2-Tone Lives and Legacies

 

2-Tone Lives and Legacies.

by Pete Clemons

One of the things I admire the most about football is that, regardless of who scored that all important winning goal in a cup final, the whole team tends to be recognised for their achievements and immortalised for evermore.

And sadly that's where, on occasion, music lets you down. As the focus is set to certain individuals and not the band. But what is patently unique to 2-Tone, particularly the music, and unlike other music genres. The songs were derived from multiple sources. Some more obvious than others.

A new exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and titled 2-Tone lives and Legacies is, in the main, about one life and that persons legacy. And even that was selective. Yes, team photographs adorn the wall along with display items and the odd quote from some of the other players. But you do have to go searching for detail of the greater musical picture.

That said it was a good exhibition and well worth a visit. There are some fascinating items and photographs on display, such as the bowling shirt where Walt Jabsco, the Peter Tosh caricature, was named after. There was also a great bit of footage that showed the Binley Road / Walsgrave Road junction pre Sky Blue Way. And the items were all exceptionally well presented.

The tour of the exhibition got off to a good start. You were greeted with an excellent film loop of priceless photographs of bands such as Urge and Gods Toys from venues that long hit the dust. Also in the first area there was also a display of Alternative Sounds magazines.

But from then on it all got a bit detached with more attention gravitating to just one individual. And you came away having to remind yourself that it was in fact a band effort. Well, many bands actually. A good overview but far from the complete story. Overall an opportunity missed.

2-Tone, although its roots can be traced back to the early 1970s, and still influences many today, was a musical movement that was at its height between 1979 and 1981. That means that for 40 years Coventry has benefited from its legacy.

Before the inevitable end of season back slaps and awards are distributed for their no doubt successful campaign I think Coventry should maybe acknowledge, in some way, the greater picture of 2-Tone. And particularly all the musicians, record producers and photographers who were all there at the start and who sacrificed so much in order to make it all happen.

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Below is Pete Chambers review for the Coventry observer.