Originally formed in 1977 as The Coventry Automatics, The Specials combined Jamaican ska and Rocksteady mixed with the energy of punk and launched a whole Ska Revival which helped fellow like-minded bands Madness, The Beat and The Selecter to release their first singles. The Specials first single, Gangsters, was released in May1979 with independent distribution by Rough Trade and the initial pressing of just 5,000 records sold out. The band and label soon signed with Chrysalis Records who picked upon the release of Gangsters. The next single, A Message to You Rudy, followed in September with their first album released soon after in October.
![The Specials - The Specials [NATIONAL ALBUM DAY]](https://d2j6dbq0eux0bg.cloudfront.net/images/12156072/4599126614.jpg "The Specials - The Specials [NATIONAL ALBUM DAY]")