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JERRY DAMMERS - DAMMERS ACCUSES THE SPECIALS OF 'DRIVING HIM OUT' OF REUNION
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DAMMERS ACCUSES THE SPECIALS OF 'DRIVING HIM OUT' OF REUNION
Legendary musician JERRY DAMMERS has slammed his former THE SPECIALS bandmates' 2009 reunion plans - insisting he has been "driven out" of their comeback tour.
The British ska band is preparing to reform for a string of gigs across the U.K. in spring (09) after their successful appearance at Britain's Bestival show in September (08) - the first time the group had played together since their 1981 split.
Earlier this year (08), frontman Terry Hall confirmed that Dammers wouldn't join the group on their forthcoming tour, but claimed that "the door remains open" for his return.
However, Dammers alleges his former bandmates made it clear he wasn't to be part of the reformation - insisting they failed to tell him about the group's comeback plans.
A statement on behalf of Dammers says, "Jerry has a duty to inform anybody who may be interested of the true situation, which is that he was not invited to take part in this proposed tour, or even told about it.
"He also has to say that claims that 'the door is still open' to him fail to mention that Jerry has been driven out every time he has attempted to get involved over the last year. He also wonders why this appears in the newspaper when former bandmates have his phone number?"
And Dammers claims he was given a "severe dressing down" by his bandmates during a meeting in which he proposed ideas for their comeback.
The statement adds, "A meeting was called to which Jerry was not invited. Jerry turned up anyway and played the music he had started recording, and suggested starting serious rehearsals, but was subjected to a severe dressing down from people who had barely spoken to him in 25 years.
"Jerry sees this whole thing as a takeover, rather than a proper reunion... At the moment this is not the proud reunion and 30th anniversary celebration Jerry had hoped for."
Dammers returned to the spotlight in June (08) when he took to the stage at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations in London's Hyde Park with Amy Winehouse. The pair performed a duet of the rocker's Free Nelson Mandela anthem.
The Specials are scheduled to play a series of shows throughout April and May (09).
11 December 2008 12:17
Tags: JERRY DAMMERS - The Specials
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View all comments (3) - Comment on this story
screen name:
lymphomaniac 
(1)
posted on 07/09/2009 16:31
Dear Jerry,
I know that what I say is not ever going to be earth shattering or ever likely
to change the world.
but on a genuine note I would like to personally thank you, for making a
differnce in my life.
Your music I grew up with ,The Specials a big part of my life and culture in
making me who I am today.
So I am sad that you and the band, Terry espescially,Are having such a SAD
DISAGREEMENT.
I saw the band at the bestival. and last year went through bone cancer for the
2nd time in ten years.
I saw you less than a month ago at the Madness gig on the Island and thought
you were great espescially the tribute you paid to Suggs & the lads.
I love your DJ sets but God I love you in the specials.I don't know what the
future holds for me but I have been given another spell of life to use for God
knows how long?
Seeing you as I did after this 2nd lot of Cancer and seeing Madness & you on
the Sunday and Simply Red & Anistashia the month previous.Has meant much more
than anything you could imagine.
I have had a glimpse at my life over again and it has shown me that certain
things good and bad would not change the decisions I made in my life nor should
they.Life is not a practice its an EVENT and worth all we go through.
Your music believe it or not was with me in hospital on my laptop when going
through the horrendous stem cell transplant for 3 months in solitary
confinement and played 24 hours a day and the nurses say about how much i loved
my music.
With out you and the Specials Madness and all the Ska artists I would of been
so alone.
I think what ever size concert you decided to play to yours fans, they would
love it and if like me they look back on life they NOW REALISE that they
appreciate you NOW more than the first time around.
Even Suggs has said that the audiences are demanding them more now than ever
before.
IT WOULD BE THE SAME FOR THE SPECIALS.
Please give the fans and yourselves another shot at even better things I know
you would fill any venue and TERRY should Know 30000 fans would fill an arena
to see you and the gang no problem.
If He cant believe in the band and himself he should at least BELIEVE IN THE
FANS.
God Bless THE MUSIC AND YOU in all you do
Lots of love
Keith Maddern
screen name:
causi ( 1)
posted on 12/12/2008 08:58
if black and white people can unite its about time the specials did too... ps
you are all very lucky that you can taste the feeling of what success u all had
b4..AND 4 ta fans too to have another dance..
