“Sir Horace Gentleman” anchored one of Ol’ Blighty’s most influential ‘70s ensembles: The Specials.

A master of the 2-tone groove which fused trad Jamaican ska with stripped down new wave rock, Panter and his pals – oft bedecked in ‘60s style rude boy attire (pork pie lids, loafers, mohair suits), scored several UK hits during their golden era which spanned roughly 1979-81.

Panter is also a painter. The Croydon native studied at Lanchester Polytechnic, served as an art educator, and has hosted several exhibits throughout his career.

His autobiography Ska’d for Life is essential reading for rockers beholden to the said genre. Panter’s primary tools of the trade were trad Fender basses – Precision, Telecaster, and Jazz.

Horace Panter Sound & Vision…

“Rudy A Message to You” https://youtu.be/cntvEDbagAw

“Stereotype” https://youtu.be/fxQ5ooPT4Gw

“The Gangsters” https://youtu.be/lgCZN1rU5co

“Rat Race” https://youtu.be/AmkMEoVb6rA

“Ghost Town” https://youtu.be/RZ2oXzrnti4

By Thomas Semioli 

“Hey you! Don’t watch that! Watch this! This is the heavy monster sound!”

Among the most successful musical and video savvy ensembles to emerge from the UK’s late-1970s “2 Tone” ska revival were six barmy lads from Camden Town, London who appropriately dubbed themselves Madness.

With his Fender Precision perfectly tweaked low to further bolster the loveable lunacy of Suggs and his mates, Mark “Bedders” Bedford renders slinky walking bass passages and soulful motifs accented on the upbeat with a decidedly punk attitude that moved a generation – literally!

Doubling on upright, Bedders also waxed sides with Moz, Robert Wyatt, and also plies his craft with The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra formed by the Madness saxophonist. In addition to his Fender P, Bedders among Bedders weapons of choice include the Bass Center Bruce Thomas Signature Bass!

Bedders with Madness!

“Our House” https://youtu.be/oXA6CLTDekw

“One Step Beyond” https://youtu.be/SOJSM46nWwo

“Night Boat to Cairo” https://youtu.be/lLLL1KxpYMA

“House of Fun” https://youtu.be/GJ2X9SANsME

“Baggy Trousers” https://youtu.be/Dc3AovUZgvo

Dig Bedders with Mozzer!

“Our Frank” https://youtu.be/HkqVB8ci1Wc

“Sing Your Life” https://youtu.be/nWszQj2ACw8

Dig Bedders with the Lee Thompson Orchestra Live! https://youtu.be/Fh-t0NTB7cw