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Public recordCompiled from 16 credited sources · Updated Oct 8, 2026

The Specials

Reggae & ska band from Neenah, WI · formed 1977

Listen on BandcampFollow on Instagram
The Specials photo
Photo: Bandcamp
Shows on record
25
Rooms played
25
Cities
24
Releases
36
Last show
Jun 3, 2022Bedford Park

About

The Specials is a band from Neenah, WI, formed in 1977, tagged new wave, punk, reggae by its sources. Shows on record run from 1981 to 2022, across 25 rooms in 24 cities.

The summary is assembled from the record fields and shows on this page; each fact listed names its source. See Sources & corrections for what each source supplied.

Shows

25 on record · Songkick, setlist.fm
No upcoming shows on record.Know of one? Tell us

Shows per year

  1. 19811 show
  2. 19941 show
  3. 19984 shows
  4. 201317 shows
  5. 20211 show
  6. 20221 show
Show history
DateVenue
Jun 3, 2022Bedford Park · BedfordHeadlinerwith Tribes
Aug 29, 2021The Piece Hall · HalifaxHeadlinerwith The Rifles, The Skints, OFFWORLD, +1
Jul 20, 2013The Stone Pony · Asbury ParkHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Jul 17, 2013Pier 26, Hudson River Park · New York (NYC)Headlinerwith Little Hurricane
Jul 16, 2013Ives Concert Park · DanburyHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Jul 13, 2013Theatre of Living Arts · PhiladelphiaHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Jul 12, 2013The Fillmore Silver Spring · Silver SpringHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Jul 11, 2013House of Blues - Boston · BostonHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Jul 9, 2013Kool Haus · TorontoHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Jul 7, 2013MTELUS · MontrealHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 30, 2013Vogue Theatre · VancouverHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 29, 2013Commodore Ballroom · VancouverHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 27, 2013Showbox SoDo · SeattleHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 26, 2013Roseland Theater · PortlandHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 23, 2013The Warfield · San FranciscoHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 22, 2013Majestic Ventura Theater · VenturaHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 20, 2013Fox Theater · PomonaHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 19, 2013House of Blues - San Diego · San DiegoHeadlinerwith Little Hurricane
Mar 18, 2013The Novo · Los Angeles (LA)Headlinerwith Little Hurricane
Aug 9, 1998Southpark Meadows · AustinSupportwith Deftones, Bad Religion, Rancid, +5
Jul 28, 1998LaSalle Park · BuffaloSupportwith NOFX, Rancid, Bad Religion, +14
May 15, 1998Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater · Virginia BeachSupportwith Everclear, Fuel, Fastball, +6
Mar 28, 1998Snoqualmie Pass · Snoqualmie PassHeadliner
Dec 6, 1994The Wave, UWO · LondonHeadlinerwith One
Aug 23, 1981The Grove · OakvilleSupportwith The Police, The Go-Go's, Iggy Pop, +5

Where they play

25 rooms in 24 cities

Rooms played most

Cities played

  • Vancouver2 shows
  • Asbury Park1 show
  • Austin1 show
  • Bedford1 show
  • Boston1 show

and 19 other cities

Live history

25 shows on record
Shows counted
25
First on record
Aug 1981
Latest on record
Jun 2022

Shows per year

  1. 19811
  2. 19941
  3. 19984
  4. 201317
  5. 20211
  6. 20221

Top rooms

  • Bedford Park, Bedford · 1
  • The Piece Hall, Halifax · 1
  • The Stone Pony, Asbury Park · 1
  • Pier 26, Hudson River Park, New York (NYC) · 1
  • Ives Concert Park, Danbury · 1

Top cities

  • Vancouver, BC · 2
  • Portland, OR · 1
  • Oakville, ON · 1
  • San Diego, CA · 1
  • Bedford · 1

Often on the bill with: Little Hurricane, Bad Religion, CIV, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Deftones, Everclear, FLING, Fastball

Counted from the shows BandSlate holds; missing shows are not counted.

