Daniel Rachel

BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC
2023-12-19 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
A veritable feast of music, guests and fun with Daniel Rachel

Craig speaks to Daniel Rachel, author of ‘Too Much Too Young – The 2 Tone Records Story’. They also chat about his first band Rachels Basement and recording at Rockfield Studios.

Also on the show, we unwind in the 6 Music Zen Den, pop the top on the Jar of Ska, and you get to choose what banger we end the show on, so get your requests in. E-mail: craig@bbc.co.uk

Daniel joins Craig Charles on BBC Radio 6 Music at 2pm to talk about his career. And then at 3pm for Jar of Ska…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001t0bx

Sky News Breakfast
2023-12-21 09:30 - 22:00 UTC
Daniel will be a guest on Sky News Breakfast at 9.30 am on Thursday 21 December talking about his new book Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story with presenter Anna Jones.
Please note this has been re-scheduled form earlier in the month

BBC Hereford & Worcester, BBC Stoke & BBC Shropshire,
2024-01-02 14:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London)
Afternoons with Toni McDonald
Daniel will be chatting to Kate Justice about Too Much Too Young: the 2 Tone Records Story on BBC H&W, BBC Shropshire & BBC Stoke at 2:40pm, 4:10pm & 4:20pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gz2rqp
Available on BBC Stoke, BBC Shropshire, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Off Air with Jane & Fi
2024-01-10 15:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Off Air with Jane & Fi
I will be h Fi and Jane’s ‘big guest’ chatting about t Too Much Too Young : the 2 Tone Records Story

Fresh from their new Times Radio show Jane Garvey and Fi Glover keep the mics on, grab a cuppa and say what they really think – unencumbered and off air. If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email janeandfi@times.radio

Subscribe via:
APPLE
SPOTIFY

Boogaloo Radio
2024-02-15 19:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London)
In conversation with Ted Kessler, talking Too Much Too Young: the 2 Tone Records Story

https://boogalooradio.com/

Walthamstow Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club
2024-02-20 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Sharing stories about 2 Tone Records with Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers / The Specials / The Special AKA) and host Miranda Sawyer

Event by Walthamstow Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club

Walthamstow Trades Hall 61-63 Tower Hamlets Road,London,E17 4RQ,GB

Tickets
via Eventbrite

Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation
A SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
#2 UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 A
RESIDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
PENDERYN PRIZE 2024 SHORTLIST
We are thrilled to welcome prize-winning Daniel Rachel to Walthamstow Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club at Walthamstow Trades Hall for an evening of discussion, debate and brilliant music.
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. It spoke of injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism. 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.
Daniel with be joined by RHODA DAKAR singer and musician, best known as the lead singer of The Bodysnatchers, who were signed to the 2 Tone record label.
The discussion will be hosted by MIRANDA SAWYER .
AUDEINCE Q&A, BOOK SIGNING AND DJ’S playing the very best selection of Ska and 2 Tone. Plus the Trades Hall cheap bar.
PRESS REVIEWS
Gurinder Chadha, OBE
‘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’
John Harris
‘A brilliantly vivid account of one of British pop culture’s most inspiring movements – surely the definitive telling of the 2-Tone story’
Pauline Black, 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.’
Billy Bragg
‘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.’
Charlie Higson
‘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.’
Pete Paphides
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
Suggs
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
The Wire
A brilliant book and a fitting account of one of British culture’s most epochal moments. Nothing is left out of this definitive book
MOJO
Essential read for anyone who ever moonstomped in tonic suit, DMs and stingy-brimmed trilby

Faversham Literary Festival
2024-02-24 17:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London)
Daniel Rachel and Charlie Higson

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 the definitive post-punk youth movement was born. Charlie Higson, comedy writer and actor from The Fast Show, fronted The Higsons, a band featured on the label. Daniel and Charlie chat about the political and social backdrop to the music, covering racism, class and gender struggles. Chaired by Siân Pattenden.

