Just a big shout out to my favorite 2 Tone source, 2 Tone - Before, During & After. If you don’t have this book by Lee Morris, or his fanzine, do yourself a favor now. This guy is a 2 Tone expert more than anyone else I’ve ever read by a mile. 🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤 2tonefanzine.bigcartel.com

This article in The Star from Sept. 1964 features Lloyd Knibb, a young 33-year-old master who was ranked the top ska drummer in Jamaica. Here he tells how he helped to develop the ska beat. He told me all about it too, which I wrote about in my book Ska: An Oral History at skabook.com. #ska #jamaica

Hard to believe that five years ago, on May 5, 2020, we lost the legendary Millie Small. Read her story as she told it to me here: skabook.com/songbirds/ #SkaMusic #MillieSmall #jamaica #MyBoyLollipop

Songbirds: Pioneering Women in Jamaican Music

In a music world that was rougher than rough, where men took monikers of royalty and machismo like Duke and King and Lord; where boastful ringleaders fired guns into the air after descending a thro…

skabook.com

On May 4th, 2004, Clement “Coxsone” Seymour Dodd died at the age of 72. A few years ago Tony Sarabia recorded this segment about Coxsone for WBEZ, the NPR station in Chicago. Celebrate the life of Coxsone Dodd, and celebrate public media by fighting back here: protectmypublicmedia.org/rsc-emails/

Global Notes: Remembering legendary Jamaican producer Coxsone Dodd

wbez.org

Happy May Day, and Happy Birthday to Alpha Boys School! Alpha was officially founded on this day in 1890. Read all about this legendary institution in my book on Alpha, available here: skabook.com/alpha-boys-s... #ska #reggae #alphaboysschool #jamaica #kingston

Alpha Boys School: Cradle Of Jamaican Music

The true story of the school that started a musical revolution. Ska and reggae music has reverbarated around the planet but without the musical brilliance of the graduates of Jamaica’s Alpha …

skabook.com

Cedric Im Brooks was born on April 27 1943 and attended Alpha Boys School. Later in life he performed with the reformed Skatalites and was a founding member of the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari and Light of Saba. Legend. www.alphaboysschoolradio.com #reggae #ska #jamaica

If you ever find yourself anywhere near Coventry, the 2 Tone Village is a must see. Everyone there does this out of deep love for the music and to make sure Coventry’s history remembers the impact of ska. The memorabilia is incredible and they have shops, restaurants, and live events. #2Tone #ska

Get your copy now! @someskaband.bsky.social

On April 24, 1954, Winston Churchill was knighted, thus becoming Sir Winston Churchill. Commemorate the occasion by listening to the work of some real royalty—Duke Reid, Sir Coxsone Dodd, Prince Buster, Lord Creator, and King Edwards. #ska #skamusic #reggae #reggaemusic #jamaica

This photo of Michael Manley, Bob Marley, & Edward Seaga was taken on April 22 1978 during the One Love Peace Concert, the first show upon returning from London after being shot. The photo was taken by Howard Moo Young. Read more here: emc.edu.jm/tiac/1131098... #reggae #BobMarley #jamaica #onelove

Just saw the This Is New Tone @badtimerecords.bsky.social documentary screened by @abbeyproductions.bsky.social at the Pop Culture Association conference in New Orleans! So many familiar faces and so much fun! #ska @catbiteband.bsky.social @badoperation.bsky.social @skatunenetwork.bsky.social

Jamaican ska is alive and well! Grab this on Bandcamp! #ska #skatalites #tipatop #jamaica

60 Years | Tip-A-Top Records

tipatoprecords.com

60 years ago, this ad appeared in the Jamaica Gleaner. Lynn Taitt is a legendary rocksteady guitarist and has been credited with crafted the first rocksteady bassline on the song "Take It Easy" by vocalist Hopeton Lewis. #ska #reggae #reggaemusic #skamusic #rocksteady #jamaica

On April 14, 1984, the Dutch pop-ska band Doe Maar played their farewell concert in Den Bosch, Netherlands. They were very popular in the Netherlands and have been called the Dutch Beatles. Check out their sound and you can definitely hear the early 80s ska revival! #doemaar #ska #skapunk #2tone

Doe Maar - De bom (1983)

YouTube video by Dutch Music Channel

youtu.be

It was on April 13, 1973 that one of the most iconic and powerful albums of all time was released--Catch A Fire by The Wailers. I've only seen one in the flesh once at a museum. Anyone own this baby? #BobMarley #reggae #catchafire #islandrecords #chrisblackwell #jamaica

