Steve Gullick
Tributes poured in from across the world for The Beat’s Ranking Roger who passed away on 26 March, aged 56. The Birminghamborn musician, real name Roger Charlery, had been diagnosed with two brain tumours and lung cancer in August 2018. Friend and 2 Tone label founder Jerry Dammers was first to pay homage: “Roger was the youngest contributor to the British ska movement, his talent, boundless bouncing energy, humour, common sense politics, and very positive and friendly attitude, was an inspiration to anyone who ever met him or saw him perform. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. If one person had to be picked to epitomise everything that was good and positive about the British ska movement and its youthful spirit, I think it would have to be Roger.”
Neville Staple echoed those sentiments on Instagram: “I’m devastated to lose Roger, my Special Beat partner. My whole band and I are so saddened and I will miss Turbo so badly. Rest up Turbo (personal name we had for each other, or Double Turbo when we performed together).”