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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBEAT, TheUK ska revival/pop group. The Birmingham-based multi-racial outfit was formed late '78 by Dave Wakeling (b 19 February 1956), vocals, guitar; Andy Cox (b 25 January 1956), guitar, both from Birmingham; David Steele (b 8 September 1960, Isle of Wight). They played their first dates February 1979 with drummer Everett Morton (b 5 April 1951, St Kitts, West Indies) who'd played with Joan Armatrading. They picked up 'black punk' Ranking Roger (b Roger Charlery, 21 February 1961, Birmingham; d there 26 March 2019 of cancer), former drummer turned vocalist; saxophonist Saxa (b c.1931, Jamaica), a onetime Prince Buster sideman. They broke out of clubs on the back of the 2-Tone ska explosion; toured with Specials, recorded cover of Smokey Robinson's 'Tears Of A Clown' for the 2-Tone label: off-beat interpretation, echoey sax, contrasting vocal styles of Wakeling and Roger brought no. 6 UK chart success and custom label Go-Feet. Next two also went top ten; debut LP I Just Can't Stop It '80 made no. 3; American Dance Company called it 'too fast to dance to' but mixture of up-tempo and contemporary lyrics made it a good party record. Their political edge saw 'Stand Down Margaret' aimed at Thatcher, royalties donated to Anti-Nuclear Campaign. They went off the boil somewhat with reggae-tinged 'Wha'appen' '81; by the time of Special Beat Service '82 constant touring in USA (as English Beat) had turned them into another new wave pop group. With Saxa semi-retired on health grounds they added Wesley Magoogan (b 11 October 1951) from Hazel O'Connor's Megahype, further augmented with former road manager David 'Blockhead' Wright on keyboards. Lack of chart success led Arista (who'd signed them for the UK only) to drop group and label (which had released few other artists). Mid-'83 split coincided with biggest chart hit: cover of Andy Williams hit 'Can't Get Used To Losing You' made no. 3 UK, taken from first (best) LP. Wakeling and Roger formed USA-oriented General Public, while Steele and Cox formed Fine Young Cannibals with vocalist Roland Gift (eponymous LP, UK hit 'Johnny Come Home' '85). With Madness, Beat were the brightest and longest-lived of '79 2-tone explosion; first LP and singles remain high-class pop. |