The Beat (band)
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The Beat, known in the United States as The English Beat, was an essential Two Tone ska and pop music group. Formed in the English city of Birmingham in 1978, The Beat disbanded in 1983.
One of the more popular and enduring groups of a short-lived trend, The Beat released three albums: I Just Can't Stop It (1980), Wha'ppen (1981) and Special Beat Service (1982).
After the break-up of The Beat, Dave Wakeling (guitar, vocals) and Ranking Roger (vocals) went on to form General Public, while Andy Cox (guitar) and David Steele (bass guitar) formed Fine Young Cannibals with vocalist Roland Gift.
Members of the band often collaborated on stage with The Specials and performed together on tracks such as "Free Nelson Mandela". In the early 1990s, Roger joined members of The Specials to form the new band The Special Beat, which released two live albums.
Ranking Roger's son has followed in his father's footsteps and recently appeared on The Ordinary Boys single "Boys Will Be Boys".
Personnel
- Dave Blockhead
- Andy Cox
- Wesley Magoogan
- Everett Morton
- Ranking Roger
- Saxa
- David Steele
- Dave Wakeling
External links
- The Beat web site (http://www.thebeatuk.com/)de:The English Beat