[@MSmith-Photography]

Thank you for honouring the genre and to Terry. It was an early music influence in my life. It was odd compared to the popular music of the day and I was odd compared the the popular kids of my day.

[@grahamtaylor6883]

That monologue gave me goosebumps. Well done Warren, you summed it up perfectly. I'm a similar age to you and that time period was 'Special' (excuse the pun). SKA was the backdrop of music for me. I went for the whole skin head, braces, 14 hole boot look. Doc Martins were the boot of choice, but like you, my parents couldn't afford them, so I ended up with Sargeant Peppers, which were a cheaper version. I went to see The Specials in Wales in 2016 with my partner. She's only in her 30's and from Lithuania, but absolutely loves SKA. It was for her 30th birthday that we went. What a night! We stood off to the side for the first two tracks and then I looked at her and said, "this is not good enough, we need to be in the mosh pit". So off we went. When the night finished, I looked like I'd been swimming. I had to drive back to Yorkshire with no shirt on as it was absolutely drenched. It couldn't have been any better. RIP Terry Hall. he never really looked like he wanted to be on stage, but that dead pan persona just added to it.

[@GS-uy4xo]

Your unscripted commentary near the end was absolutely fantastic - I really learned a lot. I’m a music teacher teaching in China and my students have been working on reggae and it’s history. They love love love ska and I’ll use this video to reinforce how important this period is. We’ve been playing “A message to Rudy” and even though they’re a bit shy they sang this while playing and then danced while singing a cappella - it was shocking and really powerful. When I told them about Terry’s death they were very emotional and we vowed to play this for our end of year performance. Thank you for this video!!

[@roger_rivas]

Tell them bout it Warren! These genres are my life. Thank you for shining a light on this whole story. Longtime fan here.

[@lucianoriva6979]

Maaaaan i love your songs. Huge influence on my keyboard playing. Cheers from Peru.

[@Producelikeapro]

Roger, what an honour! I love your band! The Aggrolites Rule!

[@louisbek1443]

Really enjoyable video. I was 15 in ‘79 and can relate to everything you say. Also, I was living just north of Cov at the time and so was immersed in the whole 2-Tone scene. As you mention, I think the most amazing aspect of that period from ‘76 to ‘80 was the speed in which all these genres of music started to appear. I saw Sparks as an 11 year old at Coventry Theatre in ‘75 (my first live gig) as I had my music education from listening to my older brother’s record collection at the time… Prog Rock, Rock and Glam… Then came Punk, then Ska, then New Wave and by the time I was 16 the New Romantics had arrived. An eclectic decade to be sure…

[@gregorbingham]

As Monty Python would say 'Luxury'! We were insanely lucky, and we all LOVED the ska bands. You forgot to mention - it was easy for the lads to dance to! We were all rubbish dancers!

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha I hear you! I’m a terrible dancer

[@TartanSax]

I was really moved by your passion for this period in our musical history. I was 13 in 79 and hugely influenced by Two Tone,ska and Reggae I remember going with my mum to Glasgow to by a suit with skinny trousers and lapels,a Two Tone tie and some black and white spats like Paul Weller wore;I felt like the Bees Knees,it was also an introduction in to Soul,Jazz and other Genres,which led me to becoming a Musician,I thank you for you honesty and passion

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Jimmy! I really appreciate your wonderful comment

[@leefchapman]

I love how concise this was, yet in-depth enough to give a great sense of just how incredible it was at the time. I was born later but I can definitely say the resonance of the impact on my parents was felt by me!

[@garethde-witt6433]

Terry was a legend he will be missed.

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, he certainly will

[@Lafundicionsonora]

all this revival music blew me up. I was 10 and the madness complete album enter at my home and it was the first album that all my family like at one. My mum included! So fresh and funny with an extra quality alternative style. Then came the others by specials and selecter, what a new sound!!Lov it.And it opened my mind, really. Fan till then, and still! Really . Lyrics, music and social involvement. It changes not just Britain, here in Barcelona it was a great push too for a lot of young people.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing your experiences

[@Kkidzz]

Terry’s solo albums are my faves. Working with Ian Broudie on ‘Home’, they created a pop masterpiece.

[@Producelikeapro]

Terry was a force of nature, incredible talent!

