The saga of British-born 2 Tone Record label will be celebrated in new book, Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story – Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation by author Daniel Rachel. The book features an introduction by Pauline Black (The Selecter) as well as the voices (via interviews with the author) of “nearly every musician in every 2 Tone Band.” It will be published in the United States by Akashic Books on June 4th, 2024.
Described by Madness lead singer Suggs as “the definitive account of one of Britain’s finest youth movements,” Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story has already received several accolades, including being long-listed for the Penderyn Music Book Prize, the first UK-based prize specifically for music titles.
Too Much Too Young is the story of a label that for a brief moment, shaped British, American, and world culture. In 1979, 2 Tone reached the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers hit the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was “black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles.” It spoke of “injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism.”
The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by The Specials’ Jerry Dammers, a middle-class art student with a vision of an English Motown. Borrowing £700, he made the label’s first record, featuring “Gangsters” by The Specials. Within two months the single was at #6 in the national charts. Dammers next signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers.
Author Daniel Rachel says:
As a child, 2 Tone defined the way I saw the world. I was seduced by the off-beat rhythms, the cool-looking clothes, and most importantly the social and political lyrics. 2 Tone taught me about Black and white unity, it gave a voice to the pointlessness of street violence, and it provided an understanding and awareness of the horror of rape and apartheid. That you could dance, look good, and be educated by a record was incredible. This music and these bands have printed an indelible mark on my life. To write the story of 2 Tone is one of profound personal pride. But more so, to honor one of the greatest periods in modern popular culture. 2 Tone at its heart was a movement of great songwriters, musicians, and songs: We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown!
Rachel will mark the US publication of Too Much Too Young with a wide-range of in-store appearances and events, beginning Friday, August 23, 2024 at West Hollywood, CA’s Book Soup (8818 Sunset Blvd.) with an exclusive conversation with The Specials’ Lynval Golding and Sarah-Jane Owen of The Bodysnatchers, moderated by radio host/MC Junor Francis. For complete details, please visit Akashic Books.
TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG EVENTS FEATURING DANIEL RACHEL
Friday, August 23 | 7:00 pm
West Hollywood, CA – Book Soup (8818 Sunset Blvd.)
Daniel Rachel presents Too Much Too Young in conversation with Lynval Golding of the Specials and Sarah-Jane Owen of the Bodysnatchers; moderated by Junor Francis
Sunday, August 25 | 7:30 pm
San Francisco, CA – The Make Out Room (3225 22nd St. & Mission)
Daniel Rachel presents Too Much Too Young in conversation with Peter Maravelis
Tuesday, August 27 | 7:00 pm
Las Vegas, NV – The Writer’s Block (519 S. 6th St. Ste. 100)
Wednesday, August 28 | 7:00 pm
Tempe, AZ – Changing Hands Bookstore (6428 S. McClintock Dr.)
Friday, August 30 | 6:00 pm
Denver, CO – Tattered Cover (2526 E. Colfax Ave.)
Sunday, September 8 | 4:00 pm
Cleveland Heights, OH – Mac’s Backs Books (1820 Coventry Rd.)
Monday, September 9 | Time TBD
Saugerties, NY – Upstate Films / Orpheum Theatre (198 Main St.)
Wednesday, September 11 | 7:00 pm
Jersey City, NJ – WORD Bookstore (29 McWilliams Pl.)
Thursday, September 12 | Time TBD
NEW YORK, NY – Rough Trade NYC (30 Rockefeller Plaza)
Saturday, September 14 | 3:00 pm
Washington, DC – Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St., NW)
Sunday, September 15 | Time TBD
Fort Monroe, VA – Supernova Ska Festival (316 Fenwick Rd.)