Releases

36 releases, 1979–2026

  • Live From The Cathedral

    2026

  • The Specials cover

    The Specials

    Oct 18, 2025 · Album · 14 tracks

  • Special Spot cover

    Special Spot

    Oct 17, 2025 · Track · 1 track

  • We Sell Hope

    2024

  • Ghost Town (Re-Recorded - Sped Up)

    2023

  • Friday Night, Saturday Morning / I Can't Stand It (Work In Progress Versions)

    2022

  • Protest Songs 1924-2012

    2021

  • Protest Songs 1924–2012

    2020 · Album

  • Dub Mixes Exclusive

    2020

  • Encore

    2019 · Album

  • 10 Commandments / You're Wondering Now

    2019

  • Vote For Me

    2019

  • Live At The 100 Club

    2019

  • Ghost Town

    2009 · Album

  • Ghost Town: Greatest Hits (re‐recorded versions)

    2009 · Compilation

  • The Best of The Specials

    2008 · Compilation

  • Greatest Hits

    2006 · Compilation

  • Conquering Ruler

    2001 · Album

  • King of Ska

    2000 · Album

  • Skinhead Girl

    2000 · Album

  • Stereo‐Typical: A’s, B’s & Rarities

    2000 · Compilation

  • The Very Best Of

    2000 · Compilation

  • A Special Collection

    1999 · Compilation

  • Concrete Jungle

    1998 · Compilation

  • Guilty ’Til Proved Innocent!

    1998 · Album

  • Best Of

    1996 · Compilation

  • Today’s Specials

    1996 · Album

  • Too Much Too Young

    1996 · Compilation

  • Two Tone Live. Exciting Live Performances.

    1996 · Compilation

  • King of Kings

    1993 · Album

  • BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert

    1992 · Album

  • Live at the Moonlight Club

    1992 · Album

  • The Singles Collection

    1991 · Compilation

  • In the Studio

    1984 · Album

  • More Specials

    1980 · Album

  • Specials

    1979 · Album

Discography

80 releases, 1984–2026
  • 2026Live At Paradiso, Part 1Album

    Mastered By: Jason Webster

  • 2026Live At The Whiskey USA 1980 Part 1Album

    Mastered By: Jason Webster

  • 2026Live At The Whiskey USA 1980 Part 2Album

    Mastered By: Jason Webster

  • 2026Live From the CathedralLive

    Island · 6584374 · Mastered By: Frank Arkwright; Mixed By: Cenzo Townshend; Mixed By [Assisted By With Guidance From]: Nikolaj Torp Larsen; Mixed By [Assisted By]: Camden Clarke

  • 2026The Hope & Anchor 1980Release

    Mastered By: Jason Webster

  • 2025Carnival House Tokyo Part OneAlbum
  • 2025Carnival House Tokyo Part TwoAlbum
  • 2025Look! Here!Release
  • 2025Pink Pop Festival HollandEP
  • 2025The Factory TheatreAlbum
  • 2025The King Biscuit Flower Hour D.I.R Broadcast 1980Album
  • 2025The Old Grey Whistle TestRelease
Show 68 more releases
  • 2024Colchester Institute (Rock Goes To College)Release
  • 2024We Sell HopeRelease

    Secret 7" · S756

  • 2023A Message to You Rudy (Re-Recorded, Sped Up)Single

    Cleopatra

  • 2023Follies, Belgium TV 1979Release
  • 2023Ghost Town (re‐recorded – sped up)Single

    Cleopatra

  • 2020Protest Songs 1924–2012Album

    Island · 3840705

  • 201910 Commandments / You’re Wondering NowSingle

    Island Records Group · 7730550

  • 2019EncoreAlbum

    Universal Music · 00602577210907 · Engineer: George Murphy; Engineer [Assistant]: Robert Sellens; Engineer [Assistant]: Sophie Ellis; Mastered By: Frank Arkwright

  • 2018Vote for MeSingle

    Universal Music

  • 2017Ghost Town (Bass Remix)Release

    Two-Tone Records · Remix, Arranged By, Mixed By, Mastered By: Chopstick Warrior

  • 2014Live 2014: The Tour EditionLive

    Abbey Road Studios

  • 2012More… Or Less. – The Specials LiveLive

    Chrysalis · 6210082

  • 2011(Aug 27th - Nov 3rd 2011) Große Freiheit 36 Hamburg 25.09.11Release

    Abbey Road Live Here Now

  • 2011Complete John Peel SessionsAlbum
  • 201030TH Anniversary Tour - Special EditionRelease

    Blink TV

  • 2010A Message To You (Dubstep Refix)Release
  • 200930th Anniversary Tour LiveLive

    The Sunday Times · UPSPCLS001

  • 2009BBC in Concert (15 December 1979)Live
  • 2009Ghost TownAlbum

    Chrysalis · clp 2133

  • 2009Ghost Town: Greatest Hits (re‐recorded versions)Compilation
  • 2009The Specials Featuring Amy WinehouseRelease

