When I was a kid my older brother introduced me to reggae and ska through Bob Marley, UB40 and The 2 Tone label specifically The Specials and Madness. I remember the long hot summer that Ghost Town was number 1 . We went to a vintage car and traction engine rally with our parents.We stayed in the caravan like many other families and on the Saturday night their was a huge party in marquee my brother and I were much too young to go to the party but sneaked out of the caravan window. I remember dancing to Ghost Town in the shadows outside the marquee between the guy ropes. They played Ghost town over and over again.
Times moved on, The Specials split up, my brother started listening to lighter sounds of Bananarama and Madonna and I explored heavier punk , metal and goth sounds perhaps more rebellious but certainly less musical.
During the rave days I always felt the emerging UK Jungle sound had at least some roots in the sounds of Two Tone.
Years later when I met the girl that is now my wife we went to the Rise Against Racism festival. A friend advised me to check out The Dub Pistols who proceeded to bring the house down with a blinding set as they invited members of the Specials including Terry Hall to join them on stage to perform a few of the classics.
The music always evoked so many thoughts and feelings it was a privilege to hear it live.
#RIP Terry Hall
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