Event Information

Event Date
Sat 24 Feb 5:00pm

Individual Price
£12.00

Venue
Shepherd Neame Old Brewery Store

Categories
All events, 24 February (Saturday), Music & Art, Culture & Diversity

Tickets

Sound Affects: 2 Tone/Mod Special Brighton
2024-03-10 19:00 - 21:30 (Europe/London)
Details

This is a night dedicated to two-tone and mod with June Miles-Kingston, Eddie Piller and Daniel Rachel
Speakers:
June Miles-Kingston – As a drummer, singer and song-writer, she co-formed all girl band the Mo-dettes in 1979. She went on to work with the Funboy 3, Everything But the Girl, the Communards, and many others. June is also a prize-winning Filmmaker. Her current film project uses my personal archive to encapsulate my experiences as a female musician throughout the Eighties.
Daniel Rachel – Former musician-turned-bestselling author whose previous works include: “Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters”, “Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia” and “The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up?”. His new book Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story : Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation is the definitive guide to the legendary 2 Tone Records. The book maps out the 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.
Eddie Piller – Writer who has just released his best selling biography “Clean Living Under Difficult Circumstances” which looks at his life up to the age of 23. In his spare time he runs the indie label Acid Jazz and the independent radio station Totally Wired Radio. Past glories include owning Hoxton’s legendary Blue Note club.
TICKETS: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sound-affects
Sound Affects is a night of talks about music and subcultures, how sound affects us and how music changes the world. It’s organised and hosted by journalist and documentary filmmaker Jak Hutchcraft.
£10 entry.
East Street Tap in Brighton.
Follow @SoundAffectsNight on Instagram.

Two-Tone/Mod Special: Daniel Rachel, June Miles-Kingston, Eddie Piller, more TBA
East Street Tap
Brighton

Sun 10 Mar 2024,
7:00PM – 9:30PM

Bristol Cube Microplex: MUSIC, CULTURE AND ANTI RACISM: THE 2 TONE STORY
2024-03-14 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
MUSIC, CULTURE AND ANTI RACISM: THE 2 TONE STORY
Film, talks and discussion about 2 tone and its relevance today.
Thu 14 March // 20:00
Tickets: £5 (full)
BOOK TICKETS

Film, talks and discussion.

Author of ‘Too Much, Too Young: The 2 Tone Story‘ discusses his book and the wider questions of music, culture and anti-racism in conversation with Bristol Poet and educator at Cargo; Lawrence Hoo and Publisher, Sociologist and Musician, Pete Webb of PC-Press and UWE.
Before the discussion there will be a film showing of the BBC Arena programme on 2 Tone called ‘Rudies Come Back’.
This event is sponsored by PC-Press and Sociology at University of the West of England.
Thursday 14th March – 7 – 11pm. £5 entry in advance.

~
Pic: Lawrence Hoo

Press reaction to ‘Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Story’:
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
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!
Publisher, Lee Brackstone said: The music and the aesthetic of 2 Tone set the dial for the prevailing mood of the counterculture in the 1980s, and we’re still feeling the aftershocks of the extraordinary achievements of the label four decades later. Through exhaustive interviews with the major artists and those associated with the label and deep research, award-winning writer Daniel Rachel brings the story of 2 Tone to life: the joy of a uniquely creative moment which arguably did more than any other to challenge racism and class prejudice in Britain, and in the process enlightened a whole generation of fans and created a catalogue of unparalleled quality. Essential reading.
Birmingham-born Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose previous works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters (a Guardian and NME Book of the Year), Walls Come Tumbling Down: the music & politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge (winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize), Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia (An Evening Standard and Metro Book of the Year), The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up? (Guardian Book of the Day and Amazon No. 1 Bestseller), One For The Road (The Life & Lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene) Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever (with Jill Furmanovsky – A Sunday Times Bestseller), When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O’Neill (editor) and co-writer of Ranking Roger’s autobiography I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life in The Beat (a Vive Le Rock Book of the Year). In 2021, Daniel was a guest curator of 2 Tone Lives & Legacies exhibition as part of Coventry Cultural City 2021 and curated the anniversary edition of the Selecter’s debut album Too Much Pressure.

