Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story
Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Orion Publishing Co
Published:18th Apr '24
Should be back in stock very soon
This book chronicles the rise and impact of 2 Tone Records, showcasing its influence on British music and culture during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In 1979, 2 Tone Records emerged as a significant force in the music scene, capturing the attention of a nation with its unique sound and cultural impact. The label was home to iconic bands such as The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers, which not only dominated the charts but also sparked a vibrant youth movement. Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story delves into this explosive era, highlighting how a multi-racial collective of British and Caribbean musicians tackled pressing social issues through their music. These artists addressed themes of racism, class struggles, and gender inequality, making their mark on society while challenging right-wing extremism.
The music produced under the 2 Tone label was infectious, combining the upbeat rhythms of ska and reggae with a punk attitude, creating a distinctive and original sound. The visionary behind this movement, Jerry Dammers, was a middle-class art student who dreamed of establishing an English Motown. With a modest loan of £700, he launched the label with The Specials' hit 'Gangsters,' which quickly climbed the national charts. As the label expanded, it brought forth a wave of talent that captivated audiences and solidified 2 Tone's place in music history.
Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story is structured in three parts, offering a comprehensive look at the label's rise and eventual challenges. While the initial period from 1979 to 1981 was marked by remarkable commercial success, internal conflicts and the pressures of fame led to a decline. Nevertheless, under Dammers' leadership, the label continued to innovate and release impactful music, culminating in the powerful anthem '(Free) Nelson Mandela.' This narrative captures a vibrant chapter of British culture that resonated with many.
A SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
#2 UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
A RESIDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
'A brilliantly vivid account of one of British pop culture's most inspiring movements - surely the definitive telling of the 2-Tone story' * John Harris *
'An incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in British culture. Rachel's book captures the daily struggles and contradictions within both the groups and the audience during harsh political times and ultimately delivers a message of positivity and the power of the music to affect social and political change' * Gurinder Chadha, OBE *
'We lived in Britain, a country that had hugely benefited from immigration, but curiously had an innate antipathy to the ideas of multiculturalism and diversity. Daniel Rachel has managed to capture the essence of that contradiction in those Margaret Thatcher governed years, with this comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label.' * Pauline Black, OBE *
'Daniel Rachel has managed to talk to all the significant players and the story he tells is one that shines a light on the challenges of mixing pop with politics. This feels like the definitive story of 2 Tone. Masterful.' * Billy Bragg *
'A great book about a time when record labels meant something and a brief period of hope when it seemed as if music might actually be able to change the world. This is a book about a few exceptionally talented people who came together and created something extraordinary.' * Charlie Higson *
In Daniel Rachel, the great untold story of the post-punk era finally gets the storyteller it deserves. Too Much Too Young is every bit as thrilling, and just as achingly evocative as the music it was written to celebrate... a scintillating read * Pete Paphides *
Daniel Rachel has bagged the whirlwind of 2 Tone with joy, honesty and compassion to create the definitive account of one of Britain's finest youth movements * Suggs *
A brilliant book and a fitting account of one of British culture's most epochal moments. Nothing is left out of this definitive book * The Wire *
Essential read for anyone who ever moonstomped in tonic suit, DMs and stingy-brimmed trilby * MO
ISBN: 9781399607506
Dimensions: 193mm x 130mm x 33mm
Weight: 380g
544 pages