Strings Bar & Venue in Newport will welcome one of the most profoundly influential bands in Jamaican History – The Skatalites – on Sunday 7th July. The Skatalites served as the indispensable backing band for many legendary vocalists and vocal groups in the early 1960s, including luminaries such as Bob Marley’s ‘Wailing Wailers’, a name that would later evolve into the iconic Bob Marley and The Wailers. Their musical collaborations extended to Toots and The Maytals, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, and countless others. Their instrumental prowess also yielded monumental hits like ‘Man In The Street’ and ‘Guns of Navarone’, setting the stage for and influencing the groundbreaking 2Tone movement towards the end of the 1970s. The sound of ska inspired a wave of influential 2Tone bands such as The Specials, Madness, The Beat, Bad Manners, and The Selecter, as well as innovators like The Police and The Clash. The influence of The Skatalites stretched far and wide, with bands like No Doubt, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Hepcat and Ska-P, as well as many others, drawing inspiration from their sound and infusing their own distinctive flavours into the genre. We must recognise that The Skatalites’ far-reaching impact transcends the boundaries of ska and reggae. Their music resonates across genres, and they have been lauded by artists as diverse as Amy Winehouse, Sinead O’Connor, Grace Jones, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton. Andy Booth, co-owner of Strings Bar & Venue, says:
“This is a unique opportunity to see a collection of iconic musicians up close and personal. Jamaica has exerted an outsized influence on popular music worldwide for over six decades, and much of this profound impact can be attributed to The Skatalites.”
Tickets can be purchased online at www.stringsbarandvenue.com – this is a 16+ show.
