Why I like The Specials

Reggae doesn't do anything for me but Ska definitely does. It gets me up on my feet. It's so damned infectious. And if it hadn't been for The Specials the UK probably wouldn't know what it does about Ska. Note the capitals.

I remember hearing Gangsters for the first time and thinking "What's this? Reggae that I like?" and all those kids at school who liked raggae turned their noses up at The Specials. (Working for the) Rat Race came out in the middle of my A level courses and Ghost town was a hit during inner city riots. The Specials had an infectious beat and prescient timing. I have neither of those and went to Coventry Poly in 1982 when everything Two Tone had died down. (Although I did spot a subway where Banalarama (mis-spelling intentional) sang with The Fun Boy Three.)

When the word went round that The Specials were playing in Plymouth I got my ticket that day. This was potentially a once in a lifetime's experience.

There'd been a lot of talk about The Specials reforming and in the end some of the old tensions did it for Jerry Dammers and he left the party before it began. The night they palyed at the Pavilions was Bonfire Night and there was a big free firework display on The Hoe so parking was really awkward. Those of us going to the gig prayed for rain and low skies to dissuade people from coming into town but the weather was kind.

However, everyone I saw seemed to be going to the gig. Many, many people had revived the old Two Tone look and so many skinheads had come out of the wordwork I wondered where they'd been all these years. But there was no sense of intimidation - everyone was there to have a good time.

A rumour was going round before the gig, though, that Terry Hall might not appear. He never looked like he enjoyed himself much, while Neville Staples and the other were leaping around all over the place. I wondered if he was going to follow Jerray Dammers' example. The rumour grew and grew. Rich, who always seems to know the latest about any band you care to mention, reckoned Terry'd picked up some food poisoning following a visit to a Chinese restaurant.

We were all mortified to hear this, for if The Specials had to pull out of tonight's performance could they stay together long enough to make another visit later?

"Yeah," said an uncharcateristically solemn Rich, "it's a case of too much Foo Yung."

Perhaps because of this kind of behaviour, my surprisingly large gang of friends fragmented after that. Apart from Steve and Carolyn I didn't see any of them once we were in the hall. We all knew we were in there somewhere, though.

I liked the support band, Pama International, for they stayed on just the right side of the reggae/ska line for me. The only band to have persuaded me to like reggae is The Dead 60s with their song "You're not the law". Unfortunately, they've disbanded so I won't see them play live.

The crowd were amazingly enthusiastically. They'd been looking forward to this moment for years and it showed. They gradually became noisier and more and more restless but bonhomie never went away.

All ages seemed to be there, with at least three generations in some family groups. And it struck me that the two tone look really is a great look. Dress up and don't dress down if you're having a good time

And then at last The Specials were on stage and they were brilliant. Everyone in my party enjoyed them (wherever they were) and the band didn't look like they'd been away.

It was terribly hot, though, and the bouncers were soon passing water back from the front of the stage. I was towards the back of the mosh pit but various friends could only have been a few rows in front for they felt the benefit of the free water, even if it was plashed up in the air.

And then it was all over too soon. Tania's shoes were lost and found and Hilary's good time gigging cardigan was presumed lost in action until it turned up about fifty metres away from where she'd been moshing. The crowd quickly went outside for a breath of air and we never saw Dave who was supposed to be getting a lift home with us.

Madness don't have the same appeal for me although if they draw the same crowd (and I'm sure they will) their forthcoming gig in Plymouth would be fun. I am almost tempted to relive the atmosphere.

And wonder of wonders - Terry Hall smiled. He kept it in until the end but he couldn't keep it in completely. I think that must have set the seal on everyone's night.

Unless it was wind from that Chinese.

Somehow, the only song missing was from the set was One step beyond - but that would have been Madness.