Editing The Specials (section)

===The Specials reunion (2008–2022)===
====Terry Hall & Friends====
In 2007, Hall teamed up with Golding for the first time in 24 years, to play Specials songs at two music festivals. At [[Glastonbury Festival]], they appeared on the Pyramid Stage with [[Lily Allen]] to perform "Gangsters". In May 2009, Golding claimed that Allen's reuniting him with Hall played a "massive part" in the group's later reformation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/passtheremote/2009/05/the-specials-reunuion-all-down.html |title=The Specials reunion all down to Lily Allen |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=15 May 2009 |access-date=29 April 2010 |archive-date=3 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703041652/http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/passtheremote/2009/05/the-specials-reunuion-all-down.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later the same day, they played on the Park Stage, with [[Damon Albarn]] of [[Blur (band)|Blur]] on piano and [[beatbox]]er [[Shlomo (human beatbox)|Shlomo]] providing rhythm, to perform "A Message to You, Rudy". At [[GuilFest]], Golding joined the Dub Pistols to again perform "Gangsters". In 2007, Golding regularly performed concerts and recorded with [[Pama International]], a collective of musicians who were members of Special Beat.

[[File:The Special Concert.jpg|thumb|300px|The Specials performing at [[Brixton Academy]], London, May 2009 as part of their 30th anniversary tour]]
On 30 March 2008, Hall stated that the Specials would be reforming for tour dates in autumn 2008, and possibly for some recording.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20080330_specials.shtml |title=6 Music – The Specials reunion |publisher=BBC |date=30 March 2008 |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> This was officially confirmed on 7 April 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/7335284.stm |title=Ska band confirms reunion plans |work=BBC News |date=7 April 2008 |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> On 6 September 2008, six members of the band performed on the main stage at the [[Bestival]], billed as the "Surprise Act". By December 2008, the band had announced 2009 tour dates to celebrate their 30th anniversary, although founder member Dammers was not joining the band on the tour.

Hall was quoted as saying, "The door remains open to him".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-specials/41400 |title=The Specials reunite for 2009 tour |website=Nme.com |date=2 December 2008 |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> However, Dammers described the new reunion as a "takeover" and claimed he had been forced out of the band.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/00862-jerry-dammers-slams-specials-reunion|last=Turner |first=Luke |title=Jerry Dammers Damns Specials Reunion |website=Thequietus.com |date=10 December 2008 |access-date=29 April 2010}}</ref> Around that same time, longtime Specials fan [[Amy Winehouse]] joined Dammers onstage at [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], singing the song he wrote for the Specials, "Free Nelson Mandela", for Mandela's 90th birthday concert, dubbed [[46664]] after Mandela's prison number, and also the name of his AIDS charity, which received money raised by the birthday bash.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/06/28/singer-amy-winehouse-takes-stage-at-nelson-mandela-birthday-show/#ixzz2PChMuuxC |title=London rocks for Nelson Mandela |publisher=[[Fox News]] |date=28 June 2008 |access-date=23 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231085905/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/06/28/singer-amy-winehouse-takes-stage-at-nelson-mandela-birthday-show/#ixzz2PChMuuxC#ixzz2PChMuuxC |archive-date=31 December 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/06/28/mandela.concert/index.html |title=London rocks for Nelson Mandela |website=[[CNN]] |agency=[[CNN]] |date=28 June 2008 |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref>

====30th Anniversary Tour and beyond====
On 10 April 2009, the Specials guested on [[BBC Two]]'s ''[[Later... with Jools Holland]]''. The following month, Bradbury and Golding expressed their intentions to release further original Specials material at a later date.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mymusos.com/part-one-of-our-exclusive-chat-with-the-specials/4515 |title=Muso's Guide Interview with the Specials |website=Mymusos.com |date=13 May 2009 |access-date=29 April 2010}}{{dead link|date=November 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> On 8 June 2009, it was announced that the Specials would embark on a second leg of their 30th anniversary tour, taking in the locations and venues that they missed earlier in the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thespecials.com/grapevine/?p=50|title=''The Specials confirm more 2009 UK dates'' |website=Thespecials.com|date=8 June 2009|access-date=29 April 2010|archive-date=28 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728191129/http://www.thespecials.com/grapevine/?p=50}}</ref> In July and August 2009, the Specials toured [[Australia]] and [[Japan]]. In October, the band picked up the Inspiration Award at the [[Q Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thespecials.com/grapevine/?p=130|title=The Specials pick up Q Inspiration Award 2009|website=Thespecials.com|date=26 October 2009|access-date=29 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129180847/http://www.thespecials.com/grapevine/?p=130|archive-date=29 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010, they performed at the Dutch festival [[Lowlands (festival)|Lowlands.]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lowlands.nl/blokkenschema.php?dag=vrijdag#1091 |title=The Specials |access-date=21 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822215005/http://www.lowlands.nl/blokkenschema.php?dag=vrijdag#1091 |archive-date=22 August 2008}}</ref>

