COVENTRY Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.
Nev and Roddy are back in town
Coventry’s award-winning 2-Tone legend, Dr Neville Staple says he plans to continue carrying The Specials’ 2-Tone flag, after the recent loss of his previous bandmate Terry Hall in December.
Terry also co-fronted the Fun Boy Three with Neville and Lynval Golding.
Neville said: “Hundreds of fans have been in touch with really kind, heartfelt words, and also to say how pleased they are that I shall carry on performing all our hits and classics, to pay homage to our legacy.
“They want the sing-alongs, they want the fashion, they want to enjoy themselves, and I love to give them it all.
“Our first show of 2023 [and since Terry’s sad passing] is a home-coming show at the Rialto Plaza, on March 18, 2023, and we can’t wait.
“It will be an emotional one, but we plan to celebrate all things 2-Tone and Coventry.
“I will have my buddy Roddy Radiation performing there too with his Skabilly Rebels.
“We have brilliant fans and I will carry on for as long as they are there with me.”
Sugary Staple (Neville’s wife and manager, and one of Coventry’s Modern Day Lady Godivas) added:
“The outpouring of love has been immense.
“Bands do their own things over the years, but you can never change how 2-Tone affected the world, and all of those who brought it to us.
“The messages of unity and tolerance in the designs and the lyrics, continue to resonate today, just as much as over 40 years ago.
“Fans of all ages come along to the shows and they don’t just sing and dance all night, they also bring the 2-Tone attitude with them.
“We love to celebrate this phenomenal sound of Coventry at all our shows across the UK and the World, and it’s awesome that our first show back, after a four month break, is right here at home!”
Stars at the 2-Tone Village
Last Sunday was a great day for visitors to the 2-Tone Village and The Coventry Music Museum.
First, Coventry City footballer Josh Eccles turned up.
The Coventry born midfielder came through the Coventry Academy from the age of seven and his visit was part of his sponsorship with the 2-Tone Village, a top guy and very unassuming.
Shortly after we had a visit from the wonderful comedian Maisie Adam.
Apart from being a gifted comedian, footballer and actress she is almost singularly responsible for representing the ‘Skinhead Girl’ look and subculture in the UK today. Supporting her ‘Skinhead Girl feather cut’ and her Fred Perry’s and DM’s, her style was more than welcome at the 2-Tone Village and the partisan crowd.
She said of her visit: ”This is an ace museum! Full of all things 2-Tone and ska, loved it – even got to sit in the car from the Ghost Town video.
“Fantastic team behind it all, thanks for having me.”
She was appearing at the Warwick Uni as part of her ‘Buzzed’ tour.
