Dave Wakeling: Ska and The English Beat
Hear an Interview and In-Studio Performance
From
Set List
- "Whine and Grine/Stand Down Margaret"
- "Tears of a Clown"
- "I Confess"
- "Mirror in the Bathroom"
- "Save It for Later"
Former English Beat singer Dave Wakeling. hide caption
One of the most important ska bands of all time, The English Beat helped revive the genre in the early '80s. Influenced by pop, punk and reggae, the group tackled political themes such as poverty and nuclear disarmament on classic albums such as 1981's Wha'ppen and 1982's Special Beat Service, as well as singles that included "I Confess" and "Save It for Later."
Creative differences led to the band's 1983 dissolution, but 20 years later, most of its members reunited for a mini-tour in the U.K. The English Beat is currently working on an album for release later this year. In the meantime, lead singer Dave Wakeling still tours the world with an all-star ska band, playing hits from The English Beat, as well as his assorted side projects.
This segment originally aired on June 8, 2007.