80s Ska Classics
80s Ska Classics
Not availableThe 2 Tone sound was developed in the late 1970's by musicians in Coventry and London who grew up hearing 1960s Jamaican music. They combined influences from Ska, Reggae and Rocksteady with elements of Punk and New Wave. For a short while in the 1980's, 2 Tone became a movement that almost changed the face of Britain and who's influence can still be felt today. Bands considered part of the genre include: The Specials, The Selecter, The Beat, Madness, Bad Manners and The Bodysnatchers.
The term was coined by The Specials' keyboardist Jerry Dammers, who created the iconic Walt Jabsco logo to represent the 2 Tone genre. Walt Jabsco was based on an album cover photo of Peter Tosh.
Most of the bands considered to be part of the 2 Tone genre were signed to 2 Tone Records at some point. Other record labels associated with the 2 Tone sound were Stiff Records and Go Feet Records. The music was especially popular among skinheads, rudies and some mod revivalists.