The Specials Day’ in LA Follows Band’s Punk Rock Bowling Success

 

By DONNA BALANCIA

 

The Specials get a day in their name to celebrate the UK ska band’s message of inclusivity through music. May 29 will officially be known as “The Specials Day” in Los Angeles. A ceremony was held at City Hall.

 

Fresh off a blowout headlining performance at Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas, the British ska 2 Tones headed to downtown Los Angeles to be honored by LA City Council. 

 

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez of LA’s 7th District introduced a resolution to present a certificate to the band declaring May 29 “The Specials Day.” Their message of diversity has resonated the world over during the band’s 40-year history.

 

Founding members Terry Hall and Horace Panter attended the ceremony at City Hall. Lynval Golding was unable to attend the ceremony as he is not feeling well.

The Specials are a British 2 Tone ska band that was founded in 1977 in Coventry. 

 

In addition to Lynval Golding, Panter, and Hall, the Specials are Nikolaj Torp Larsen Steve Cradock Tim Smart Pablo Mendelssohn and Kenrick Rowe. 

 

The Specials performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and had a successful headline appearance at Punk Rock Bowling to wrap up the annual 3-day Las Vegas music festival Monday night.

During their headlining slot at Punk Rock Bowling the band held the roughly 7500 attendees enraptured playing favorites like “Gangsters,” “A Message to You, Rudy,” and wrapped with “Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Thank You Think).”

 

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”15″ display=”basic_slideshow”]

 

While the Los Angeles City Council names a day after The Specials, who certainly deserve an honor on behalf of all the loyal fans, it’s the second British musical entity to be honored by Los Angeles. Morrissey also had a day named in his honor in L.A.  Read More on The Specials Here

 

The Specials’ recently released Encore, is the band’s first new music in 37 years.

 

 

 

Attendance at the Punk Rock Bowling set was strong, proving The Specials’ music is just as popular today as it was 40 years ago. It’s the 40th anniversary of the formation of The Specials and it is 10 years since the band reformed. Encore is the first time Hall, Golding and Panter have recorded new music since the single “Ghost Town” in 1981.