I just heard on Gideon Coe’s show that Ranking Roger has passed away. He was only 56.
Another R.I.P.
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Musings on the byways of popular culture
Musings on the byways of popular culture
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I just heard on Gideon Coe’s show that Ranking Roger has passed away. He was only 56.
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I loved The Beat when they first started. Must have seen them over half a dozen times. Ranking Roger seemed a mere child at the time, especially next to Saxa. Nevertheless, he had great charisma and his toasting was an essential part of the sound. That debut album is still a marvel.
RIP. Two of the best gigs I ever saw were by The Beat – 30 years apart.
I never managed to see the original band live but I’ve seen Roger’s version of the band many times, always amazed at the energy, enthusiasm and sheer likeability of the guy. I’m very sad today, RIP Roger.
I am astonished he was even 56, such a boy he seemed back then. Wasn’t the ancient Saxa youngr than that when he joined?e
The impossibly “ancient” Saxa was in his late 40s when they came on the scene. Makes me feel pretty old, Ranking’s age actually (for a few more days}
Loved and love the Beat. There had been some talk of an anniversary tour
this year with a joining of the two versions. Sadly not to be but the sheer joy of that band in their day surpassed even the Specials.
Just played the first album a couple of days ago for the first time in ages. What a delight it was but how sad Roger has now gone
I can’t get over how young he was. He must only have been about 15 when they had their first hit.
16, it would seem (1979). Pretty amazing though.
As I’ve said before. Madness or The Specials? Answer. The Beat. They’ve come up often on my post round Ipod shuffle, always bring a smile. Roger added a certain something quite joyful. RIP indeed…
I saw them once in the original incarnation, but they remain the soundtrack to the summer of 1980 for me.
Four of us driving around and camping in the south of France with I Just Can’t Stop It probably the most regularly played tape in the car, with “Ands off mi daughtaaaa” becoming the catchphrase of the trip.
I still have the first album as a crackly old vinly… will have to give it a blast later.
The second album Wh’Appen is just as good, and not just because of the brilliant title (though that helps)
RIP Ranking. Only a couple of years ago I was watching him flinging himself around on stage with The Beat looking in rude (boy) health – superb front man and he did a fine job carrying the Beat flame over here while Wakeling has largely been taking care of ‘English Beat’ business in the US.
Brilliant band The Beat – somewhat underrated but easily the equal of The Specials and Madness – if you’re not convinced play one of the ‘Best Ofs’ and you’ll find naggingly familiar tunes and a ton of dancefloor bangers.