British 2 Tone ska band formed in Birmingham in 1978 (officially the Beat in the UK; renamed the English Beat for the US market to distinguish from American singer Paul Collins's the Beat). Long-running classic lineup: Dave Wakeling (vocals/guitar), Ranking Roger (vocals, 1963-2019), Andy Cox (guitar), David Steele (bass), Everett Morton (drums), and Saxa (1930-2017, saxophone).
Released three studio albums during their original run: I Just Can't Stop It (1980), Wha'ppen? (1981), and Special Beat Service (1982). Members went on to form Fine Young Cannibals (Cox and Steele) and General Public (Wakeling and Ranking Roger). Two competing English Beat lineups — Wakeling's American version and Ranking Roger's British version — toured separately for decades; Ranking Roger died in 2019.