[@davidlloydjones752]

I doubt Terry would have had any conception of how he'll be missed. ✌

[@Producelikeapro]

That light be true, however, for many of us he was the voice of a generation

[@davidlloydjones752]

@@Producelikeapro Indeed,and I'm one of that generation. Your recalling of your desperate efforts to look Rude Boy cool rang so many bells. 😀

[@outtathyme5679]

The Selecter is way under appreciated

[@EdwardJamesCrockford]

Always loved "Mirror in the Bathroom" by The Beat - still can't figure out those guitar chords after all these years!

[@outtathyme5679]

Open tuning

[@EdwardJamesCrockford]

@@outtathyme5679 Now you tell me!

[@wbertie2604]

@@EdwardJamesCrockford DADAAD, most likely. Dave Wakeling was trying to discover DADGAD and failed. You can probably make DADGAD work.

[@MarcelGomesPan]

I remember loving it. I am Swedish but 2 Tone and Ska was clearly a thing here too. I remember buying the albums and singles with their distinctive design. I am 58 now and still listen to it now and again ( quite often actually ). I was heartbroken hearing about Terry. Such an iconic part of my early 80’s. RIP Terry and thanks for all the music. 🎶

[@janedoe6350]

I grew up in Coventry in the late 70s and early 80s. What an education. I would go to clubs where Punks, Skin Heads and Rastas would all hang out together. Wonderful days.

[@Producelikeapro]

That’s amazing. Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@janedoe6350]

​@@Producelikeapro"That's what my heart yearns for now. Love & Pride". We had something very special back then... thanks for making this video, you had me in tears watching it. Very emotional. I sensed your passion. BTW, you dun alf look like Lux Interior of The Cramps... Cool!

[@witch_haunts_ghost]

This was such a great video. Thank you so much, Warren. I especially loved your reflections at the end. I'm a Gen X-er as well (an Australian) and the run-off effect of those bands reached us (slowly but surely). I had a lot of rudy friends back in the day and used to go to a lot of mixed genre clubs - where they would play punk, goth, post-punk, mod and ska and we'd all be dressed up in our sub-culture and hang out together. It was a great time for music. Terry Hall was so amazing and I loved the stuff he did later on with artists like Massive Attack and Tricky. He will be missed. Our collective message to that Rudy is that he was loved and respected.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it!

[@w-hisky]

Thank you for this music lesson! 😎👍

[@jazzingforbluejean]

My absolute favorite time in music history. I was gutted about Terry’s death. Thank you for the heartfelt video. All these seminal songs are the soundtrack of my life. Love this♥️!

[@VictorRochaGaming]

Born and raised in So Cal. The English ska bands hit us like a ton of bricks. I gotta add Steel Pulse in there too. True Democracy in '82 was the butter frosting on top of the cake. Great era for music.

[@gregorybennett2109]

Yes! Steel Pulse was grest

[@richfish101]

Good man, about time we had a 2Tone episode.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@richfish101]

@@Producelikeapro great video, but I’m wondering who Clive Longer is 😉 and guitarist John Bradbury?? 😂

[@cejay67]

Amazing video. I was born 67 and this period was huge. I live in Australia now and one of my close friends here is also from the UK, born same year. When Terry died we spent a good hour just messaging each other in tears. No one here would know or understand just how important that time and period was, the social upheaval, race riots and general despair that filled the air. To hear you talk at the end brought more tears to me. Thank you so much for being so passionate and for expressing so well what I cannot.

[@SkaTuneNetwork]

Phenomenal video. Thank you for digging into this!

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much

[@peterhansen5804]

That light is still shining... and may it soon brighten - :-)

[@studiosouthturn]

When I was in my early teens I was introduced to MADNESS. That blew me away. We had a couple of bands here in Sweden too, with huge influences from british ska. Dag Vag is one of them. It was a couple of years later I discovered Specials, Clash and others. Thank you for yet another awesome video. One Love!

