Book Review: Too Much Too Young

In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national conscience as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. It spoke of injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism.

The music of 2 Tone was white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid. The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by a middle-class art student raised in the church. Jerry Dammers had a vision of an English Motown.

Borrowing £700, the label's first record featured 'Gangsters' by The Specials' backed by an instrumental track by the, as yet, unformed, Selecter. Within two months the single was at number six in the national charts. Dammers signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers as a glut of successive hits propelled 2 Tone onto Top of the Pops and into the hearts and minds of a generation. However, soon infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination.

Still under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, 2 Tone entered in a new phase. Perhaps not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation the label nevertheless continued to thrive for a further four years releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in '(Free) Nelson Mandela'.

Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story - Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation by Daniel Rachel was published June 2024, by Akashic Books.

During my high school years in the early 80's, I became familiar with many of the 2 Tone bands thanks to local college radio. I appreciated how much depth Rachel gives across this very short period of time, documenting every step, every rise, every fall. With over ninety principle individuals involved in this story, this collation of details clearly was a large task.

The discography of singles and albums produced on the label is a very nice bonus. There were several tunes that I needed to track down for a listen.

Fans of late 70's/early 80's British music will certainly want to check this one out.