The Specials
The Specials
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
Jun 1979 - Aug 1979
Materials
Vinyl record with paper labels
Measurements
300 mm (Dia)
Place of origin
London
Collection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 672660.1
Summary
A vinyl record, the self titled album by The Specials. The record contains fourteen songs with seven songs on each side. There is a circular black and white paper label in the centre of each side of the record. These features a 2 Tone Records logo at the top and to the left, with the song titles on each side of the record printed in white letters at the bottom. The song writing credits for each song are printed in brackets next to each title. The catalogue number of the record (CDL TT 5001) is printed to the right of centre on each label. The Specials were an English ska band formed in Coventry in 1977 whose songs often contained political and social themes. They also promoted causes such as anti racism and multiculturism and were one of the first bands of the mid 1970’s to feature both black and white members. The classic line up of the band who performed on this album comprised of: Jerry Dammers, Terry Hall, Neville Staple, Lynval Golding, John Bradbury, Horace Panter and Roddy Byers This line up was active until 1981 but the band subsequently continued to intermittently perform and record using various different line ups and occasional variations in the band name (e.g. The Specials AKA) until the death of Terry Hall in 2022. This self titled record was the debut album by the band. It was recorded at the TW Studios in Fulham, London and was produced by Elvis Costello. The record was released on the bands own 2 Tone Records label.
Provenance
Vinyl record recorded by The Specials in summer 1979. Released on the 2 Tone Records label on 19th October 1979. Purchased by the National Trust Museum of Childhood via Discogs on 4th March 2020 as part of the Collecting Cultures Exploring Childhoods project.
Makers and roles
The Specials, band 2 Tone Records, record label