Legendary 2-Tone group The Specials have denied claims by founding member Jerry Dammers that he was “kicked out” of the group.
Formed in the aftermath of the punk explosion, The Specials blended the energy of punk with ska to produce something that helped define the musical palette of a generation.
The band have reformed for their 30th anniversary and are set to tour the UK. The group are set to tour without founding member Jerry Dammers, which has caused much argument between the two parties.
Dammers was responsible for writing much of the group’s classic material, but will no be joining the reformed Specials on the tour. The musician released a statement claiming he was forced out the group, which singer Terry Hall claimed was confusing.
“I’ve read Jerry’s statement and I just don’t get it,” he told The Guradian. “‘They’re trying to kick me out of the band’ – not at all mate, not at all.”
“I spoke to Jerry night after night all through 2008. He wanted to do one date, in (the band’s native) Coventry, in front of 30,000 people, at the football stadium [The Ricoh Arena]. I thought that was a bit of a Take That thing. We wanted to play 2,000 to 3,000-sized venues.”
“I don’t think he likes the idea of touring, to be honest. I think he hid that a bit in his statement. But apart from that, I have no idea why Jerry isn’t doing it.”