Laugharne Weekend
2024-03-17 03:30 - 05:30 (Europe/London)
Daniel will be discussing Too Much Too Young: the 2 Tone Records Story
https://www.thelaugharneweekend.com/line-up
Millennium Hall 4pm

LINE UP / YN CYMRYD RHAN

Here’s a list of the first acts confirmed for March 15-17, 2024. The tickets have all sold out, but you can join the waiting list in case people can’t come, and also live stream some acts for £10. Go to TICKETS.

​
Alexei Sayle, Cerys Matthews & Arun Ghosh, Mike Brearley, James Brown, Isy Suttie, Martin & Eliza Carthy, Caitlin Moran, Robin Askwith,Tracey Thorn, Sali Hughes, John Niven, Martin Rowson, Nick Revell, Luke Wright, Chris Bryant, Tim Burgess & Helen O’Hara, Allan Jones, Sheena Patel, Kiri Pritchard McLean, Daniel Rachel, Catherine Taylor, David Stubbs, Dan Stuart, Daljit Negra, Fflur Dafydd, Robin Ince, The Secret Tory MP, Pete Paphides, Fflur Dafydd, Catherine Taylor, Natasha Walter
​Click Here To Buy Tickets

THE SOUTHBANK CENTRE PRESENTS
2024-03-21 07:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Too Much Too Young: The Story of 2 Tone Records
Samira Ahmed, author Daniel Rachel, singer Pauline Black and Madness bassist Mark Bedford

21 Mar, 7.15pm

Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Literature & poetry
£12

closedJuliet de Vie

Samira Ahmed, author Daniel Rachel, singer Pauline Black and Madness bassist Mark Bedford discuss 2 Tone: the music, label and moment that shaped British culture.

In Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story, award-winning author Daniel Rachel chronicles the soundtrack of a generation.
A Times/Sunday Times Book of the Year, the book is the definitive account of one of the most influential and innovative musical movements in British history: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles.
At the forefront of that movement was Pauline Black’s band The Selecter, who exploded onto the scene in 1979 with their iconic frontwoman, one of the few women in the 2 Tone scene.
Using the book, images and footage from the time, along with their own recollections, our three speakers will reflect on the impact of 2 Tone and its resonance today.
Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed presents Newswatch on BBC1 and Front Row on Radio 4, where she regularly interviews rock and pop musicians. She grew up in south London in the 1970s and 1980s with a passion for pop music.
Daniel Rachel is a Birmingham-born, best-selling author whose previous works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters; Walls Come Tumbling Down: The Music and Politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone, and Red Wedge and Don’t Look Back in Anger: The Rise and Fall of Cool Britannia.
Pauline Black is a key figure in the music community, as well as an author, actor and style icon, and was awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours list.
Mark Bedford is the bass player and founder member of the band Madness. He made his first record with the band when he was 17 years old and went on his first tour when was barely 18. That tour was the 2 Tone tour. He continues to record and tour the world with Madness. Their work has brought them two Ivor Novello Awards, a Silver Clef Award and an Olivier Award. Their latest studio album, Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est la Vie, reached number one in November 2023.

Need to know

Age recommendation

For ages 16+

Event information

The house opens at 7.15pm with a 2 Tone DJ set from Daniel Rachel, followed by the conversation and an audience Q&A.
A book signing by the author takes place after the show.

Dates & times

Thu 21 Mar, 7.15pm

Price

Standard entry£12*
Concessions25%**

* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.
** Limited availability. Read about concessions.

Tickets can only be sold through the Southbank Centre and our authorised agents, and can’t be resold. You can return your tickets to the Southbank Centre for a credit voucher up to 48 hours before the event. Tickets resold on any third-party platforms will become invalid.

