The Specials Then: Originally formed in 1977 around Jerry Dammers, Lynval Golding, Sir Horace Gentleman and John Bradbury as The Coventry Specials and changing their name to The Special AKA. They expand their line-up with Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Roddy Radiation and found work supporting The Clash's "On Parole" tour. The band formed the 2-Tone label and sign themselves as The Specials, the bands Madness and The Selecter. They will record 7 U.K. Top 20 hits including "Gangster" a tribute to Prince Buster's ska classic "Al Capone". In 1981, after arguably their biggest hit "Ghost Town", Hall leaves taking Golding and Staples with him under the name the Fun Boy Three. The Specials go back to the Special AKA title and have a hit with the politically themed "Nelson Mandela" demanding freedom for the jailed leader. Now: In 1995, with original members Golding, Staples, Panter and Radiation the band re-forms with the album Todays Specials. Guilty 'Til Proved Innocent! released in 1998 showed the band revived and with a new momentum. A single released titled "It's You" - a minor U.S. hit was helped by a strong tour supporting the album.