    2 Good Records

  • 2008The Best of The SpecialsCompilation

    Chrysalis · CHRTV 20082

  • 2006Greatest HitsCompilation

    Fantastic Price Records

  • 2006Ska's Greatest Stars Back To BackCompilation

    Big Eye Music

  • 2005Dawning Of A New EraAlbum

    Polystar · MTCD-1044

  • 2003The Best Of The SpecialsCompilation

    EMI

  • 2002Specials 3 CDCompilation

    Emi · 7243 5411890 6

  • 2001Conquering RulerAlbum

    Receiver Records · RRCD 292 Z

  • 2001The Conquering RulerAlbum

    Receiver Records Limited · RRCD 292 Z - UK · Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By [For Ro-lo Productions]: Roger Lomas

  • 2000King of SkaAlbum

    Fuel 2000 Records · FLD-1021

  • 2000Skinhead GirlAlbum

    Receiver Records · RRCD 295 Z · Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By [For Ro-lo Productions]: Roger Lomas

  • 2000Stereo-Typical (A's, B's & Rarities)Compilation

    EMI · 527 1542

  • 2000Stereo‐Typical: A’s, B’s & RaritiesCompilation

    EMI · 7243 5 27154 2 8

  • 2000The Very Best OfCompilation

    Cleopatra · CLP 0956-2

  • 1999A Special CollectionCompilation

    EMI · 724352173129

  • 1999Blue Plate SpecialsLive

    Big Ear Music · EAZ4018

  • 1999Ghost Town ‘Live’Live

    Receiver Records · RRCD 271

  • 1999Live Too Much Too YoungAlbum

    Castle Pie · PIESD 056

  • 1999The Specials And Co.Compilation

    Cult Records · CLP 0562-2

  • 1999Then And NowCompilation

    MELDAC · MECI-25125

  • 1998BBC SessionsLive

    EMI · 497 7912

  • 1998Concrete JungleCompilation

    Receiver Records · RRDCD 008

  • 1998Guilty ’Til Proved Innocent!Album

    MCA Records · MCAD-11735 · Mastered By: Gavin Lurssen; Mixed By: Stoker; Mixed By [Assistant]: Scott Gutierrez; Producer, Recorded By: Stoker

  • 1998It’s YouSingle

    MCA Records · MCA5P-4084

  • 1998The Archive SeriesCompilation

    Two-Tone Records

  • 1996A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit YouSingle

    Virgin · V25F-38551

  • 1996Best OfCompilation

    Disky · DC 870702

  • 1996GangstersLive

    Hallmark Records · 303552 · Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By: Roger Lomas

  • 1996Pressure DropSingle

    Kuff Records · KUFFD4 · Engineer, Programmed By: Tom Lowry; Mixed By: Stoker; Producer: Neville Staple; Producer: Tom Lowry

  • 1996Today’s SpecialsAlbum

    Kuff Records · 7243 8 41689 2 6

  • 1996Too Much Too YoungCompilation

    EMI Gold · CD GOLD 1022

  • 1996Two Tone Live. Exciting Live Performances.Live

    Hallmark Records · 303662

  • 1995HypocriteSingle

    Kuff Records · KUFFD3 · Producer: Neville Staple; Producer: Tom Lowry

  • 1995The Best Of Ska LiveCompilation

    Emporio · EMPRCD 579

  • 1994Princes at the PalaceLive
  • 1993King of KingsAlbum

    Trojan Records · CDTRL 324 · Producer, Engineer: Roger Lomas

  • 1992BBC Radio 1 Live in ConcertLive

    Windsong · WIN CD 030 · Producer: Jeff Griffin

  • 1992Live (Too Much Too Young)Album

    Receiver Records Limited · RRLP 161 · Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By: Roger Lomas

  • 1992Live at the Moonlight ClubLive

    Chrysalis · CHRTT 5011

  • 1992Live: Too Much Too YoungLive

    Receiver Records · RRLP 161

  • 1991Ghost Town RevisitedSingle

    Two-Tone Records · CHS TT 30

  • 1991The Singles CollectionCompilation

    Chrysalis · F2 21823 · Mastered By [Digitally Mastered By]: John McGowan

  • 1989SpecialsRelease

    Chrysalis · 081 828 3

  • 1987Ghost Town / Rat RaceSingle

    Old Gold · OG 9686

  • 1987The Peel SessionsRelease

    Strange Fruit · SFPS018 · Producer: John Sparrow

  • 1987Too Much Too Young / GangstersRelease

    Old Gold · OG 9683

  • 1984In the StudioAlbum

    Chrysalis · 7243 5 37695 0 5

  • 1984Nelson MandelaSingle

    Two-Tone Records · CHS TT 26

Compiled from MusicBrainz and Discogs. Releases not listed there are not shown.