BBC WM
2024-03-27 16:50 (Europe/London)
Talking to Mollie Green about #ThisTown and my book Too Much Too Young : the 2 Tone Records Story on Wednesday morning BBCWmusic

Also picking up the conversation on BBC Radio 4 Front Row with Samira Ahmed, Thursday 28th 7.15pm

BBC RADIO 4 FRONT ROW
2024-03-28 19:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London)
I’ll be discussing the new 6 part BBC drama, This Town directed by Steven Knight with
Samira Ahmed and Sarah Gaventa

2 Tone The Story BBC Radio WM
2024-03-30 14:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London)
Daniel has contributed to this #2tone documentary

2 Tone The Story
2024-04-01 18:00 - 19:00 (Europe/London)

Arts Online
2024-04-04 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London)
Thursday, 4 April

Rachel Mayfield – Arts Online – Daniel Rachel

Rachel Mayfield Arts Online, a weekly inspirational arts and healing arts event on Zoom

Date and time

Thu, 4 Apr 2024 19:00 – 21:00

19:00 – 20:00

Guest Author Daniel Rachel & Q&A

Arts Online with Rachel Mayfield – Special Guest Author Daniel Rachel – The Art of Interview & Music Journalism
Musician turned award-winning Author Daniel Rachel will discuss his personal writer’s journey, his writing process and style, and the story behind his inspiration while sharing ways to interview and write on music. This is a first-of-its-kind interview with Daniel. If you are interested in music, Indie Rock, Ska, Bowie, Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, and so much more, don’t miss this opportunity to meet, talk, and be inspired by Daniel Rachel, who is an expert on the subject.
View More about Daniel Rachel at Daniel Rachel – Musician-turned-award winning author
Be inspired and stay connected to your creative mind at this weekly drop-in online event. Pour your favourite drink, get comfortable and log on wherever you are. Each week will be unique, with guest speakers, Q&A, themed discussion and creative workshopping. Whatever your art form, writing, music or multimedia, there will be something to light up your world. The sessions are interactive, you will be encouraged to share your thoughts and discuss your ideas and creative work. However, taking part in the conversation or workshopping is optional. You can join as an audience member and listen in with your camera off if you prefer. All are welcome, whether at the beginning or further along in your creative life. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to join Rachel Mayfield and connect with fellow creators. Sign up now to secure your spot in this inspiring creative cafe!
See more about Rachel Mayfield at
Home | Rachel Mayfield Arts
Music | Rachel Mayfield (bandcamp.com)
Instagram @RachelMayfieldArts
Event Details:

Date: 04/4/2024
Time: 7 pm
Location: Online

Upstairs at the Commercial Inn
2024-04-11 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Daniel Rachel – Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story

Thu 11 Apr 2024 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
The Commercial Inn, SK13 7SH

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

LOCATION
The Commercial Inn, SK13 7SH

Freedom Sounds Festival - Cologne
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-20
I will be in conversation at the festival with Joe Scholes and special guests Rhoda Dakar (Bodysnatchers / Specials / Special AKA) and Penny Layton (Bodysnatchers).
Book signing of Too Much Too Young, Walls Come Tumbling Down and I Just can’t Stop It (My Life in The beat Ranking Roger)

Home

Heath Literature & Music Festival
2024-04-21 15:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
White Rabbit Books: ‘Too Much, Too Young’ – Two-Tone Music with Daniel Rachel and Pauline Black
21st Apr 2024 2:45pm – 4pm
at Hare & Hounds

