VIVE LE ROCK BOOK OF THE YEAR
I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life In The Beat
Ranking Roger with Daniel Rachel
“I had a connection to The Beat – I cut two records with them in the Eighties and had the best time: their lyricism, charm and energy were part of my growing up. Watching them smash the audience to bits during the David Bowie Glass Spider tour was one of the highlights of my life. Roger’s story is one of struggle, fame and survival. Enjoy.”
Sir Lenny Henry
“The mid Seventies was one of the most influential periods in the history of British pop music, and my friend Roger was at the centre of this febrile and explosive clash of cultures – uniquely placed to document the excitement of those times – the heady joy of success, the political turmoil, the inherent racism, as well as the brotherly bond of musicians struggling to make themselves heard within it.”
Sting
On 26 March 2019 Ranking Roger died at the age of 56. He had just completed writing his life story. Omnibus Press will publish I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life In The Beat by Ranking Roger with Daniel Rachel on June 13th. The book’s Special Edition will include a 7” single featuring two previously unreleased Ranking Roger demos: ‘Beatman’ b/w ‘Inna England’, originally recorded for The Beat in 1981. Also included are high quality limited edition prints and a selection of Beat badges.
I Just Can’t Stop It is the story of Ranking Roger’s life in one of music’s most influential multicultural bands at the centre of the 2-Tone revolution born in the Midlands in 1979. As a founding member, Roger and The Beat went on to have era defining hits including Mirror in the Bathroom, Hands off She’s Mine, Stand Down Margaret and Can’t Get Used To Losing You, November 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of their debut single Tears Of A Clown.
Roger first met The Beat when The Dum Dum Boys invited them to try out for a support. “After the first few numbers I thought, my God we don’t stand a chance, The Beat were that good.” After a few guest MC slots, and a flirtation with joining UB40, Roger signed up for The Beat full time, and began a breakneck four years when the band recorded the classic album I Just Can’t Stop It, and went from being a Birmingham club band to playing US stadiums touring with The Clash, The Police and Talking Heads, among others.
Limited Special Edition book includes 7” single featuring 2 previously unreleased Ranking Roger demos originally recorded for The Beat. Pre-order: HERE
Daniel, Roger, and Ranking Jnr, The Roundhouse, London 2018
Playlist by Ranking Roger including a’Best of the Beat’ compiled by Daniel