[@imaxeman69]

I love your passion about this. An excellent video about an underappreciated genre(s)

[@MidnightBlueMovies]

I'm about 5 or 6 years older than you Warren. This episode really resonates with me. Growing up in the UK in that explosion of music in the 70's was amazing. From Slade to Ska all brilliant. There's a band I've never heard you mention. Slade, back in 73 were huge in the UK Cum on Feel the Noize. Squeeze Me, Please Me and the Christmas song of course. Happy days. 1976 the best summer ever. 🤩

[@willb1157]

Slade...the Sweet....but yeah....SLADE. 😍

[@stevenbrill9066]

HI Warren Although Bad Manners Weren't a part of the Two Tone scene They were a very successful band in their own Right They spent 111 weeks in the singles chart between 1980 1983 And were hugely popular on Tiswas They were a part of my childhood along with Madness Too young to understand the specials I was 5 in 1980

[@skadforlife3817]

Buster Bloodvessel showman, gentleman and legend ✊🏼♥️🕴 the undersea adventures of ivor the engine is one of my all time favourite skanking ska songs 🕴🕴 pick it up!

[@michaelmarshall9132]

I saw bad manners just before Christmas in Nottingham. They were fantastic

[@ケイリakaケモイ]

This video is fantastic, it's refreshing to hear someone do a deep analysis of what defined two-tone ska and its influences (especially how the basslines derive more from reggae than they do 60s ska!) I love it.

[@Lefteye1239]

Awwwww loved this … and you said it with passion and truth .. as a 55 yr old Cov kid i was there and it was such an exciting time .. and so was seeing them for the first time that was the best gig ever waited over thirty years to see them at it was AMAZING RIP Terry Hill 🙏🏾 from a old coventry Rude Girl

[@tobydavies6366]

As ever,very informative and enjoyable.Although Concrete Jungle does mention being chased by NF,guitarist Roddy Radiation wrote it about,I believe,his experience of attracting hostile attention through his Punk attire.

[@asteroidmrecords]

Ayyy we've been waiting for ska to get some love! We're gonna have to go with the makers of that East Side Beat, The Toasters!

[@gearoidgrace6962]

20:03 Just brought me right back to my youth, in 1979 I was always listening to my brothers reggae tunes and as an eight year old 2Tone was something we could call our own. Couldn’t get my head shaved at the local barbers because the barber feared the wrath of my mother 😂 so had to walk a couple of miles into Dublin city to get it done and the shoes, exactly the same story except at Christmas in 1981 I got fake docs because they were much cheaper. It was difficult to get good ska music here but eventually after saving money from a paper round in 1983 I was invited to go on a short holiday to England with an aunt. While there I wondered around on my own one day collecting great vinyls from all of the bands. Love the channel, great videos 👍🏻 RIP Terry ❤

[@jimbofet]

As an American, Ska was one of those things that showed the abject foolishness of racism. I watched many in my peer group grow in appreciation for other cultures and perspectives and become better humans. Music continues to be one of the best tools for de-programming racists.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed, music has the innate ability to bring people together! Truly amazing

[@gregdicrosta]

Love the personal story at the end! I was in a band at the leading-edge of the 3rd wave of ska, maybe in '92 or '93. We got to open/support for first wave bands like The Skatalites and Desmond Dekker, and 2nd wave groups like The Selector and The Toasters. Now I'm getting to work with some of these legends like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Less Than Jake!

[@JimmyBackbeat]

Tell me the name of your band... Did you listen to Guilty till proven innocent by the Specials? Christ, I'm usually not a 3rd wave guy but It's You, that's just a masterpiece....

[@gregdicrosta]

@@JimmyBackbeat Hey Jimmy- We were mostly a regional CT band. No one has ever heard of us!! 😄

[@mypl510]

I went from trying to grow my hair long to getting a Crew Cut, Flat Top, while I was in High School. Man, my friends teased me to no end, until they heard SKA and finally got it. It was such a great time, and it felt great to have our moment in music. Miss those days. RIP Terry Hall, and thanks for the music!

[@GasPipeJimmy]

Madness maybe The [English] Beat

[@taxus750]

Thank you Warren: not just for honouring Terry Hall but also highlighting Two-Tone and ska. When the Pistols' "Never mind the Bollocks" came out I was 16; when Two-Tone happened I was 19. I came from what you might call a sheltered background and the advent of both punk and Two-Tone (not to mention New Wave) really did open my mind. Of all the music from the late 70s, Two-tone/ ska is still my favourite.

[@Broken-Silencer]

So glad you brought this up. I'm gutted like so many people about Terry Hall's passing. I'm also so glad that he lived.

