Jerry Dammers Specials Row

The creative genius behind ska-punk legends The Specials Jerry Dammers has hit out at the rest of the group, claiming he was "driven out" of their upcoming re-union.

The band formed in Coventry in the late 70s and came to define British life as their jaunty ska-punk toppled the charts at the same time as inner city youth fought with the police. Their iconic hit 'Ghost Town' struck number one the same week as the deadly Brixton riots occurred.

Jerry Dammers was the lynch pin of the group in this period, yet won't be involved in the upcoming reunion. In a statement the musician said "the prodigal sons came home, kicked me out, and have left the door open, great."

The statement went on to say "Jerry does not wish to go into too much detail at this point, except to say that for over 25 years he had dreamed that his former bandmates might come back one day, and was deeply shocked to find that when they did, for some of them, it was apparently to kick him out."

"A meeting was called to which Jerry was not invited. Jerry turned up anyway and played the music he had started recording, and suggested starting serious rehearsals, but was subjected to a severe dressing down from people who had barely spoken to him in 25 years."

"Jerry sees this whole thing as a takeover, rather than a proper reunion... At the moment this is not the proud reunion and 30th anniversary celebration Jerry had hoped for."

The Specials are set to go on tour next April and May. Click here to buy tickets to The Specials!