70 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham, B14 7JZ

This event is 15.00-16.00 followed by book signing.
Join best selling British author Daniel Rachel, author of ‘Too Much, Too Young. The 2 Tone Record Story: Rude boys, Racism and The Soundtrack of a Generation’, with special guest, iconic front woman of The Selecter, Pauline Black.
Daniel and Pauline will be in conversation with Lyle Bignon.
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.
Birmingham-born Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose previous works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters (a Guardian and NME Book of the Year), Walls Come Tumbling Down: the music & politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge (winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize), Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia (An Evening Standard and Metro Book of the Year), The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up? (Guardian Book of the Day and Amazon No. 1 Bestseller), One For The Road (The Life & Lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene) Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever (with Jill Furmanovsky – A Sunday Times Bestseller), When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O’Neill (editor) and co-writer of Ranking Roger’s autobiography, I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life in The Beat (a Vive Le Rock Book of the Year). In 2021, Daniel was a guest curator of 2 Tone Lives & Legacies exhibition as part of Coventry Cultural City 2021 and curated the anniversary edition of The Selecter’s debut album Too Much Pressure.Performer, singer, artist, band leader and songwriter, Pauline Black has dedicated four decades to the music scene and is an undisputed icon of British music. Supporting and campaigning for racial equality throughout her work, she describes herself as first and foremost, a singer. Pauline was awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours and received an Honorary Degree from the University of Warwick in the same year.
A lifelong love of music inspired by punk and reggae artists from the 1970s led Pauline to join The Selecter and a career that has seen her travel across the world to share her passion and artistry with hundreds of thousands of fans. The Selecter went on to become a platinum-selling band and one of the most influential within the 2 Tone music scene, alongside others including The Beat, The Specials and Madness. Pauline Black is one of very few women in the 2-Tone scene – she is often referred to as the Queen of Ska.
From childhood to fame, from singing to acting and broadcaster to writer, from adoption to her search for her birth parents, Pauline shared her story of music, race, family and roots in her critically acclaimed memoir ‘Black By Design.’
She celebrated her 70th birthday in 2023 and is still performing live with The Selecter and recording new music. The Selecter is co-fronted by original member Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson with original drummer Charley ‘Aitch’ Bembridge.Lyle Bignon is a UK and European music, media, and PR consultant; music writer, and Night Time Economy Ambassador for Birmingham. A champion of all things music and NTE in his home city, Lyle works with artists, bands, bars, clubs, communities, DJs, labels, organisations, producers and venues. He has delivered hundreds of launches, premieres, projects, and tours spanning opera to grime, Qawwali to sludge metal, and folktronica to punk rock, and worked with some of the biggest names and brands in music over the past 20 years.
Lyle has written for or broken stories across international media including Arte, BBC, CBS, Channel 4, Classic FM, CNN, The Guardian, ITV, Metro, Mixmag, Music Week, NBC, NME, The Daily Telegraph, and The Times.
His lobbying and campaign work alongside policymakers, academics, business leaders, and industry continues to highlight and address issues affecting music and the NTE at a local and national level.
This event is part of ‘The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival’ which is supported using public funding by National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Tickets

General Admission
E-TICKET
Ticket grants entry.

£6.50+ £0.30 fee

Next

An Evening of SKA, REGGAE & 2 TONE
2024-04-27 20:30 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
Too Much Too Young: Ska, Reggae & 2 Tone Records
Come & celebrate the music of 2 Tone with 3 hours of dancing and guest DJs.
Dance to the infectious rhythms of The Specials, Madness, The Selecter, The Beat, Bad Manners, UB40 and the music that made 2 Tone.

The last night sold out -so please buy early to avoid disappointment…

GUEST DJs
DON’T CALL ME SKA FACE
Growing up on 2 Tone got me into the Birmingham ska scene at a young age, I found other young people with a mutual love for the sound of Ska, Rocksteady and Boss reggae. I work with people involved in the subculture to keep the scene alive, and celebrate the music!
DANIEL RACHEL
Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author. In 2021, Daniel was a guest curator of 2 Tone Lives & Legacies exhibition as part of Coventry Cultural City 2021 and curated the anniversary edition of the Selecter’s debut album Too Much Pressure. His most recent book Too Much Too Young: the 2 Tone Records Story was an Uncut, Blitzed, Louder Than War and SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR and longlisted for PENDERYN MUSIC PRIZE 2024

EDDIE PILLAR
Established Acid Jazz record label and the independent station Totally Wired Radio. Eddie recently published the bestselling memoir Clean Living Under Difficult Circumstances. His past glories include owning Hoxton’s legendary Blue Note club and as teenage painting the beta girl on his Harrington with Typex.

