A Message To You Rudy
The Specials (Featuring Rico)
Side 1
A Message To You Rudy
Side 2
Nite Klub
Released to promote the bands first album this was a straight cover of the old Dandy Livingstone classic. This single saw the band expanded to a 9 piece with the addition of a brass section in the shape of Dick Cuthell and Jamaican trombone legend Rico Rodriguez. Rico was an ex-pupil of the famous Alpha Cottage School in Jamaica. Among others who attended the school were Tommy McCook, Don Drummond and Lester Stirling.
This single was one of the many double A sides released on the label. On the flip of the title track was the live favourite 'Nite Klub' which included backing vocals by Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, who a few years previously planned to marry Sid Vicious in an attempt to gain British citizenship!. Nite Klub was actually intended to be the band's first single but they "couldn't get the vibe quite right" and opted for Gangsters instead.