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9781399607490

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'A brilliantly vivid account of one of British pop culture's most inspiring movements - surely the definitive telling of the 2 Tone story.' * John Harris * 'An incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in British culture. Rachel's book captures the daily struggles and contradictions within both the groups and the audience during harsh political times and ultimately delivers a message of positivity and the power of the music to affect social and political change.' * Gurinder Chadha, OBE * A great book about a time when record labels meant something and a brief period of hope when it seemed as if music might actually be able to change the world. This is a book about a few exceptionally talented people who came together and created something extraordinary. * Charlie Higson * 'We lived in Britain, a country that had hugely benefited from immigration, but curiously had an innate antipathy to the ideas of multiculturalism and diversity. Daniel Rachel has managed to capture the essence of that contradiction in those Margaret Thatcher governed years, with this comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label.' * Pauline Black, OBE * 'Daniel Rachel has managed to talk to all the significant players and the story he tells is one that shines a light on the challenges of mixing pop with politics. This feels like the definitive story of 2 Tone. Masterful.' * Billy Bragg *

'I was there from the beginning of the first 2 Tone tour in 1979. Rachel's book is an incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in my life. As one of Britain's greatest youth movements, 2 Tone stood for anti-racism, anti-sexism and bringing young people together through the power of music. For a short period, 2 Tone dominated British culture and changed lives like mine forever. Rachel's book captures the daily struggles and contradictions within both the groups and the audience during harsh political times and ultimately delivers a message of positivity and the power of the music to affect social and political change.' * Gurinder Chadha, OBE * 'A brilliantly vivid account of one of British pop culture's most inspiring movements - this is surely the definitive telling of the 2-Tone story' * John Harris * 'We lived in Britain, a country that had hugely benefited from immigration, but curiously had an innate antipathy to the ideas of multiculturalism and diversity that we still struggle to embrace in today's society. Daniel Rachel has managed to the essence of that contradiction in those Margaret Thatcher governed years, with this comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label.' * Pauline Black, OBE * 'The music and style of Caribbean immigrants had a huge influence on British youth culture in the 60s and 70s. By tapping into that energy, the Specials created a potent symbol of black and white unity at a time when racism was rife, inspiring many to take a stand against discrimination. Daniel Rachel has managed to talk to all the significant players and the story he tells is one that shines a light on the challenges of mixing pop with politics. This feels like the definitive story of 2 Tone. Masterful.' * Billy Bragg *

A SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 #2 UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 A RESIDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 'A brilliantly vivid account of one of British pop culture's most inspiring movements - surely the definitive telling of the 2 Tone story.' * John Harris * 'An incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in British culture. Rachel's book captures the daily struggles and contradictions within both the groups and the audience during harsh political times and ultimately delivers a message of positivity and the power of the music to affect social and political change.' * Gurinder Chadha, OBE * A great book about a time when record labels meant something and a brief period of hope when it seemed as if music might actually be able to change the world. This is a book about a few exceptionally talented people who came together and created something extraordinary. * Charlie Higson * 'We lived in Britain, a country that had hugely benefited from immigration, but curiously had an innate antipathy to the ideas of multiculturalism and diversity. Daniel Rachel has managed to capture the essence of that contradiction in those Margaret Thatcher governed years, with this comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label.' * Pauline Black, OBE * 'Daniel Rachel has managed to talk to all the significant players and the story he tells is one that shines a light on the challenges of mixing pop with politics. This feels like the definitive story of 2 Tone. Masterful.' * Billy Bragg * In Daniel Rachel, the great untold story of the post-punk era finally gets the storyteller it deserves. Too Much Too Young is every bit as thrilling, and just as achingly evocative as the music it was written to celebrate... a scintillating read * Pete Paphides * A brilliant book and a fitting account of one of British culture's most epochal moments. Nothing is left out of this definitive book * The Wire *

Author Information

Solihull-born Daniel Rachel is a regular contributor on BBC Radio 5 Live and lives in north London with his partner and three children. He is the author of Isle of Noises (a Guardian and NME Book of the Year), Walls Come Tumbling Down (winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize), When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O'Neill (editor), Don't Look Back in Anger and co-writer of Ranking Roger's autobiography I Just Can't Stop It: My Life in The Beat.

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