The Skafather comes home
The circle was completed last week when The Godfather of 2-Tone made a visit to 2-Tone Central last Thursday.
Jerry Dammers who was taking part in Phil Dunn's organised fundraising Love Music Hate Racism concert at Coventry University, with Special Brew and The Shackletons, dropped in to the museum venue before the gig.
He was surprised at what he saw, because he really didn't know what to expect, said the venue's Co-Director Pete Chambers. "He said we have done an amazing job with the place, and whilst viewing the reconstruction of the Rude Boys bedroom, commented that no detail had been spared. He was in top form, it was hard to believe that the man who created 2-Tone was actually in the building, and he agreed to be an Honorary Patron" said Pete (pictured below with Jerry).
One thing he did spot was the first 2-Tone single Gangsters Vs The Selecter, "The sleeve was rubber stamped, with The Special AKA on the top and Vs The Selecter at the bottom, we have Neol Davies loaned copy that had the text reversed making it the rarest 2-Tone single ever. We thought it was the only copy in existence that was until Jerry informed us he has one too. So we will have to change the information label now", Pete joked.
"Jerry has agreed to loan us some of his own personal collection" Pete said, obviously we are excited by the prospect of that, we hope he will return to the venue sometime soon".
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2-Tone Central is just six months old this month, in that time, it has had....
Four Specials play together on our stage
Five members of The Selecter in the same room at the same time
Been visited by actors, radio personalities, The High Commissioner of St Vincent and The Grenadines and The Lord Mayor of Coventry
Had over 2350 people visit us
With visitors coming from 94 different places home and abroad
We have been seen on Television, appeared in newspapers, and on the radio, been in the What's On listing nearly every day
Have held college lectures and educated Children in the history of 2-Tone
Published its own official guide book
We have been quickly accepted as Coventry's newest museum
We have achieved this through hard work and belief plus the support from so many people all determined that the legacy of 2-Tone will not die.
Picture copyright and courtesy of John Coles
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