Signed copies of Too Much Too Young’ the 2 Tone Records Story available to buy on the night.

As Terry Hall said, ‘Enjoy Yourself and have bags of fun!’

https://fb.me/e/1q18opEdr

Phoenix - Changing Hands
2024-04-30 18:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London)
Daniel will be discussing 2 Tone and his new book Too Much Too Young

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast
2024-05-12 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story – Stuart Bailie in conversation with Daniel Rachel
The Black Box (Green Room)
Sunday 12 May, 7.00pm
Doors 6.30pm | Unreserved seating
£7.00
BUY TICKETS
Author Daniel Rachel joins us to talk about his new book 2 Tone: The Music, label and moment that shaped British Culture.
A SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
#2UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
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. It spoke of injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism.
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.

Tickets also available from:
Visit Belfast | 028 90 246 609
9 Donegall Square North – Open 7 days a Week

Here Comers The Weekend
2024-05-26
WWW PRESENTS HERE COMES THE WEEKEND!
Sponsored by Modfather Clothing Company & DRC Shipping
25 & 26 MAY 2024 – Doors 12pm

We’re very excited to announce that HERE COMES THE WEEKEND! is returning to Woking FC on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th May 2024!

And we are honoured to have in conversation, The Jam’s drummer, Rick Buckler! Rick will be talking about the heady days of the rise of the band from local Woking haunts to Number 1’s, touring the world and in depth chat about the recording of some of the key moments in The Jam’s career.

Also they’ll be Q&A’s with award winning author Daniel Rachel (Walls Come Tumbling Down, Too Much Too Young, Cool Britannia), award winning documentary director Bob Smeaton (About The Young Idea – The Story of The Jam, The Beatles Anthology, Classic Albums) and author Ian Snowball (Thick As Thieves, Sounds From The Studio).

Live music comes from Small Fakers, the no 1 tribute to The Small Faces. (PW’s fav all time band.) We also have the return of teenage sensations The Molotovs! (More acts to be announced.)

Dan Jennings from the Paul Weller Fan Podcast will be MC for the weekend.

Tufty Tours will be taking place each morning as Steve Carver and pal Sam Molnar take a coach load of Paul Weller acolytes around the Woking area to places of significant interest and haunts from Paul’s youth, as well as places The Jam rehearsed and played, before hitting the charts.

If you’ve not been on one as yet, make sure you don’t miss out!

Richie Scooted and Booted will have his decks set up to DJ throughout each day with Sonny, and we will have a screen set up so those who want to watch the FA Cup Final as well.

We’re also putting a stage in this year so everyone can see the bands properly!

The Modfather Clothing Company will have their stall again and another Scooter Rideout will take place on the Sunday morning.

There are both indoor and outdoor bars, food vans, outdoor seating, free parking and free overnight secure parking for scooters and motorbikes.
Come and join us!

Weekend tickets £90 / Weekend tickets with Tufty Tour £100
*WEEKEND PASSES WILL BE SENT SPECIAL DELIVERY IN EARLY MAY*

Woking F.C.
Laithwaite Community Stadium
Kingfield Road
Woking GU22 9AA

*Weekend & Tufty Tour tickets on sale Thursday 23rd November at 8am from www.sddproductions.co.uk

Birmingham Ska & Reggae Festival
2024-06-01
Daniel will hosting a conversation with Rhoda Dakar (Bodysnatchers / Special AKA), Basil Gabbidon (Steel Pulse) and members of Symarip.
Daniel will be signing copies of Too Much Too Young: the 2 Tone Records Story

