After months of speculation, the Specials have confirmed they will be reforming for a 2009 tour. Singer Terry Hall told NME that the ska legends will be reuniting next year to celebrate 30 years since they first had a UK Top 10 hit. He said: "It's the right time to [reunite]. We talked about it at 25 but we weren't together enough. Now we're all getting on and it feels comfortable again."
Hall confirmed that Neville Staple, Roddy Radiation, Sir Horace Gentleman, John Bradbury and Lynval Golding, all original members, would be taking part in the reunion. Jerry Dammers will not be involved because he "doesn't want to tour". However, Hall added: "I think he wants to do stuff ... so the door is definitely not closed."
Hints that this seminal British band would be reuniting began in March, when Hall told the BBC that the criteria for the band reforming was, "do it with dignity or don't do it at all". Both he and Specials guitarist Lynval Golding joined Lily Allen on stage at Glastonbury 2007 for a rendition of their song Blank Expression.
The Coventry-based band emerged in the late 1970s and were pioneers of the 2-Tone movement. The multi-racial group reflected the dire political and economic climate of the time with songs such as Ghost Town, while fusing elements of reggae music with a distinctively British sound.
Hall has said he can't wait to play old favourites: "I'm looking forward to playing Ghost Town. Stereotype will also be fun and I think we might be doing Maggie's Farm too."
The Specials tour dates
Newcastle Academy (April 22)
Sheffield Academy (23)
Birmingham Academy (25, 26)
Glasgow Academy (28)
Manchester Apollo (May 3)
London Brixton Academy (6, 7)
Tickets go on sale December 11, go to www.thespecials.com for more information.