[@Vpmatt]

“Jesus boots” 🤣 That must have hurt at the time but it’s bloody funny now 🤣. Particularly loved the anecdotes and thoughts at the end. That’s the reason this music will live forever. Was thinking about XTC for example when you said post punk and then you mentioned them. I’d rather listen to “No Thugs in our House” a million times than the shite in the charts today. This music (all of the genres you mentioned) will live forever. Including the music of Terry Hall. RIP mate. What a musician, songwriter and most of all, gentleman.

[@paulwilliams3264]

This bloke is absolutely spot on. This top class music will never be repeated. The music of today is not a patch on the music back then... That's why my jukebox is full of SKA 2TONE!! R. I. P. Terry❤.

[@Producelikeapro]

Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it

[@dwtn81]

When The Specials appeared on Saturday Night Live is when I became a fan. Rest Easy, Mr. Hall

[@Producelikeapro]

Absolutely! I'm looking that up now!

[@gregorybennett2109]

I was so thrilled when I saw this on SNL live! My parents were amused at my excitement

[@michaelburggraf2822]

Those were the lead years in Germany because of the fear of terror attacks by the Red Army Fraction and heavy countermeasures by the state. Of course the other big issues were the cold war and nuclear energy. The 70ties seemed to drag me down constantly. Punk didn't really appeal to me. But then came The Specials and Madness and they blew me away. Admittedly I became aware of many other styles of music too suddenly - like The Police, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Boomtown Rats, Lynton Kwesi Johnson, Queen. Being interested in politics and history as much as in music that time had a massive influence on me. I'm deeply grateful for your video! Thank you so much for that.

[@Producelikeapro]

Such an amazing musical time! We were very blessed to grown up during that time, gives us a real perspective

[@BassStevie]

Really enjoyed this. Recently joined a Ska / 2-tone band (I play bass) and have been slowly learning the history.

[@glenjohnson4239]

going to school in non frank wright loafers.....but polished cheap loafers.....memories!. luckily i've toured all my life in a punk band....but still get a warm homely feeling when i see someone at a gig with a trilby!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Glen for sharing that! Very cool

[@larskistudio]

Wow! Just amazing. Thanks so much for this video. It brings back a lot of wonderful memories. I've spent my teenage years completely captivated by the Two-Tone/Ska, Rude Boy music back in the 80s. I still got loads of albums, posters, magazine cuttings, badges etc. This genre of music made me who I am today. To be honest I never get tired of listening to ska and reggae. Sadly, we recently lost the vocalist from the Specials, Terry Hall, obviously, one of my idols. Thank you once again and happy new year.

[@EdEditz]

Ghost Town was actually the first single I ever bought. Music really had something to say back then. It wasn't just entertainment, it was part of your way of live, your 'Weltanschauung'. Everyone was in sort of a tribe back then and you dressed accordingly which made for great people watching when you were in town. I miss those times especially when I listen to music that's popular now. I get the idea that the generation that are teens now don't experience music the same way we did back then. I feel blessed to have been young at that time. Great memories to look back on. :)

[@trevornokesmusicltd5357]

Warren, Excellent content as usual. I have passed on your Kind works for Terry to my wife to pass on to the Family (She is his Cousin). I Loved the 70's growing up in Birmingham, Hard but Good Times. All the best Warren. Trev.

[@DavidJohnson-de6us]

I actually found your personal remembrances at the end of this video interesting. As you say that period from the late 1970s to the early 1980s was so varied compared to now. Not only were Gen Xs impressed but also Boomers like me.

[@Producelikeapro]

That’s wonderful to hear! Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@willblakely254]

When I was 13, I spent part of summer working on the staff of a camp. My tent mate had a cassette. Side one was “The Clash” by The Clash, side two was “Absolutely” by Madness Changed my life 😊

[@DjMicr0dot]

How many pick-it-up boys does it take to screw a lightbulb…? 🚬😤 one to hold the ladder, one to climb up, & when the third drops it, all three go …. pick it up pick it up pick it up “BOi”

[@DjMicr0dot]

Fuckin love Desmond decker! The Israelites baby! It took me soO long to learn that upstroke…it’s comparable to learning Mac after a lifetime of windows or learning sax after forever only playing a kazoo….that and I credit my vocal style to barrington levy

[@FreihEitner]

Whether you call it ska or two-tone or whatever, I absolutely love The Specials' "Ghost Town" and several of Mandess' tracks ("One Step Beyond", "Our House", "Shut Up", "House of Fun", "Night Boat to Cairo"). But yeah, the greatest thing about the late 70s/early 80s was the wide range of music styles which became popular, and I definitely got hooked on new wave.

