Can't Get Used To Losing Ranking Roger

Photo: flickr.com

Those who know me know my love for ska music. The news that Ranking Roger, lead singer of legendary ska band The Beat, has died after a period of illness was like a dagger to my heart.

I loved The Beat. I'm proud to say I've seen them many times over the years. Their sublime musical talent, their ceaseless energy, their gift of being able to lift one's spirits when they are at their lowest will be with me forever.  Songs such as Mirror In The Bathroom, Hands Off She's Mine, Too Nice To Talk To, Doors Of Your Heart - became classic numbers. They also did superb cover versions of Can't Get Used To Losing You and Tears Of A Clown.

Ranking Roger - real name Roger Charlery - was a ska icon, bouncing across the stage with boundless energy. His call to the many fans who adored him during gigs - 'RUDE boys....RUDE girls' was greeted with tumultuous cheering and the band would reel off their classic numbers while the audience danced along and lapped up the raucous atmosphere.

It was what The Beat did best. Their music invoked a feelgood factor and I have never been to one of their gigs which I didn't enjoy or feel so much better afterwards.

Roger was just 56 years old - a year younger than I am which underlines that none of us are immune from tragedy. In recent years, his son Ranking Junior, joined him on stage and it was obvious the influence his father had on him.

A few years ago when The Beat were playing in Edinburgh - if my memory serves me correctly it was at the Picture House venue, now a damned pub at the foot of Lothian Road - I was standing at the bar before the gig when Roger suddenly appeared. He was courteous, friendly and nothing was too much trouble for him with fans eager to be seen with the great man and shake his hand, as I did. It was a moment I'll never forget.

As The Beat memorably sang, 'Can't Get Used to Losing You' it's a song which all too sadly rings true today.

Rest easy, Rude Boy.

The Beat

A few weeks ago, I read that The Beat were heading to Edinburgh. I immediately dropped everything and purchased tickets to see the legendary ska band. I've seen The Beat several times now and they never disappoint - Saturday's gig in Scotland's capital city was a brilliant as ever.

In the intimate, although some might say claustrophobic, atmosphere of The Liquid Room, Ranking Roger and son belted out all the classics much to the delight of the appreciative audience. Mirror in the Bathroom, Too Nice to Talk To, Hands Off, She's Mind and Tears of a Clown were greeted with raucous applause. Even three decades later, Stand Down Margaret  - an 80s plea to the former Prime Minister to go - brought a huge ovation, particularly from those of us who suffered under the policies of the Thatcher government.

A great night, as I had anticipated - and, as always, The Beat always deliver.

If Carlsberg Made Saturdays...

...they would be like Saturday 20 March 2010.

In the early afternoon I watched Hearts demolish Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby. Read about it here: http://ontheterracing.blogspot.com/2010/03/heart-of-midlothian-2-hibernian-1.html

Okay, it was only 2-1 to Edinburgh's finest football team but it could - and should - have been much more.

Later, I caught some of the action on the television from Dublin as Scotland's rugby players recorded a rare victory - their first in the Six Nations this season - by defeating Ireland 23-20 at Croke Park. Their unexpected win denied the Irish another Triple Crown.

To round things off, I headed to Edinburgh's Picture House music venue to see the legends that are The Beat in concert. The master purveyors of ska and reggae were on top form as usual - even if Ranking Junior's mobility was restricted as he had done his back in! Meanwhile, his father Ranking Roger pranced around on stage like he was a child! The Beat gave us all the old classics - Save It For Later, Ranking Full Stop, Best Friend among many - as well as some impressive new songs.

Yes, Saturday was a grand day!

Guess There's No Use in Hangin' Round...

Guess there's no use in hangin' 'round
Guess I'll get dressed and do the town
I'll find a crowded avenue
Though it will be empty without you

I can't get used to losing you
No matter what I try to do
Gonna spend my whole life through
Loving you

Called up some girl I used to know
After I heard her say, "Hello"
Couldn't think of anything to say
Since you're gone it happens every day

I can't get used to losing you
No matter what I try to do
Gonna spend my whole life through
Loving you

I'll find somebody, wait and see
Who am I kidding, only me
Cuz no one else could take your place
Guess that I am just a hopeless case

I can't get used to losing you
No matter what I try to do
Gonna spend my whole life through
Loving you


A video of The Beat's excellent cover version is to the right of this blog.

The Beat in Edinburgh

I had the pleasure of being at The Beat gig at Edinburgh's Picture House on Friday evening. One of the earliest of the British ska revivalist groups, The Beat formed in 1978, and skanked up the charts with the likes of 'Mirror in the Bathroom' and 'Stand Down Margaret' - a message to Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. Last night they had their adoring audience bouncing as they performed all their classics - and Stand Down Margaret turned into Stand Down Gordon...

I've seen the band several times before and they never disappoint (not even a slight technical problem could spoil last night's show)

Excellent stuff and hugely enjoyable. If you ever get the chance to see them live, I highly recommend you do so.