In an interview at the Green Room in Manchester in November 2010, Hall confirmed that there would be further Specials dates in the autumn of 2011, and confessed to having enjoyed playing live again: "It's a celebration of something that happened in your life that was important, and we're going to do that again next year, but then maybe that'll be it".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davehaslam.com/control.php?_command=/DISPLAY/170/50//6000/36015 |title=Dave Haslam, Author and DJ – official site |website=Davehaslam.com |access-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720091551/http://www.davehaslam.com/control.php?_command=%2FDISPLAY%2F170%2F50%2F%2F6000%2F36015 |archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> In late 2010, the band re-released "A Message to You, Rudy" as a Haiti Special Fund available to download from [[iTunes]] in both the UK and the US, with proceeds going to aid the [[UNICEF]] effort to help children in earthquake-stricken [[Haiti]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://marcoonthebass.blogspot.com/2010/05/haiti-special-specials-re-release.html |title=Haiti Special – The Specials Re-release 'Message To You Rudy' To Raise Money for Haitian Earthquake Relief |date=12 May 2010 |work=Marco on Bass |publisher=MarcoOnBass |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref>

In February 2012, it was announced that the Specials would perform at Hyde Park with Blur and [[New Order (band)|New Order]] to celebrate the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17110538|title=London 2012: Blur to headline Olympics closing show|date=21 February 2012|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> Panter said that the band were excited to be involved in such a momentous event: "We have been keeping it under our pork pie hats for a month or so now. I think it is going to be the only chance people get to see the Specials performing in the UK this year."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/specials-join-blur-london-2012-3914609 |title=The Specials join Blur for London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=21 February 2012 |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> The Specials' performance was said to have remained synonymous with Britain's political and social upheaval of the late 1970s and early 1980s.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/blur-headlines-wide-ranging-closing-ceremony-celebration-concert-in-london-20120813#ixzz2PCmpXkVg |last=Sutherland |first=Mark |title=The Specials join Blur for London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=13 August 2013 |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref>

[[File:2013-07-07 - The Specials - Montreal (9264612723).jpg|thumb|250x250px|The Specials performing at [[Métropolis (concert hall)|Métropolis]], [[Montreal]], 7 July 2013]]
In August 2012, the Specials released a new live album, ''More... Or Less. – The Specials Live'', featuring "the best of the best" performances from their 2011 European tour, selected by the band themselves on a double-disc CD and double-vinyl LP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thespecials.com/grapevine/?p=502 |title='More…Or Less. The Specials Live': Live compilation of the legendary band's 2011 tour. Release date: 6th August, 2012 |website=Thespecials.com|date=16 August 2012 |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823012016/http://www.thespecials.com/grapevine/?p=502 |archive-date=23 August 2012}}</ref>

====Departures of Neville Staple and Roddy Radiation====
In January 2013, the Specials announced the departure of Staple with the following message on their website: "We are very sad Neville cannot join us on the Specials' UK tour in May 2013 or indeed on the future projects we have planned. He has made a huge contribution to the fantastic time and reception we have received since we started and reformed in 2009. However, he missed a number of key shows last year due to ill health, and his health is obviously much more important. We wish him the very best for the future".

The Specials completed a North American tour in 2013, performing to sold-out crowds in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and Vancouver.

In February 2014, it was revealed that Roddy Radiation had left the reformed group.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/specials-lead-guitarist-roddy-radiation-6682703 |title=Specials lead guitarist Roddy 'Radiation' Byers leaves the band |last=Chambers |first=Pete |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> In spite of his departure, the Specials played an extensive tour in the autumn of 2014 with [[Steve Cradock]] ([[Ocean Colour Scene]], [[Paul Weller (singer)|Paul Weller]]) as lead guitarist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://louderthanwar.com/steve-cradock-joins-the-specials-for-november-uk-tour/|title=Steve Cradock joins The Specials for November UK tour |last=Colios |first=Willow |publisher=Louder than War |date=18 March 2014 |access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref>

====Death of John Bradbury====
Drummer John Bradbury died on 28 December 2015 at the age of 62.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/01/arts/music/john-bradbury-drummer-for-the-specials-dies-at-62.html|title=John Bradbury, Drummer for the Specials, Dies at 62 |date=2 January 2016 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> On 22 March 2016, the Specials announced that [[the Libertines]] drummer [[Gary Powell (musician)|Gary Powell]] would be performing on their upcoming tours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thespecials.com/grapevine/?p=741 |title=New Touring Line Up |access-date=23 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305212202/http://www.thespecials.com/grapevine/?p=741 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Powell was replaced by [[PJ Harvey]]/[[Jazz Jamaica]] drummer Kenrick Rowe on the [[Encore (The Specials album)|Encore]] album and subsequent tour.

