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Throughout the year, eight 2-Tone Trail plaques will be unveiled at various locations around the city, all of them at sites significant in the history of this iconic ska movement.

Around each plaque ceremony there will be other 2-Tone events, like comedy improv nights, live ska gigs, and the one currently running at The Lock Gallery at the Canal Basin. Setting The Two Tone is an exhibition of superb black and white photographs by John Coles taken of The Specials in 1979.

Roddy Radiation and Horace Panter

On 15 January, Roddy Byers and Horace Panter did the honours and unveiled the first of the plaques at the Canal Basin (with myself and Councillor Tony Skipper doing the introduction speeches). This site was where the covers of the first Specials album was photographed in 1979 by Chalkie Davies and Carol Starr, the plaque itself was sponsored by Coventry Market.

It was an emotional moment for me personally to see a lot of my hard work come to fruition, and finally see something tangible in Coventry dedicated to 2-Tone. Of course this is just the start, and there’s plenty more to come. Indeed the next plaque is unveiled on 27 February at the Binley Oak, Paynes Lane - the venue where The Specials first began playing Ska, and where The Selecter finally got it together. Along with the plaque, Ska band the Allskas will be recording their first single live at the venue.

You can see photos of the unveiling of the first plaque by clicking on the link below:

The first eight plaques will be cited at the following locations:

The Canal Basin,

It was here in 1979 where photographers Chalkie Davies and Carol Starr took a set of iconic images that graced the cover of The Specials' albums.

The Binley Oak

It was in the back room of this public house that The Specials unique ska sound was originated, and where Pauline Black first sang with The Selecter.

Coventry University (The Lanch)

Jerry Dammers and Horace Panter of The Specials and Pauline Black of The Selecter attended this University.

The Holyhead Youth Club, (Lower Holyhead Road)

it was here that reggae and blues jam sessions took place between musicians that would become members of The Specials and The Selecter.

Mr George’s site (Lower Precinct)

The Specials played a four month residency here as The Automatics.

Tiffany’s site (Central Library)

2-Tone bands, The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, The Swinging Cats and The Bodysnatchers all played at this once popular venue.

51 Albany Road

The Birthplace of 2-Tone

The Horizon Studios site (Central Six)

It was at this renowned studio that The Selecter and The Specials recorded much of their classic work.