The (English) Beat

Known as just The Beat in Britain, they took a different name in the US due to an existing band already having the name. Known for hits such as "Ranking Full Stop", "Mirror in the Bathroom", and "Save it for Later". After the band split the members went on to form such bands as General Public, Fine Young Cannibals, and Bang. As the years went on, however, they moved further away from the ska sound and more of an Brit pop sound. Rumours about a reunion still go around.

The Selecter

Initially formed to release "The Selecter" on 2 Tone Records first single, but later scored hits after adding female vocalist Pauline Black. Hits include "On my radio", "Three Minute Hero", "Missing Words" and their own version of "Madness". They too have stuck around and appeared in various concerts in the '90's.

The Specials/The Special A.K.A.

probably the most popular band of the 2 Tone period. Released a great number of singles that hit it big in both the US and England including "Gangsters", "A message to you Rudi", "Too Much Too Young", "Nelson Mandela", and "Racist Friend". A very political and outgoing band, the Specials are named as influences to a large number of ska, rock and punk bands.

Madness

2 Tone's second single release, "The Prince" came from this crazy band. Known for their own "nutty sound" not only played amazing ska and pop songs, but also have very energetic and entertaining live concerts. Hits include "One Step Beyond", "Our House", "My Girl", "House of Fun" and many others. A very popular band in the UK. Have yearly "reunions" incluing a recent one on the west coast of the US. Also lead singer "Suggs" has a solo release out. At the end of 1999 they released a new album including the hit "Lovestruck".

Singles
CHSTT 3....The Prince/Madness (8/79)
Buy 56.....One Step Beyond/Mistakes (10/79)
Buy 62.....My Girl/Stepping Into Line (12/79)
Buy 71.....Work, Rest & Play (EP) (3/80)
Buy 84.....Baggy Trousers/The Business (9/80)
Buy 102....Embarrassment/Crying Shame (11/80)
Buy 108....Return Of The Los Palmas 7/That's The Way To Do It (1/81)
Buy 112....Grey Day/Memories (4/81)
Buy 126....Shut Up/A Town With No Name (9/81)
Buy 134....It Must Be Love/Shadow On The House (11/81)
Buy 140....Cardiac Arrest/In The City (2/82)
Buy 146....House Of Fun/Don't Look Back (4/82)
Buy 153....Driving In My Car/Animal Farm (7/82)
Buy 163....Our House/Walking With Mr. Wheeze (11/82)
Buy 169....Tomorrows Just Another Day/Madness Is All In The Mind (2/83)
Buy 181....Wings Of A Dove/Behind The 8 Ball (8/83)
Buy 192....The Sun & The Rain/Fireball XL5 (10/83)
Buy 196....Michael Caine/If You Think There's Something (1/84)
Buy 201....One Better Day/Guns (5/84)
Jazz 5.....Yesterday's Men/All I Knew (8/85)
Jazz 7.....Uncle Sam/Please Don't Go (10/85)
Jazz 8.....The Sweetest Girl/Jennie (A Portrait Of) (1/86)
Jazz 9.....(Waiting For) The Ghost Train/Maybe In Another Life (6/86)
GOD 93.....The Harder They Come/Tomorrow's Just Another Day (Both Live Madstock '92)) (10/92)
VSCDG.....Lovestruck/We Are Love/Lovestruck(enhanced video) (10/99)

Bad Manners

Put together by the infamous Buster Bloodvessel (aka Doug Trendle), Bad Manners are the best example of a band that withstood the test of time. While the Specials and Madness have had on-again off-again appearences, Bad Manners have stuck around by having an almost continually rotating number of members. Songs like "Can Can", "Feel Like Jumping", "Skinhead Love Affair" and "Mambo/ Ska no. 8" make Bad Manners a force of the 2 Tone era.

The Bodysnatchers

All female band that appeared on the Two Tone Collection and not much else. Nevertheless, played a big part with hits "Let's Do the Rocksteady", "Ruder than You", and "Easy Life". Lead singer Rhoda Dakar also appeared with the Special A.K.A. on the "In the Studio" album. There's a severe lack of info for this quality band.

Rico

Rico is Rico Rodriguez, the famous trombonist who has recorded with a number of Two Tone artists most notably the Specials. He also has a single on the Two Tone Label.

The Akryliks

You probably won't hear much of this band but they had a few singles out and appeared on 100% British Ska, another interesting Brit Ska compilation. A funny note though is that the Akrylik's lead singer (and saxophonist I believe) is none other than Roland Gift, the voice of Fine Young Cannibals.

General Public, Ranking Roger, International Beat

Three "bands" that resulted in the break-up of the English Beat with only General Public having minimal success (i.e. a hit called "Tenderness").

Fine Young Cannibals

The fourth "band" to result in the break-up of the English Beat, FYC had a decent following and decent success in the 80's with a number of hits. Most popular by far is "She drives me crazy".

Fun Boy Three

They were 3 members of the Specials that split off in the early/mid 80's. FB3 actually discovered girl-supergroup Bananarama! They had hits with them: "'t Ain't what you do" and "Really saying something" and without them: "The lunatics" and "The tunnel of love".

Desmond Dekker

Another ska hero. He's appeared solo, with his band the "Aces" and with the Specials. He's a great singer and many of his songs have biblical/religious references.

Laurel Aitken

The Godfather of Ska, Laurel Aitken (from Cuba) has been playing the Ska since the 1960's - the very beginning! He's still going strong appearing with everyone from the English Beat to a couple British punk bands to the Busters and Toasters.

Prince Buster

The man behind Madness's name, hit "One Step Beyond", and "The Prince", Buster was an influence to almost every 2 Tone band there is. Another man there since the beginning, Buster "retired" in the late '70's and returned in late '80's. He can even be heard with the Skatalites on 1997's "Island Ska".