Decades: THE 1990s: Cool Britannia with Miki Berenyi
2024-06-18 19:00 - 21:30 (Europe/London)
THE 1990s: Cool Britannia with Miki Berenyi, Daniel Rachel and Martin Green
From Union Jack dresses to Britpop chart battles on the night-time news, the Nineties was a time when Britain – and especially London – seemed to swing once again. Hedonism and hope appeared the order of the day but could dashed opportunities and orgiastic excess have been nearer the mark?
Miki Berenyi was co-founder in 1988 of Lush, a band who swiftly transitioned from shoegaze icons to Britpop darlings, and the author of the peerless memoir, Fingers Crossed: How Music Saved Me from Success.
Daniel Rachel is a musician turned award-winning writer, whose books include Don’t Look Back in Anger: The rise and fall of Cool Britannia, told by those who were there
Martin Green is a DJ, writer and curator, who in the early 1990s founded the Club Smashing. Based in Eve’s on Regent St it would become the epicentre of the Brit-Pop scene with regulars including Jarvis Cocker, Damon Albarn and Damien Hirst.
With the author Travis Elborough, they’ll ponder the age of Riot Girls and lad mags, alcopops and New Labour.
https://centuryclub.co.uk/the-1990s-cool-britannia-with-miki-berenyi-daniel-rachel-and-martin-green/

BRITISH ROCK READY FOR THE 80s & ITS AFTERSHOCKS
2024-07-02 19:30 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Join us for a rare screening of British Rock Ready for the Eighties: Punk and its Aftershocks + Q&A with director Wolfgang Büld and the authors Daniel Rachel, Cathi Unsworth, and Richard Weight

doors: 7:00 start: 7:30
Tickets: £10

TICKETS

This sequel to the Munich-based filmmaker Wolfgang Büld’s classic doc, PUNK IN LONDON, finds punk not dead but Britain now on fire with the fresh sounds and street styles of Ska, Mod and New Wave.
An unmissable snapshot of the musical landscape of the nation in 1979, BRITISH ROCK READY FOR THE EIGHTIES: PUNK AND ITS AFTERSHOCKS features live performances and exclusive interviews with the likes of The Clash, The Jam, Ian Dury, The Pretenders, Secret Affair, Spizzenergi, The Boomtown Rats, Gary Numan, and 2-Tone pioneers The Specials, Madness, and The Selector.
Büld will be joined in a discussion about the film and the sounds and fashions of the late 70s by the authors Daniel Rachel (Too Much Too Young), Cathi Unsworth (Season of the Witch) and Richard Weight (Mod) hosted by pop culture historian Travis Elborough.
Don’t miss this rare screening of one of rock’s finest documentaries and a portrait of Britain on the cusp of enormous musical, political and social change.

Wolfgang Büld is a German-born but London-based filmmaker, scriptwriter and producer who studied at the University of Television and Film in Munich. His graduation film in 1977 was the music documentary PUNK IN LONDON, which became an instant international cult classic and resulted in two sequels before Büld branched out into making feature films.
Birmingham-born Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose books include Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia and Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story.
Cathi Unsworth is a lifelong Goth. A teenage music journalist turned acclaimed crime writer and biographer of punk icon Jordan, her latest book, Season of the Witch: The Book of Goth, is a personal and social history of an enduring counter-culture – one that steadfastly refuses to give up the ghost.
Richard Weight is the author of the acclaimed MOD From Bebop to Britpop, Britain’s Biggest Youth Movement and the forthcoming Pleasure Island: Drugs & the British, A Global History.
The author and broadcaster Travis Elborough has been described by The Guardian as ‘one of Britain’s finest pop culture historians.’

Idler Festival
2024-07-06 12:30 - 13:30 (Europe/London)
Click on the names below to find out more about the speakers.

