Ska'd for Life: A Personal Journey with The Specials

By Horace Panter

'Fascinating . . . a must-read' Mojo

As bass player with the Specials, in his second-hand suit and pork pie hat, Horace Panter was a member of one of the most innovative and exciting bands to come snarling out of the punk era. Founded by Jerry Damners, their fusion of punk, reggae and ska created a new musical fashion, spearheaded by their own record label Two Tone. They stood for unity and racial harmony in a polarised society. They even got British men dancing again.

In Ska'd for Life Horace takes the reader on a musical odyssey with the Specials from their early days on Coventry's punk circuit to chart storming success with singles like 'Too Much Too Young' and the eerily prescient 'Ghost Town', released as the race riots saw Toxteth and Brixton go up in flames. Written with wry humour, taking an affectionate look at a band whose sublime music remains influential today, this is a must for all Specials fans.

'I found myself laughing out loud whilst revisiting some long forgotten memories . . . It was a fantastic journey and I thank Horace for sharing it' Lynval Golding

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Jan 30, 2009
• ISBN: 9780330508216

Horace Panter

After leaving the Specials, Horace played with General Public and later with Specialbeat. Today he teaches art to children with special needs during the week, but can be found playing his bass on weekends in various pubs around Coventry.

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