What Are The 3 Waves of Ska?

The First wave of Ska began in the early 1960's in Jamaica and lasted mainly until the end of the decade. It moved into Europe, mainly the UK, with the English "blue-beat" movement. First wave ska includes artists like the Skatalites (said to be the original ska band), Desmond Dekker, Laurel Aitkin, and Prince Buster.

The Second wave of SkA came around during the late 1970's and early 1980's. It was especially popular in England and generally became associated with the 2-Tone craze. 2-Tone ska is faster, and uses more horns than traditional first wave ska. Second wave ska includes arists such as the Specials, Madness, and English Beat.

The Third wave of SkA began in the late 1980's and is still going on today. This wave of SkA has had the greatest variation in music style, from punk-influenced bands like Less Than Jake and the VooDoo Glow Skulls to more traditional ska sounds of Hepcat and the Slackers.