[@petehurd5301]

Ghost Town, such a huge record in my life. My doorway to so much... RIP Terry Hall.

[@gizmogearloose3391]

This episode, and Warren's end comments pretty much encapsulate the other part of my musical childhood. When I wasn't listening to Queen, Cheap trick, Crystal Gayle, or Rod Stewart, I was learning rhythm guitar from Lynval Goulding from The Specials, Dave Wakeling from the Beat, and Neol Davies from The Selecter....Many thankd for posting this, and a prayer for Specials front-man Terry Hall...Big Up!

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Can't believe you didn't mention The Beat's album I Just Can't Stop It EVERY CUT a jewel. PLAY IT COMPLETE AND LOUD!

[@johnsmithers5044]

I only spent a few years in the UK and was a teenager at the time.Those years were 1979-1982......god,was I lucky.

[@stuartbrown3008]

What a passionate end! I remember some mates singing Baggy Trousers when I was in my last year at junior school. Hooked at that point. Just so much fun. The 80’s went bonkers. Stay press, grandad collars and Y cardigans…..all from the market! Remember the impact of Frankie goes to Hollywood too. Listen to it now, pure classic with a killer bass Gen x…..hard as nails and knows hue to party. Xx

[@krisscanlon4051]

With Terry Hall passing I'm sure your English youth is showing. My condolences to all...Hall's voice was influential later for Brit vocalists in more tech or jangly shoe gazing music...his look and stance was extremely influential. He seemed rock roll cool without trying.

[@debisinclair3586]

Wow...I enjoyed this 100% Absolute facts and brilliant memories. In the 80's my friends all liked Simon Le bon and Tony Hadley etc...I liked Terry Hall and all my friends laughed...I didn't care. I wasn't a sheep and never have been. I wonder if they're wondering now or realising now that Terry Halls music and lyrics was and is far superior ..Perhaps they have now walked along a lonely Street or realised that they're working for the rat race...RIP Terry Hall...broke my heart when I heard the news.. Your music will most definitely live on forever. If you ever think of me I'll be thinking of you ❤️

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

I remember some of it, although I did not live there it was awesome music. Good history lesson.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for the fear comment!

[@familycorvette]

Don Letts's BBC documentary "The Story of Skinhead" covers the subculture that spawned this music and is not to be missed.

[@johntbd]

I did my first of I hope many Radio Programming shows last night. I played songs for three hours. The Specials Ghost Town was part of the mix. With a RIP message also. Thank You for this one. The song I played was from This Is Two Tone.

[@lornawillockify]

Grew up near Cov. The specials felt like our mates as kids. The lads will always be my hero's. Still in me Harrington at 47 😎

[@darkdeity2012]

Ghost Town has been, since its release, one of those songs that perfectly encapsulates the experience of living in Britain - the run down areas where the big money never gets spent - and it's remained brilliant and relevant ever since and has never sounded dated. Two Tone, Ska and Punk have never been my main sources of musical preference, but I've loved that song since I was a kid and still play it regularly. It's amazing.

[@Bikemaddad]

Great video man. Incredible music and bands in there. I really enjoy your content. Thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@peterhughes8823]

You don't come across as a lad who came from a multicultural working class family, brought up with 2 tone and greensleeves

[@growlerthe2nd712]

I was 12 when the Specials split up, I was gutted and for weeks on end I kept thinking WHY, it just didn’t make any sense.

[@scottkaye7932]

I've been into Ska since High School days ,late 70s. I still love it and always will. Thanks for an excellent view.

[@joolz666]

As someone a couple of years younger than Warren, I can't really add anything more to what he said about ska/Two Tone. Everyone at school, and I mean everyone, loved all the bands like the Specials, the Selecter, the Beat, and especially Madness. I still think for my generation in the UK, Two Tone taught us more about tolerance and (anti-) racism than any government directive or scheme could ever have done. Oh, and as for the power cuts in the 1970s...in the north of England: Wednesday nights, half way through 'The Muppet Show', just before 'Coronation Street'. 🙂

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

What with everything that has been going on in the UK over the last six years, 2-Tone and Ska needs to be back in the charts for social cohesion and to spread the word of peace, love and unity.

