And The Beat goes on

HE'S enjoyed a 30-year career in the music business and shared stages with all the big names of the late 1970s.

Ranking Roger has been there and got the T shirt, but he still remains one of the nicest and most grounded people in the business.

“Opening for bands like The Clash, The Police and David Bowie are some of the most amazing memories I have of the time,” says Roger. “But what I learned from all these people, especially Gordon (aka Sting) and David (Bowie) was to keep both feet planted firmly on the ground and that has been the key to their success. It has certainly helped me.”

Roger himself has managed to sustain a career in music in the intervening years between the demise of the original band in 1983 and their reformation in 2003.

“I have been fortunate enough to live from music from the day I left school aged 16,” continues Roger. “There have certainly been ups and downs – I've had thousands in the bank and I've had absolutely nothing at all. But I've been lucky to be constantly offered collaborations.

“That's partly to do with taking an interest and helping out in up and coming bands – when they make it big they often return the favour by getting me involved.

“But I always thank God for The Beat. That made us a household name that is still recognised now wherever I go.”

With a reputation for a party-style, up-vibe, ska-fuelled live show The Beat enjoyed a bunch of hits in the late '70s, some of which had decidedly political points to make, especially Stand Down Margaret, a clarion call to the Prime Minister of the time.

“We told the BBC it was an old calypso song and got away with it at first, but then we played it on some kids show and there was a massive outcry. The BBC banned it and we were banned from broadcasting on the radio. We lay low by going over to the States for a bit,” he says.

But can political song lyrics change anything? Roger adds: “Well, we asked Maggie to stand down and she did – 10 years later.

“But seriously, to start with I didn't think it was possible, but after the success of the song Free Nelson Mandela – me and Dave sang on it as General Public – which played a large part in raising awareness and the eventual release of Mandela, I do think lyrics can have serious impact.”

And it's partly the political aspect of the songs, in an age where so few bands adopt a political stance, that gives Roger the cult status he has today.

“Maybe that's why we can see so many 17 to 25-year-olds, who weren't even born when we wrote most of the songs, singing along word perfect in the front row,” says Roger. “Nowadays the reformed band gets a brilliant reaction and people come up and say to us, 'we saw you 25 years ago and this is just as good if not better'. We try to keep the spirit of The Beat and by halfway through the set we find that everyone is smiling. I can't believe that's what our music does to people.”

With Roger's son Ranking Junior also in the band, it's very much a case of The Beat goes on. Last year they toured Russia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand – next year they will mark their 30th anniversary with a special tour and possible reunion of the original line-up.

But Roger has only recently become aware of one of The Beat's proudest achievements: “I'm amazed at how many old skinheads have come up to me recently to confess that love of the band stopped them being racist.

“Everyone connects with The Beat and that's what I've always tried to do, to get everyone in the audience involved. Our message has always been peace, love and unity.”

The Beat headline the main stage at Maker Festival tomorrow night.