2 Tone (or Two Tone) is a style of music created by fusing elements of punk rock and ska. The sound was pioneered in the late 1970s by English bands such as The Specials, The Selecter, The Beat and Madness. Many of these bands were signed to 2 Tone Records, Stiff Records or Go Feet Records, and were based around the West Midlands of England.

The term 2 Tone was coined by Jerry Dammers of the Specials, and summed up the West Midlands scene at the time. The name had a double meaning: it referred to the black and white outfits worn by ska-loving rude boys and skinheads, and to the solidarity between blacks and whites at a time when racial tensions among the British working class were high.

Dammers had a dream of starting his own label similar to Motown, that The Specials could release their own records on. With the assistance of The Specials' bassist, Horace Panter, he created artwork that was to become central to the 2 Tone world. The logo was based on an early album cover picture of Peter Tosh (which itself was inspired by a photograph of The Impressions). With the signature black and white check pattern dropped in for good measure, Walt Jabsco was born.

The label also released two albums by legendary Jamaican trombonist Rico Rodriguez, who had appeared on first two albums by The Specials.

Complete list of 2 Tone acts

• The Apollinaires
• Bad Manners
• The Beat (aka The English Beat in the U.S.)
• The Bodysnatchers
• Elvis Costello & The Attractions (for one unreleased single (CHS TT7) only)
• The Friday Club
• The Higsons
• JB's Allstars
• Madness
• Rhoda
• Rico Rodriguez
• The Selecter
• The Special AKA
• The Specials
• The Swinging Cats

External links

• 2 Tone info Comprehensive History, discography, etc
• www.thespecials.com The Specials

Ska | English styles of music | Punk genres

Two Tone | 2-tone | Two-Tone | Ska Revival | 2 Tone | 2TONE | 2 Tone | Two Tone