EP116: Horace Panter (The Specials)

Today's fascinating episode features musician, artist and author, Horace Panter.

Horace, known professionally as  as Sir Horace Gentleman, was a member in of my all-time favourite groups, The Specials

Panter met Jerry Dammers while a student at Lanchester Polytechnic and the two of them formed The Specials. 

The group enjoyed many hits including ‘Gangsters’ ‘Rat Race’ ‘Sterotype’ and ‘Ghost Town’ which stormed to the top of the charts back in June, 1981. As discussed in the interview, this seminal track truly reflected what was going on in Thatcher’s Britain at the time, terrible unemployment, social unrest and riots. The song was hailed by the contemporary UK music press as a major piece of popular social commentary

Horace talks about his current group The Dirt Road Band, his art and the exhibitions his put on, writing his book ‘Ska'd for Life’ and his time in The Specials, who in my humble opinion are one of the most influential British bands ever.