The Gordian Knot Interview with Horace Panter of The Specials

Horace_n_rodd

Charley Anderson formerly of The Selecter has kindly sent a copy of an interview with Horace Panter of The Specials from the Coventry 80's fanzine Gordian Knot.

Back in 1973 Horace sent a letter to Hobo Magazine with a 50p advert enclosed. He was seeking a 'happy band' in need of a bass player with 50 watt gear! Although we printed the advert, owing to lack of money for printing, Hobo came out too late for Horace as he'd managed find musicians at the Lanch poly.

In 1974 he wrote another letter asking if we could advise on places for his band to play.I'd set up the Hobo workshop by then which in 1975 moved to upstairs at the Golden Cross. Horace played for us in a jazz rock outfit with two of my musician friends - Ricky and Andy Cairns. I knew them as Ricky's band. Neol Davis and some of the other later members of Two Tone bands were there although they weren't all playing together at that early stage. Later Horace was in a band called Breaker. The Hobo letters are below and a link to Horace's fuller history - Ska'd for Life. Meanwhile enjoy the Gordian Knot interview.