Neville Staple

Neville Staple is a Jamaican-born singer and toaster associated with Coventry’s 2 Tone movement. He moved to Britain as a child and developed his musical approach through sound systems before joining the group that became the Specials. His vocals, toasting and stage presence contributed to the band’s fusion of Jamaican ska and British punk.

After the Specials’ original line-up split, Staple formed Fun Boy Three with Terry Hall and Lynval Golding. He later worked with Ranking Roger in Special Beat and continued as a solo performer, recording albums including Rude Boy Returns and Return of Judge Roughneck. His career connects sound-system practice, pop experimentation and successive ska revivals.