Daniel Rachel – Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story

‘In Conversation With’ and Book Launch

Press release

White Rabbit publish the definitive guide to the legendary 2 Tone Records written by the bestselling British author Daniel Rachel. Titled Too Much Too Young The 2 Tone Records Story : Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation, the book maps out the journey of one of the UK’s most influential record labels that became a movement that shook up the nation with its rebellious spirit, fighting against the injustices in society and took the fight against the right wing extremism in the country.

In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles.

The music of 2 Tone was exuberant: white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed 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. Borrowing £700, the label’s first record featured ‘Gangsters’ by The Specials’ backed by an instrumental track by the, as yet, unformed, Selecter. Within two months the single was at number six in the national charts. Dammers signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers as a glut of successive hits propelled 2 Tone onto Top of the Pops and into the hearts and minds of a generation. However, soon infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination.

Still under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, 2 Tone entered in a new phase. Perhaps not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation the label nevertheless continued to thrive for a further four years releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in ‘(Free) Nelson Mandela’.

Told in three parts, Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.

Author, Daniel Rachel, said: As a child, 2 Tone defined the way I saw the world. I was seduced by the off-beat rhythms, the cool looking clothes and most importantly the social and political lyrics. 2 Tone taught me about black and white unity, it gave a voice to the pointlessness of street violence, and it provided an understanding and awareness of the horror of rape and apartheid. That you could dance, look good and be educated by a record was incredible. This music and these bands have printed an indelible mark on my life. To write the story of 2 Tone is one of profound personal pride. But more so, to honour one of the greatest periods in modern popular culture. 2 Tone at its heart was a movement of great songwriters, musicians and songs – We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown!

A TIMES / SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

AN UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR

A RESIDENT MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR

A LOUDER THAN WAR BOOK OF THE YEAR

A BLITZED BOOK OF THE YEAR

AURAIST CHOICE: BEST WRITTEN NON-FICTION

PENDERYN MUSIC PRIZE LONGLIST 2024

A brilliant book…nothing is left out of this definitive book WIRE

A disputatious, colourful & rife with contradictions UNCUT

Superb…Rachel writes with the undimmed passion and enthusiasm of the teenage tonic-suited rude boy VIVE LE ROCK

An exceptional portrait of Britain at a crucial time IRISH TIMES

An essential read…fasten your seat belts, rudies’ MOJO

A must-read for anyone interested in 2 Tone, ska or British music history LOUDER THAN WAR

A brilliant, insightful book & nothing short of definitive RECORD COLLECTOR

An incredible white-knuckle ride told with real love, style and attention to detail DO THE DOG

The ideal match of author and subject JON SAVAGE

The definitive telling of the 2 Tone story JOHN HARRIS

An incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in British culture GURINDER CHADHA

A comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label PAULINE BLACK

Just as achingly evocative as the music it was written to celebrate… a scintillating read PETE PAPHIDES

The definitive account of one of Britain’s finest youth movements SUGGS

Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story

Daniel Rachel