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Too Much too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story

Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation

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Too Much too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story

By: Daniel Rachel
Narrated by: Daniel Rachel
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About this listen

#2 UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness 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 white: 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 exuberant: 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'.

Told in three parts, Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Daniel Rachel (P)2023 Orion Publishing Group Limited
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The Best Compendium Of Two Tone Records

I was 8yrs old when Two Tone kicked off, my older and very cool auntie and uncle both had the look and music. Both mixed race so it meant a lot to them. I just fell in love with the music which was unlike anything else I'd heard. I got The Selecter, Madness and Specials album for Christmas, all on vinyl (if only I'd kept them). Obviously at 8yrs old I had no idea what the lyrics meant. This book pulls no punches and what you would imagine was a euphic period of time when the whole country was black and white was actually fraut with racism, even at the gigs. This is the best book which leaves no stone unturned with excellent interviews. Do not pass this opportunity up. I also got a physical copy for the pictures. Bravo Daniel Rachel.

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One for the 2-tone officianados not much fun otherwise

I remember 2-time as a 11 year old Surrey school lad with my mates seeing this amazing work open up - colour bars meant nothing we like all wanted to dance and be rude boys or skins - that magical time which then led to our eyes opening thanks to people like dammer and Hall - is sadly not captured here there was seemingly too much information which had not been edited down and the truth behind the music seems embittered and dull - voice artist is also boring to Listen to - I went back to the tunes and bought a few so it did act as a nice way to rekindled some golden memories - so thanks to the author for that

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Culturally important message!

Really well read. Great to revisit late 70s early 80s in the UK. Funny and authentic stuff.

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A definitive account of 2-Tone

There is no stone unturned with all protagonists getting a say in the story. Sketchy memories lead to some contradictory stories but the author captures the impact of the scene. Fantastic all the way through and gives all the bands involved a say. I am the same age as the author so came to 2-tone through TOTP, records and the Dance Craze film.

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Interesting listening

Really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and finding out more about the 2 Tone label and the main protagonists.

If you remember the era, its well worth a read.

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Don't Read That Read This

warts n all story of the record label that changed mine, and the lives of many. nothing is left out here, and its not all about the music either, it's the people's story of how they did what they did. loved it.

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2 tone

Loved this insight into the rise and fall of the record label. Well put together and a great piece of music history. Short lived but a huge impact. Well read too. I would recommend this to all who lived through this period.

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