Lineup

  • John Bradbury
  • Dick Cuthell
  • Jerry Dammers
  • Lynval Golding
  • Horace Panter
  • Roddy Radiation
  • Rico Rodriguez · additional
  • Neville Staple

Former

  • Terry Hall
  • Mark Adams

Airplay

  • KEXP airplay: 48+ plays, 2023-10-31–2026-06-08 — KEXP
  • Played on KEXP show 'Variety Mix' (Noel Brass Jr.) — KEXP
  • Played on KEXP show 'The Afternoon Show' (Larry Mizell, Jr.) — KEXP
  • Played on KEXP show 'Sonic Reducer' (Brian Foss) — KEXP

Lineup history

19 members on record
  • Adam Birchtenure unknown
  • Charlie 'H' Bembridgetenure unknown
  • Dick Cuthelltenure unknown
  • Gary Powelltenure unknown
  • Horace Pantertenure unknown
  • Jerry Dammerstenure unknown
  • John Bradburytenure unknown
  • Jonathan Readtenure unknown
  • Kenrick Rowetenure unknown
  • Lynval Goldingtenure unknown
  • Mark Adamsleft, years unknown
  • Neville Stapletenure unknown
Show 7 more members
  • Nikolaj Torp Larsentenure unknown
  • Rico Rodrigueztenure unknown
  • Roddy Byerstenure unknown
  • Roddy Radiationtenure unknown
  • Silverton Hutchinsontenure unknown
  • Steve Cradocktenure unknown
  • Terry Hall?–1981

Years come from public music databases. Where none says a member left, the end is shown as unknown; it does not mean they are still in the band.

Members also play in: Fun Boy Three (via Lynval Golding), General Public (via John Bradbury), Jerry Dammers' Spatial A.K.A. Orchestra (via Jerry Dammers), Kenneth Richards & His Harmonisers (via Rico Rodriguez), Pama International (via Horace Panter), Reco’s Rhythm Group (via Rico Rodriguez), Rico & The Rudies (via Rico Rodriguez), Roddy Radiation & the Skabilly Rebels (via Roddy Radiation) and 5 more

Shares members with: Bad Manners (via Rico Rodriguez), Jazz Jamaica (via Kenrick Rowe), Jools Holland And His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra (via Rico Rodriguez), Ocean Colour Scene (via Steve Cradock), Terry, Blair & Anouchka (via Terry Hall), The Colourfield (via Terry Hall), The Libertines (via Gary Powell), The Selecter (via John Bradbury) and 3 more

Photos, art and posters

The Specials — Photo · logo
Photo · logo — Bandcamp
The Specials — Photo
Photo — Bandcamp
The Specials — Photo · promo
Photo · promo — TheAudioDB
The Specials — Photo
Photo — TheAudioDB
The Specials — Photo
Photo — TheAudioDB
The Specials — Photo
Photo — TheAudioDB
The Specials — Photo
Photo — TheAudioDB
The Specials — Logo
Logo — TheAudioDB
The Specials — Photo
Photo — Wikidata
The Specials — The Specials
Release art · The Specials — release
The Specials — Special Spot
Release art · Special Spot — release
The Specials — Bedford Park, 2022-06-03
Poster · Bedford Park, 2022-06-03 — Songkick

Sources & corrections

Report a correctionRequest removal
What each source supplied
SourceUsed for
MusicBrainzArtist facts
The Specials on BandcampArtist facts
BandcampArtist facts, Releases, Photos
WikipediaArtist facts
The Specials on Last.fmArtist facts
The Specials on DiscogsArtist facts
The Specials on GeniusArtist facts
The Specials on TheAudioDBArtist facts
WikidataArtist facts, Photos
KEXPAirplay
SongkickShow history, Show posters
setlist.fmShow history
TheAudioDBPhotos, Logo
DiscogsCredited on the record; no item on this page cites it
GeniusCredited on the record; no item on this page cites it
Last.fmCredited on the record; no item on this page cites it

This is a partial record of publicly documented activity. Missing shows, releases or members do not mean there are none. It does not confirm availability for booking.

From Wikipedia

These facts are from the English Wikipedia article The Specials. They are shown on their own and are not merged into the record above.

Origin
Coventry, England
Years active
1977–1981, 1982–1984, 1996–2001, 2008–2022
Genres
2 tone, ska, new wave
Labels
2 Tone, Chrysalis, Virgin, Kuff, Cleopatra
Past members
Jerry Dammers, Horace Panter, Lynval Golding, Roddy Radiation, Terry Hall, Neville Staple, John Bradbury, Dick Cuthell, Rico Rodriguez, Rhoda Dakar, Stan Campbell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Revision used. Wikipedia content is available under CC BY-SA 4.0.