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