Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation

2 Tone was a black and white musical movement that emerged in 1979, featuring British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues and taking fight against right wing extremism. It was born in Coventry and signed by Jerry Dammers, who had a vision of an English Motown. The label's first record featured Gangsters by The Specials and an instrumental track by the Selecter, and within two months, the single was at number six in the national charts. However, infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination. Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that shaped British culture for a brief, bright burning moment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2024
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

In 1979, 2 Tone burst onto the national scene with the release of records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers, marking the birth of a youth movement. 2 Tone was a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians who sang about social issues, racism, class, and gender struggles, taking a stand against right-wing extremism. The music of 2 Tone was exuberant, blending ska and reggae with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid. The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by a middle-class art student raised in the church. Jerry Dammers had a vision of an English Motown, and 2 Tone's first record featured Gangsters by The Specials backed by an instrumental track by the Selecter. Within two months, the single was at number six in the national charts. Dammers signed Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers, and 2 Tone became a sensation, reaching the top of the charts and capturing the hearts and minds of a generation. However, infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination. 2 Tone entered a new phase under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, although it was not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation. Nevertheless, the label continued to thrive for four more years, releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in (Free) Nelson Mandela. 2 Tone's story is told in three parts, Too Much Too Young, which is the definitive story of a label that shaped British culture for a brief, bright burning moment.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399607506