The Beat (band)

The Beat, known in the United States as The English Beat in order to avoid confusion with Paul Collins' (of Nerves fame) band of the same name, was an essential Two Tone ska and pop music group. Formed in the English city of Birmingham in 1978, The Beat disbanded in 1983, but has reformed in the early 2000s with some of the original line-up.

Related Topics:
United States - Two Tone - Ska - Pop music - English - Birmingham - 1978 - 1983 - 2000s

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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).

Related Topics:
I Just Can't Stop It - 1980 - 1981 - 1982

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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.

Related Topics:
Dave Wakeling - Guitar - Vocals - Ranking Roger - General Public - Andy Cox - David Steele - Bass guitar - Fine Young Cannibals - Roland Gift

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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.

Related Topics:
The Specials - 1990s - The Special Beat

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Ranking Roger's son, Ranking Junior, has followed in his father's footsteps. In 2005, he appeared on The Ordinary Boys' single "Boys Will Be Boys". In 2003, The Beat's original line-up, minus Cox and Steele but with the addition of Junior, played a sold-out one-off gig at the Royal Festival Hall.

Related Topics:
Ranking Junior - The Ordinary Boys - Royal Festival Hall

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As of 2005, The Beat has reformed, counting Roger, Blockhead and Morton of the original line-up, with Ranking Junior also on vocals. The band is said to have the blessing of Cox, Steele and Saxa (of Desmond Dekker fame).

Related Topics:
As of 2005 - Desmond Dekker

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