In advance of his trip to Ireland, Roddy ‘Radiation’ Byers looks back on his early days with The Specials, and tells Ellie O’Byrne about the musical subgenre he invented

The Specials’ groundbreaking early records were released against a backdrop of social strife, racial tensions, upheaval in Northern Ireland, and bickering about Britain’s place in the world.

The legendary purveyor of musical good times tells Ed Power why he’s looking forward to playing in Kerry

Specials songwriter Jerry Dammers has been named a music industry inspiration three decades after his song, ‘Nelson Mandela’, stormed the charts calling for the release of the anti-apartheid campaigner.

South Africa yesterday marked two decades of multi-racial democracy, still feeling the loss of Nelson Mandela and in sombre mood just 10 days before elections which are expected to keep the African National Congress (ANC) party in power.

HE WAS one of the great statesman of the latter half of the 20th century. But Nelson Mandela was also a hugely significant cultural figure.

MUSIC NEWS: Co-operation between Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher would put the fall of the Berlin Wall in the shade, but the formerly feuding Brit-pop kings are rumoured to be working together.

IT WAS a plush affair for the mid-80s, an era when record sales had already begun to decline, and when music writers had already begun to reminisce about the good old glory days when lavish promotional parties and international flights were commonplace.

The Specials broke up acrimoniously after hitting big with Ghost Town in 1981. Now they’ve reformed, says Ed Power

Nelson Mandela is making a bid for the charts after recording a spoken-word vocal for a song composed in his honour.

Nelson Mandela is making a bid for the charts after recording a spoken-word vocal for a song composed in his honour.

One of the biggest and most glamorous birthday parties ever will take place in London as stars join Nelson Mandela for his 90th birthday concert.