Neville Staple

As a member of the Specials, Neville Staple helped launch the U.K. ska revival of the '80s, and went on to a long career as a vocalist and toaster, making an impression on both the ska and rock communities. After releasing their debut single in 1979 on their own 2-Tone label, the Specials became a major success in the U.K., and kickstarted a massive international revival of ska. Despite their success, the Specials burned out quickly, and in 1981 Staple joined fellow former Specials Terry Hall and Lynval Golding in the Fun Boy Three, and later teamed with Ranking Roger, formerly of the Beat (aka the English Beat), to form a group called Special Beat. ~ Mark Deming