The Specials

Following their reunion in 2009, Paul Williams charts the meteoric rise, fall and revival of the band, with unprecedented access to band members and those close to them, a remarkable level of research and an irresistible enthusiasm for both The Specials and the 2-Tone culture which grew up around them. This new and expanded edition of 'You're Wondering Now' contains over 30,000 words of new material, and takes us around the world several times as the reunited band were rightfully elevated to their position among British pop music royalty. Also including an updated complete discography and gigography, track-by-track detail and analysis and a brand-new foreword from Madness guitarist Chrissy Boy, this is an essential read for those who were there, fans of 2-Tone and ska and for anybody with an interest in a band whose political voice - one that often spoke out in isolation for the repressed and the disregarded - grows more relevant year on year. Much loved, much missed and absolutely irreplaceable, The Specials continue to appeal to fans old and new, and 'You're Wondering Now' provides a perfect accompaniment for anybody on that journey. Paul Williams is a lifelong Specials and 2Tone fan, Managing Director of The Specialized Project (a charitable music-based events, record label and fund-raising project), co-admin at The Specials Fan club, and lead vocalist in the popular modern 2Tone ska band The Skapones. He lives with his family in Darlington, County Durham. He will be giving readings and appearing at selected ska and 2-Tone festivals around the release of the book, including Madness' 'House Of Fun' weekender in November 2025.