====''Encore'' and ''Protest Songs 1924–2012''====
[[File:The Specials 2022 (cropped).jpg|thumb|286x286px|The Specials performing in 2022]]
In 2017, the band invited 20-year-old [[Birmingham]] native [[Saffiyah Khan]] to a show after a photo of her confronting an "[[English Defence League]] goon" in a Specials t-shirt at a counter-demonstration went [[Viral phenomenon|viral]]. Less than two years later, Khan had performed on stage for the first time, recorded a song and toured North America with the band.<ref>{{cite news|date=8 February 2019|title=Saffiyah Khan: From EDL viral photo to The Specials|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-47147069|access-date=1 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Saffiyah Khan on tour with The Specials|url=https://theface.com/music/saffiyah-khans-tour-diary|access-date=1 January 2021|website=The Face|date=17 April 2019 }}</ref>

On 29 October 2018, the Specials announced a UK tour in 2019 to coincide with the release of a new album, ''[[Encore (The Specials album)|Encore]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-specials-new-album-encore-2019-2394491 |title=The Specials reveal new tour dates for 2019 and unveil new album 'Encore' |date=30 October 2018 |publisher=NME |access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref>

On 1 February 2019, the band announced a spring North American tour to promote the 1 February 2019 release of ''[[Encore (The Specials album)|Encore]]'' (out via [[Island Records]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnewsnet.com/2019/02/the-specials-return-with-new-album-encore-and-announce-north-american-tour.html|title=The Specials Return With New Album, "Encore" and Announce North American Tour|website=Music News Net|access-date=1 February 2019}}</ref> The following week, ''[[Encore (The Specials album)|Encore]]'' debuted at number 1 on the [[UK Albums Chart]], giving the band their first chart-topping album since 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-specials-win-rollercoaster-chart-battle-to-secure-first-number-1-album-with-encore-we-all-share-in-this-thank-you__25518/|title=The Specials secure first Number 1 album with Encore|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=8 February 2019}}</ref> During 2019, the Specials invited 17-year-old artist and photographer Sterling Chandler to join the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-eyes-sterling-chandler-004200507.html|title=Sterling Chandler joins The Specials on tour|website=Yahoo News|date=11 February 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021}}</ref>

In March 2021, the band announced a UK tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/specials-reveal-updated-uk-tour-19953743|title=The Specials reveal updated UK tour dates including homecoming Coventry gig|website=Coventry Telegraph|date=3 March 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021}}</ref> On 7 July 2021, Horace Panter announced a new 12-track Specials album that was released on 23 August 2021, titled ''[[Protest Songs 1924–2012]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/horacepanterart/status/1412773200149233668|title=Horace Panter reveals the release date of the next Specials album|website=Twitter|access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref> Vocalist Hannah Hu joined the band for their 2021 tour and also sang on the new album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.totalntertainment.com/music/the-specials-announce-new-album-and-tour/|title=The Specials announce new album and tour|website=Totalntertainment.com|date=17 August 2021|access-date=4 October 2021}}</ref>

====Death of Terry Hall====
On 19 December 2022, the Specials announced on social media that [[Terry Hall (singer)|Terry Hall]] had died at age 63 after a brief illness which was later revealed to be pancreatic cancer. They had planned to record a new album in the United States before Hall's health deteriorated.<ref>{{cite web |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |title=The Specials' Terry Hall has died, aged 63 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-specials-terry-hall-dies-aged-63-cause-tributes-3369212 |website=NME |access-date=19 December 2022 |date=19 December 2022}}</ref>

In a 2023 interview, bass player Horace Panter confirmed that the Specials had ceased to be following Hall's death. He stated, "It would be ludicrous to tour without Terry, so yes, that's definitely the end of the Specials".<ref>{{cite web |last=Rider |first=Alan |date=November 2023 |title=The Art of Being A Special – Former Specials bassist Horace Panter talks expansively to Alan Rider about losing Terry Hall, life after The Specials, flat art, the Dirt Road Band, selfie culture, and extreme calligraphy |url=https://outsideleft.com/main.php?updateID=2892 |access-date=14 June 2024 |website=outsideleft.com }}</ref>

In December 2024, Sky Arts aired ''The Specials: Live From Coventry Cathedral'', the last-filmed concert by the band before Hall's death in 2022. The show was directed by Hall's wife [[Lindy Heymann]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Peters |first=Daniel |date=December 2024|title= The Specials’ last filmed show before Terry Hall’s death to air on TV next month |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-specials-last-filmed-show-before-terry-halls-death-to-air-on-tv-next-month-3817313 |access-date=28 January 2025|website=nme.com }}</ref>