[@ottodidakt3069]

3 seconds of The Gangster and my day is already made. This was an honest well done vid, thanx for that and RIP Terry Hall !

[@clydekimsey7503]

Madness was my favorite of this genre since they were the most melodic. Afterwards, I got into original ska from the 60s

[@kennethgreen2829]

Like you Warren 2 Tone was part of my youth and, certainly in the UK, it's importance as a label can not be over stated. Let's not forget other 2 Tone artists like The Beat, The Bodysnatchers and The Apollinaires. This is a wonderful and inciteful video and thank you for making it. RIP Terry Hall.

[@peakAV]

Strange no mention of English Beat, they were pretty big.

[@Producelikeapro]

We did mention The Beat, it’s was only in the US they were called the ‘English’ Beat

[@lewsdrumz7928]

Brilliant Video Warren! I'm 23 and love Ska so much I made a video like this on KZbin for University last term. This is definitely how I should have made mine. Brilliant work.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much

[@amarnaitaissa5290]

Merci pour ce document qui brièvement montre cette cette période magique. Personnellement en France🇨🇵 à Paris j ai entendu le 1ere fois en début 79 le mot ska, que j écrivais sqa car l animateur n avait pas donné l écriture du mot. J ai rapidement acheté les 3 black and White albums, 1st The Selecter, the Specials and Madness. J ai été touché par la musique et les paroles immédiatement. Je devenais moi aussi un rude boy. Quelques mois après, un ami me parlait d'un 4e groupe...the Beat. Ce fut un autre choc et ce groupe devint mon favori. J ai fait ,par la suite des émissions de radios libres sur le ska, et j ai joué dans un groupe de ska 80' s francais "les Frelons." J ai maintenant 60 ans et la joie que tu communiques à la fin de ton documentaire, je l' ai toujours moi aussi. Mille fois merci pour ces commentaires. Je finirai en faisant un hommage aux disparus. Terry ,il y a quelques jours, Winston des Bad Manners il y a peu si proches des 2 Tone, Ranking Roger et Saxa de the Beat et Brad et Rico des Specials. Love and unity as said Roger.

[@thecocktailian2091]

It saddens me that 95% of these comments are from fellahs. All the shows I went to there were rude girls everywhere. Where did they go?

[@groovedodger]

R.I.P Terry Hall he came to one of our gigs once when we played in Coventry we were supporting Carbon Silicon (Mick Jones Tony James etc.) he was very friendly and down to earth.

[@xmarioxde]

Thanks for this video. I grew up a bit later to californian ska and punk also known as the third wave. Quickly got to know about british ska. Also formed a skapunk band with my mates from Schokolade in 1996. And what do you know? We are still together making people dance to this day. Ska is not dead.

[@jedidrummerjake]

Please do an episode of 3rd wave Ska! Fishbone is fantastic!

[@bigred4592]

I was lucky enough to see The Specials about a year beforeTerry passed away....one of my all time favorites!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! That’s amazing

[@ericgiova1663]

Excellent, I'm a bit older than you, I was 17 at the time. How do you separate music and society? Your description of the whole context of the time, united working class, absence of racism, common front in front of society, is absolutely incredible. Great changes in music, but also in society. (I learned to play bass by listening to "The Specials"! And other bands, let's be honest... This era was so dense!)

[@HitTheRoadMusicStudio]

I ABSOLUTELY Love Two-Tone Ska, thank you Warren for this wonderful wonderful episode!!!

[@erict3796]

Imagine .. A young French guy from 1964 coming since 76 for pen friend exchange discovering that in Norwich ....... Blown away

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@millermusicnsound]

Aw absolutely loved this! I knew a lot about two tone already as it was the subject of my dissertation at uni! Well the evolution of ska from first to third wave but the main focus of it was on the two tone era as there was so much to discuss. Anyhoo this was brilliant and as you said what a time for music! All these bands had the biggest influence on one of my favourite bands of all time also No Doubt, that’s how my love for this music started. Just phenomenal 🖤🤍