The Specials' Neville Staple, who is performing at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds, talks to SuffolkNews about his 2Tone party tour

Two-tone music legend Neville Staple, from The Specials, is dancing, singing and smiling into Bury St Edmunds as part of a special anniversary tour. Cameron Reid chats to the ‘Original Rude Boy’ who celebrates the 40th anniversary of Ghost Town, one of the most iconic hit songs of the 1980’s, with an exclusive 2Tone party tour.

"I’m always excited to go on tour, I love it and I just get that buzz," gushes singer Neville Staple.

Famous as a singer with The Specials, the Jamaican-born musician is gearing up to take a trip down memory lane playing 2-Tone-Ska hits with his band and will be appearing at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds.

Speaking to SuffolkNews at the end of the summer, Neville, 67, said everyone will be enjoying themselves during the special evening on Saturday, October 8, which is one of only seven concerts on the exclusive tour.

He will be joined by special guest Buster Shuffle for the evening.

Neville, who lives in Coventry, cannot wait to get the tour started and is confident everyone will feel the liveliness and excitement of the occasion.

He said: “What can I say you know that’s my life, when I’m on stage, I just get that buzz.”

Growing up listening to music with his family in Jamaica, he credits that as part of the reason why he loves to perform his music so much.

“When you especially mix the two different genres of ska and punk together, that’s when you feel that buzz and I love the excitement of it.

"It’s got so much feeling and energy. “

Neville was born in Manchester, Jamaica, before moving to Rugby in Warwickshire when he was five and then later moved to Coventry at the age of 15 in 1970.

It was in the 1970s that the singer sharpened his toasting skills in the sound system scene in Coventry.

He joined The Specials in 1977, who at the time were called the Coventry Automatics. He started off as their ‘roadie’ (a road crew technician who supports the band) and used to man the mixing desk.

However, the band heard him singing and toasting and asked him to come on stage with them and the Jamaican-born performer hasn’t looked back since.

Two songs Neville is particularly looking forward to performing are A Message To You Rudy and Ghost Town, the latter being one of his most iconic lead vocal hit songs of the 1980s.

“My favourite part about music is gelling it together and then performing it.

“The only thing I’m not good at is stuff on the computer whereas my wife knows all about computers so when I’m in the studio, I just do what I did in the olden days.

“When all these kids came in with computers, I thought I’d let them just get on with it and stick with what I know.”

His wife since 2014, Christine Sugary Staple, 54, has been a hugely important figure in his life and is also a talented musician herself.

“Sugary and I will go into the studio together and I’ll write songs with her. She helps a lot, on a day to day basis. She’s very good for me.

“Sometimes I'll go into town and people will shout ‘Neville!’ and I’ll go talk to them with Sugary. A few times, she has leant her phone to a homeless person, so they can then speak to someone from their family.”

Amongst many of his achievements, Mr Staple also received an Honorary PhD in 2019 for his services to charity and music.

But when asked what his greatest achievement was ‘The Original Rude Boy’ responded: “I’m not going to lie, I’m still doing it. I’m still on stage doing it.

“I’m always proud of what I do, it’s just the way I am.”

To book, call the box office on 01284 758000 or visit: https://www.theapex.co.uk/

Neville Staple and the band are performing at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds on Saturday, October 8 and it starts at 7.30pm.