Specials Reunion

[Roots]

Hope it's true and not a April Fool's joke....(doesn't seem to be, but hey..). I took this from a scooter site and confirmed on The Specials' website.


The Specials have been talking to the BBC about reforming officially, for a reunion tour.

No dates as yet, frontman Terry Hall says they need to get into the studio first:

“Well we’re still trying to put dates together, but hopefully September/ October time. We need to spend the Summer rehearsing… I think it’s taken me 30 years to realise we could do it really well.”

Terry Hall and Lynval Golding made surprise appearances at last year’s Glastonbury Festival.

The pair appeared onstage with Lily Allen to perform Gangsters, and later on a different stage, with Damon Albarn on piano and a beatboxer, performing A Message To You, Rudy.

Terry Hall says that seeing other artists on the reunion trail has been an inspiration:

“Because I saw Patti Smith do Horses, and I saw The Pixies reforming… you do it with dignity or don’t do it at all”.

Can anyone confirm????

[Skibz McCullock]

I'm not entirely sure whether it's true or not. I've always assumed there'd never be one. Even The Selecter said there'd never be one. If it happens, I'll be truly surprised.

[Roots]

After posting this I went to their site and in the forum there's talk that they are already practicing. Hope it's true and not a rumor or worse an April Fool's joke.

I would like to see them old or not...never got the chance when I was younger.

[Hugh Draper]

You might want to check out Roddy's forum: http://skabilly.proboards80.com/index.cgi

[Skibz McCullock]

I think the main question is 'Is Jerry Dammers involved'? Dammers was the heart and soul of The Specials (even after Hall and Golding left, 'In The Studio' was a fantastic album), and if he's not involved, then I probably wouldn't want to go see yet another bad attempt at reviving the band.

To be honest, I'd much rather see a Fun Boy Three reunion.

[Hugh Draper]

Yes the original 7 are involved, and just had a full rehersal in London that went well.

The fact that you would prefer a Fun Boy Three reunion is a revelation that should get you tarred and feathered on this site.

[Roots]

No tar and feathering from me...although FB3 is not my cup of tea - it's all good.

That's great news!!! To see them all on stage would will be be incredible.

[Skibz McCullock]

Well, if Dammers is involved, then it's okay. If it was just Hall and Golding playing old Specials songs, then it'd basically be on par with when Neville Staple reformed them a decade ago (who thought 'Today's Specials' was a good idea?). If you have all of the original members, at least then it's honorable.

Of course, I guess I'm being a hypocrite since I've gladly seen The Selecter, Bad Manners, and Wakeling's Beat numerous times.

And I LIKE Fun Boy Three. And The Colourfield. They had some great singles.

[Christian]

Holy shit, this is a dream come true. I never thought I would have a chance to see the legendary Specials myself. I'm so stoked right now.

[Steven Denney Shafer II]

Can anyone confirm whether or not this is real?

[Hugh Draper]

Y-E-S!!!

[Loonie]

Yes, I can confirm this is true. As to the exact date/time that is the undecided part. Hugh and I both have the same friends so our source is the same (I assume Hugh!). If you are in America/Australia or anywhere else outside of the UK I'd start saving your money as so far I don't think anything is being planned worldwide - just in London or UK.

[Steve]

yes it's real.

i spoke to Lynval this week, he plays in another band i am involved with. The last 'specials' rehearsal had all band members present! - and apparently it was great.

and even if Dammers didn't make it on this reunion, i think the fact that Terry, Lynval, Neville, Brad, Horace and Roddy who were 6/7ths of The Specials makes this a bit bigger than other reunions/incarnations that we've enjoyed in the last few years! - although i do hope Rico is involved too.

i can't wait, mate!