I’m writing an oral history about the birth of American ska and reggae called Ska Boom: An Oral History About The Birth of American Ska & Reggae that will be published by DiWulf Publishing later this year or in early 2020. I've created this podcast to document the book writing process and in this podcast I’m telling the story of the 1993 Skavoovee tour of the U.S. featuring the Skatalites, Special Beat, the Selecter and the Toasters which had much to do with expanding the popularity of ska across the U.S. The podcast includes interviews with vocalist Coolie Ranx of the Toasters/Pilfers, Randy "Now" Ellis of City Gardens fame, who was the Skavoovie tour manager and Special Beat keyboardist Sean Flowerdew.
I'm pretty sure that show at Liberty Hall in Lawrence (the flyer posted) never happened. I have the same flyer and was going to go but then it didn't happen. Not sure what happened.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know! There is very little online about that tour and I could only find this picture.
ReplyDeleteHi. Is there any way you could fix the link to the General Public demos? Would appreciate it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSkavoovie I don’t specifically remember although I think I saw all the Special Beat shows of that era in and around New York, What I remember was Skalapalooza at The Ritz with the Skatalites, Toasters and Bad Manners. If there was anyone else, I’m not sure, but the Skatalites certainly played more than three songs.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite tour memories was The Skalapaloza gig at The Ritz. I got to drink backstage with Lloyd, I think I shared his drums that night...I wish I had more pictures of that night, hoping someday someone will load some on the web!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the Lawrence show, but I definitely saw that tour in St. Louis, it was amazeballs. I still have the ticket stub, it was the day after this flyer, on Nov. 2 1993.
ReplyDeleteI saw that tour at City Gardens! Still have the t-shirt to prove it
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