Just a big shout out to my favorite 2 Tone source, 2 Tone - Before, During & After. If you don’t have this book by Lee Morris, or his fanzine, do yourself a favor now. This guy is a 2 Tone expert more than anyone else I’ve ever read by a mile.
🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤
2tonefanzine.bigcartel.com
This article in The Star from Sept. 1964 features Lloyd Knibb, a young 33-year-old master who was ranked the top ska drummer in Jamaica. Here he tells how he helped to develop the ska beat. He told me all about it too, which I wrote about in my book Ska: An Oral History at skabook.com.
#ska #jamaica
Hard to believe that five years ago, on May 5, 2020, we lost the legendary Millie Small. Read her story as she told it to me here: skabook.com/songbirds/
#SkaMusic #MillieSmall #jamaica #MyBoyLollipop
On May 4th, 2004, Clement “Coxsone” Seymour Dodd died at the age of 72. A few years ago Tony Sarabia recorded this segment about Coxsone for WBEZ, the NPR station in Chicago. Celebrate the life of Coxsone Dodd, and celebrate public media by fighting back here: protectmypublicmedia.org/rsc-emails/
Happy May Day, and Happy Birthday to Alpha Boys School! Alpha was officially founded on this day in 1890. Read all about this legendary institution in my book on Alpha, available here: skabook.com/alpha-boys-s...
#ska #reggae #alphaboysschool #jamaica #kingston
Cedric Im Brooks was born on April 27 1943 and attended Alpha Boys School. Later in life he performed with the reformed Skatalites and was a founding member of the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari and Light of Saba. Legend.
www.alphaboysschoolradio.com
#reggae #ska #jamaica
If you ever find yourself anywhere near Coventry, the 2 Tone Village is a must see. Everyone there does this out of deep love for the music and to make sure Coventry’s history remembers the impact of ska. The memorabilia is incredible and they have shops, restaurants, and live events.
#2Tone #ska
I knew I’d miss a few! Thanks Tim!!
Get your copy now! @someskaband.bsky.social
On April 24, 1954, Winston Churchill was knighted, thus becoming Sir Winston Churchill. Commemorate the occasion by listening to the work of some real royalty—Duke Reid, Sir Coxsone Dodd, Prince Buster, Lord Creator, and King Edwards.
#ska #skamusic #reggae #reggaemusic #jamaica
This photo of Michael Manley, Bob Marley, & Edward Seaga was taken on April 22 1978 during the One Love Peace Concert, the first show upon returning from London after being shot. The photo was taken by Howard Moo Young. Read more here: emc.edu.jm/tiac/1131098...
#reggae #BobMarley #jamaica #onelove
Just saw the This Is New Tone @badtimerecords.bsky.social documentary screened by @abbeyproductions.bsky.social at the Pop Culture Association conference in New Orleans! So many familiar faces and so much fun! #ska @catbiteband.bsky.social @badoperation.bsky.social @skatunenetwork.bsky.social
Jamaican ska is alive and well! Grab this on Bandcamp!
#ska #skatalites #tipatop #jamaica
60 years ago, this ad appeared in the Jamaica Gleaner. Lynn Taitt is a legendary rocksteady guitarist and has been credited with crafted the first rocksteady bassline on the song "Take It Easy" by vocalist Hopeton Lewis.
#ska #reggae #reggaemusic #skamusic #rocksteady #jamaica
That is GORGEOUS!
On April 14, 1984, the Dutch pop-ska band Doe Maar played their farewell concert in Den Bosch, Netherlands. They were very popular in the Netherlands and have been called the Dutch Beatles. Check out their sound and you can definitely hear the early 80s ska revival!
#doemaar #ska #skapunk #2tone
Yep, they go for quite a bit these days!
It was on April 13, 1973 that one of the most iconic and powerful albums of all time was released--Catch A Fire by The Wailers. I've only seen one in the flesh once at a museum. Anyone own this baby?
#BobMarley #reggae #catchafire #islandrecords #chrisblackwell #jamaica
Steal away, my friend!
yes indeedy!
Dying!!
Hilarious!!!
Herbie Hancock was born on April 12 1940. His song “Watermelon Man” became a popular hit by Mongo Santamaria and was also recorded by Baba Brooks as well as Byron Lee. Have a listen and tip your hat to Herbie Hancock for penning this crucial tune!
#ska #jazz #herbiehancock #mongosantamaria #jamaica
The first space shuttle was launched on April 11 1981. Remember the Columbia with Tommy McCook's Rocket Ship featuring toaster Sir Lord Comic who likely patterned these lyrics after American DJ Douglas “Jocko” Henderson's vocalizations on his radio show, Rocket Ship.
#ska #jamaica #spaceshuttle
On April 10, 2014 Cat Stevens was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. What does he have to do with ska? In 1973 Stevens recorded his album Foreigner in Jamaica at Dynamic Sounds, the studio owned by Byron Lee who popularized ska with his Dragonaires.
#ska #jamaica #catstevens #byronlee
On April 9, 2002, the funeral for The Queen Mother was held at Westminster Abbey. Did you know the Queen Mother loved ska? The Jamaica Gleaner, Feb. 25 1965 says she attended a ska performance, "her eyes lighting up as she waved her hand in demonstration." As close to skanking as we’ll get!
#ska
It’s kind of awesome, isn’t it?!
On April 8 2013, we lost Annette Funicello, one of the Mousketeers. She also taught Bob Hope how to dance the Jamaica Ska in 1964: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCLY...
& she danced and sang Jamaica Ska in the 1980s Back to the Beach with Fishbone:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_7...
#AnnetteFunicello #ska
Exciting! Getting ready to give my talk: Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl: (Re)constructing Jamaica Music History with Women's Stories.
Jim and Greg sit down with author Heather Augustyn (@skabook.bsky.social) to dive into the role of women in the British ska scene. Heather highlights five incredible female artists who made their mark in the scene, overcoming significant challenges: bit.ly/4l9Jrzh
