Only one question for...Paul Williams, the York-born Specials fanclub co-administrator, biographer and fanzine editor, ahead of The Specials' sold-out York Barbican gig on Tuesday

Why are ska legends The Specials so special, Paul?

"WHEN The Specials burst into the UK music scene in 1979, punk had done its last pogo dance and the nation was crying out for something new. However, the country was in a socio-political mess. Racism was rife and nationalism was on the increase, which gave extra power to the growing far right groups that were gaining support across the UK, as unemployment, crime and social unrest dogged the era which also heralded in Margaret Thatcher as leader.

"What was ‘special’ about The Specials? They became the voice of a generation. They united disaffected kids all over the country at their high-octane gigs but they were politically and socially aware, which was reflected ultimately in their songs and lyrics and of course their multi-racial line-up.

"Formed in Coventry and powered by the vicar's son and gap-toothed maestro Jerry Dammers, they encapsulated the Britain of the day in their style of musical genre by mixing the sharp essence of white British punk rock with the groove and rhythm of Jamaican ska and reggae.

"They had style not only from a creative point of view but the band's style of dress, harking back to the Jamaican Rude boy and British skinhead, was cool, sharp and edgy too, and the kids of the day lapped it up. They created their own record label, 2Tone, and took on like-minded bands and helped launch the careers of Madness, The Selecter, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers.

"They sang songs about council estates, teenage pregnancy, about relationships, about taking a stand, about questioning government, everyday material that people could relate to and they never shied away from tackling issues head on. The band took a massive anti-racist stance, often stopping concerts when the National Front tried to infiltrate and the racial aspect was always prevalent in their work. The iconic debut album Specials is a perfect snapshot of the times we were living in then.

York Press:

Paul Williams with The Specials' lead singer, Terry Hall

"After the band disbanded in 1981, just after their magnum opus tune, the prophetic Ghost Town, which was written by Dammers after seeing the decay of British cities while on tour and became the soundtrack to the riots of that summer, there was hope that their mantle would be picked up by another act but for whatever reason this never happened.

"Yes, there were great bands that followed but none employed and enveloped the impact that The Specials had created. The Smiths were more kitchen sink. Oasis failed at it. Blur went a bit further as Specials influences were identifiable in Damon Albarn's writing, but in 2009, when The Specials reformed to great acclaim, it came at a time of more social unrest, dodgy politics, the rise of the far right and high unemployment. In the words of one of The Specials' hits, Do Nothing: "Nothing ever change...”.

"Nothing had changed. A voice was needed and they picked up the baton again. Since 2009, they have toured the world carrying their message of hope and unity.

"One thing is for certain.The Specials will always be special."

The Specials play York Barbican on November 1, 7.30pm; SOLD OUT. Doors open at 7pm.

Paul Williams, who was born in York in 1967 and lived here until 2007, is the founder of The Specialized Project, a fund-raising project inspired by The Specials that has collected more than £100,000 for charity.

He is also the co-administrator of The Specials fanclub, the Coventry band's biographer and fanzine editor and lead singer in the ska band The Skapones, whose forthcoming single, a live version of Message To You Rudy, was recorded with The Specials' Lynval Golding and Jon Read.