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This is a list of notable bands and musicians who performed primarily ska or ska-influenced music for a significant portion of their careers. Original (starting in late 1950s) Aubrey Adams. Laurel Aitken. Roland Alphonso. Theophilus Beckford. Val Bennett. Ken Boothe. Baba Brooks. The Blues Busters. Prince Buster. The Clarendonians. Jimmy Cliff.
Apr 18, 2022 · We’ve compiled a list of the 100 best ska bands of all time, spanning all sub-genres of ska music. From classic bands like The Specials and Madness to newer groups like Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish, you will definitely find a ska band on this list to suit your taste.
- The Specials. 3,694 votes. Starting off with a bang, The Specials were pioneers of the 2 Tone and ska movement that erupted in the late '70s and early '80s.
- Madness. 3,040 votes. Next up, Madness have etched their name in the annals of ska history with their distinctive blend of British pop and classic ska influences.
- Toots & the Maytals. 1,764 votes. Toots & the Maytals are a Jamaican musical treasure, with a career spanning over five decades. Often credited as the originators of reggae, they've made an indelible mark on ska music as well – providing the soundtrack to countless summers and inspiring generations of musicians.
- The Skatalites. 2,670 votes. As one of the original ska bands, the Jamaican-born Skatalites were instrumental in shaping the sound of the genre. Formed in the early '60s, their unique blend of jazz and Caribbean rhythms set the stage for countless other ska acts to come.
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- Goldfinger. Formed: 1994. Best Known Track: Superman. Goldfinger, formed in the mid-nineties, contributed to the third-wave ska movement and still tours occasionally today.
- No Doubt. Formed: 1986. Best Known Track: Don’t Speak. Potentially the biggest ska band of all time, No Doubt was everywhere in the ’90s, blowing up all the radio stations with hits like “Spiderwebs” and “Don’t Speak”.
- The Specials. Formed: 1977. Best Known Track: A Message to You Rudy. Having formed all the way back in the seventies, The Specials have continued to make music to the day, even boasting a number one spot on the UK Albums Chart with their 2019 album Encore.
- The Aquabats! Formed: 1994. Best Known Track: Super Rad! aren’t just an influential ska band, they’re also the superheroes of ska! Still touring today, The Aquabats are renowned for their upbeat songs and comedic personalities, and for always putting on a hilariously entertaining show.
- Reel Big Fish. Even music aficionados who aren’t well-versed in ska recognize the name of Reel Big Fish. The band, which formed in Orange County in the 1990s, quickly became a fixture of third-wave ska with their debut album, Turn the Radio Off.
- Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones borrowed the sound of SoCal ska-punk but with roots in Boston. The band began playing together in 1983 and continued until they decided to call it quits in early 2022.
- Madness. Notable for their two-tone ska style, we have the English band Madness. They formed in 1976 and had quite the success from the onset and into the early 1980s.
- The Specials. UK-based The Specials is a ska band with inextricable political ties. Commenting on youth, culture, interpersonal relations, and global events, they contributed perhaps the most foundational ska sound to their country in the 1980s and beyond.
Dec 27, 2023 · I’ve compiled a vibrant collection of the best ska bands of all time, featuring the most famous groups that have defined and evolved this infectious genre. These bands represent the upbeat rhythms and cultural significance that ska music has brought to the world stage.
Dec 19, 2023 · In fact, I think the names that appear in this list of the best ska bands of all time will probably surprise you. 1. Madness. From the UK, the band Madness had a number of hits in the late 70s and into the 80s, but I had to add them to the list.
