@POWERPLANTRECORDS | PowerPlantRecords.com | Leave a positive Google review!
Title: The English Beat - Special Beat Service
Year/Genre/Sub-Genre/City: 1982, Ska, 2 Tone, Birmingham, England 5/26
Matrix #: SP-70032
Condition: VG+ (VZ) | Members: Dave W (56' - Alive), Ranking R (63' - 19'), Andy C (56' - Alive), David S (60' - Alive), Everett M (51' - 21'), Saxa M (30' - 17')
Cultural Facts:
-
Personal Struggle: Ranking R was later diagnosed with lung cancer and brain tumors, but kept working on music before his 2019 death.
-
Political Science: The Beat’s mixed-race lineup made them part of Britain’s 2 Tone response to racism, unemployment, and Thatcher-era social pressure.
-
Band Drama: After this album, the group split into General Public and Fine Young Cannibals, turning one band into two very different 1980s careers.