ANIEFIOK EKPOUDOM ARTHUR SMITH BEN MOOR BILL ANDERSON CALEB AZUMAH NELSON CATHERINE FITZGERALD CHARLIE HIGSON CHRIS LINTOTT CLARE POLLARD DANIEL RACHEL DIVYANAND CAIRD DJ PAULETTE ELLA BERTHOUD EMILY’S WALKING BOOK CLUB GAVIN PRETOR-PINNEY GEORGIA MANN GUY HAYWARD GUY STANDING HARRY MOUNT AND JOHN DAVIE HENRY ELIOT JOHN-PAUL FLINTOFF LOUISA YOUNG LOUISE WINTER LUCIA STUART LUCY COOKE MARK VERNON AND ROBERT ROWLAND SMITH MICHAEL FRAYN MIXMASTER MORRIS NATALIE WILDGOOSE NINA STIBBE OLIVER BROADBENT (OF THE MUDFLAPPERS) OLIVIA LAING PARIS 68 REDUX RACHEL KELLY REBECCA FRAYN ROB ORCHARD ROSIE HOLT ROWAN WILLIAMS SALENA GODDEN SUNDRA LAWRENCE SUSIE DEANE TIM KEY VIRGINIA IRONSIDE ZADIE SMITH

Bradford Literary Festival
2024-07-07 13:30 - 14:30 (Europe/London)
TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG: THE 2 TONE RECORDS STORY

DESCRIPTION
Join musician-turned-award-winning-author, Daniel Rachel, for the incredible story of the watershed moment that, for a time, shaped British pop culture.
In 1979, the 2 Tone label exploded into the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst into the charts and an iconic 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, and taking the fight against right-wing extremism.
Highlighting the challenges of mixing pop and culture, Too Much Too Young is the fascinating story of an iconic music label and the soundtrack of a generation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DANIEL RACHEL

Birmingham-born Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose previous works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters, Walls Come Tumbling Down: The Music & Politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge, Don’t Look Back in Anger: The Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia, The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up?, and Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever. In 2023, Daniel published Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story to enormous critical acclaim.

ABOUT THE CHAIR

AAQIL AHMED

Professor Aaqil Ahmed is the former Head of Religion and Ethics at both the BBC and Channel 4. He is currently a Media, communications and diversity consultant and a Professor in media. Aaqil is a Non Executive Director of a number of organisations including The Advertising Standards Authority, OFCOM and The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

BLF 2024

Sunday, 7 July 2024 | 13:30 – 14:30

The Studio, The Alhambra Theatre, BD7 1AJ More Info

Event Reference: CC24001

£7.00
Discounts & Concessions

Book Now

Blur: To The End
2024-07-20 07:00 - 22:30 (Europe/London)
SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 20

Blur: To The End – Film screening and director Q&A

Dreamhouse Records and SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD present a very special screening of the new Blur documentary ‘To The End’ in a unique E11 venue

Dreamhouse Records and SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD present a very special screening of the critically acclaimed new Blur documentary ‘To The End’, which follows the journey of the band as they come together in 2023 to record new songs ahead of their epic sold out Wembley Stadium shows.

The event, hosted in one of Leytonstone’s most charming venues, will also feature a post-film Q&A with director Toby L and Daniel Rachel, as well as a special Blur quiz with the chance to win some fantastic band merchandise.
There will be a pop-up bar with beers from Libertalia Brewing Co. and wines from Theatre Of Wine.
Please note that the screening will take place upstairs at the venue, and there is no lift.

By Dreamhouse Records

Date and time

Saturday, July 20 · 6:30 – 11pm GMT+1

Location

Good Shepherd Studios
15A Davies Lane London E11 3DR

Ventnor Fringe Festival
2024-07-23 19:30 - 20:30 (Europe/London)
The Story of Two Tone

Author Daniel Rachel discusses his definitive book about a label and musical movement that shaped British culture. Developed in Coventry in the late 70’s, 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial mix of British and Caribbean musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. One for all Rudies out there!

Show Information
Duration 60mins (no interval) Age Suitability: 12+ Culture / Unlimited Pass 2for1 Tickets Yes
Accessibility Information
Access: One step to building, steps to toilets. Wheelchair Spaces: No Accessible Toilets: No Standing/Seated: Seated

Location

Ventnor Arts Club
13 High Street
Ventnor
Isle of Wight
PO38 1RZ