Herbie Hancock was born on April 12 1940. His song “Watermelon Man” became a popular hit by Mongo Santamaria and was also recorded by Baba Brooks as well as Byron Lee. Have a listen and tip your hat to Herbie Hancock for penning this crucial tune! #ska #jazz #herbiehancock #mongosantamaria #jamaica

Baba Brooks - Watermelon Man

YouTube video by negrosounds

m.youtube.com

The first space shuttle was launched on April 11 1981. Remember the Columbia with Tommy McCook's Rocket Ship featuring toaster Sir Lord Comic who likely patterned these lyrics after American DJ Douglas “Jocko” Henderson's vocalizations on his radio show, Rocket Ship. #ska #jamaica #spaceshuttle

ROCKET SHIP - TOMMYMCCOOK AND THE BABA BROOKS BAND

YouTube video by Jahbuzzz

youtube.com

On April 10, 2014 Cat Stevens was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. What does he have to do with ska? In 1973 Stevens recorded his album Foreigner in Jamaica at Dynamic Sounds, the studio owned by Byron Lee who popularized ska with his Dragonaires. #ska #jamaica #catstevens #byronlee

On April 9, 2002, the funeral for The Queen Mother was held at Westminster Abbey. Did you know the Queen Mother loved ska? The Jamaica Gleaner, Feb. 25 1965 says she attended a ska performance, "her eyes lighting up as she waved her hand in demonstration." As close to skanking as we’ll get! #ska

On April 8 2013, we lost Annette Funicello, one of the Mousketeers. She also taught Bob Hope how to dance the Jamaica Ska in 1964: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCLY... & she danced and sang Jamaica Ska in the 1980s Back to the Beach with Fishbone: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_7... #AnnetteFunicello #ska

Annette Funicello and Bob Hope - Jamaica Ska

YouTube video by John1948OneB

youtube.com

Exciting! Getting ready to give my talk: Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl: (Re)constructing Jamaica Music History with Women's Stories.

Jim and Greg sit down with author Heather Augustyn (@skabook.bsky.social) to dive into the role of women in the British ska scene. Heather highlights five incredible female artists who made their mark in the scene, overcoming significant challenges: bit.ly/4l9Jrzh

Thank you so much, @unclecon.bsky.social ! Grateful. 🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍

Conrad Sienkiewicz@unclecon.bsky.social · last yr.

I dedicated two episodes of UNCLE CON'S DINER to songs from Heather's incredible book! Listen to her interview on SOUND OPINIONS to learn more about women in ska and 2 Tone!

Sound Opinions is up! So excited! Have a listen, and thank you so much Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot! soundopinions.org/show/1009

Tune in to Sound Opinions @soundopinions.bsky.social this Friday when I will be talking with @jimderogatis.bsky.social and @gregkot.bsky.social about Rude Girls: Women in 2 Tone and One Step Beyond! #ska #2Tone #rudegirls

Join me in Coventry on Sunday March 30th! #ska #2Tone #coventry #rudegirls

Make sure to tune in Friday at noon! Thank you so much for celebrating Rude Girls @unclecon.bsky.social !! 🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🤍

Conrad Sienkiewicz@unclecon.bsky.social · last yr.

If you are a rude girl - or even if you just know a rude girl - you will want to tune in to UNCLE CON'S DINER 3/28 at noon as he plays ska from Heather Augustyn's book! Stream us live at www.wapj.org. @skabook.bsky.social @skaler.bsky.social @rj-auggie.bsky.social

Hard Man Fe Dead! One of the most classic tunes of all time, by Prince Buster (covered by The Toasters--Hard Band For Dead), talks about a Nine Night. Here's a piece I wrote that explains this ritual, and hopefully it will bring a deeper appreciation the next time you sing along! #ska #jamaica

Hard Man Fe Dead

Prince Buster recorded one of his most famous tunes, Hard Man Fe Dead, in 1966. The following lyrics detail the humorous tale of a man who is, to quote one of my favorite movies, Monty Python and t…

skabook.com

Today marks six years since we lost Ranking Roger. Beautiful soul. Celebrate his life by putting on some of his tunes and singing along. Love love love. #ska #2tone #thebeat #rankingroger

60 years ago today, Miriam Makeba performed in Jamaica and sold out all shows at the Regal Theatre. Two years later, in 1967, Patsy Todd recorded her version of a Miriam Makeba song, "Pata Pata Rock Steady," likely influenced by Makeba's visit. Have a listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTJJ... #ska