16th January 2009
   

FOUNDER members of The Specials
helped launch Coventry’s 2-Tone Trail – plaques celebrating 30 years of music
and memories in the city.
Original members
Horace Panter and Roddy Byers
were cheered by fans as they
tore the chequered curtain off the
first plate at the Canal Basin yesterday.
The disc commemorates the
place iconic photos were
taken by Chalkie Davis and Carol Starr
for the cover of the band’s first album in 1979.

Speeches, noting the relationship
the band has with its home town,
were given by 2-Tone aficionado
Pete Chambers,
and Coun Tony Skipper,
a lifelong supporter of live music
and local bands.

Other places to get a plaque include,
The Binley Oak pub,
The Kasbah (formerly the Tic Toc),
Lower Holyhead Road Youth Club,
The Butts Stadium and Technical College,
51 Albany Road, Earlsdon,
Mr George’s Nightclub (now TJ Hughes store),
Tiffany’s (now The Central Library),
and The Dog and Trumpet.

In addition photographer
John Coles
will exhibit a series of
previously unseen images
of the band at The Lock Art Gallery,
in the Canal Basin,
from Friday until Saturday
January 31, open 2pm-4pm.

Thanks To Kate & Pete Bowery for the Photo's