The Specials On TV

What is the relationship between the band/artist and TV?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007

The Specials had a short, but very important, period of success in the late 70's and early 80's. They were part of an underground 'new wave ska' scene that sprung up around Coventry and Birmingham. The music drew heavily on the Jamaican music scene. There songs highlighted many political issues that were emerging around unemployment, housing and health problem that had also manifested in some racial tension. The Specials and other ska bands were an excellent antidote to fascism and the National front as they confronted racism. They were part of a much boarder musical movement to unite youth cultures across race lines and challenge the far right.

Their appearances on TV can be seen as crossover into the mainstream music scene. However some of the content of there songs were seen as to political for prime time TV and only appeared on later night shows like 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' .

Lead singers Terry Hall, along with Neville Staples and Lynval Golding had six top 20 hits on the earl 80’s pop scene with ‘Fun boy three’ and then a solo career. You can see how his appearance on ‘Later with Jules Holland’ recognises his contribution and helped continue his stardom with a maturing audience.

posted by Long Road @ 2:11 AM, ,