About this Event

AGMP Concerts presents



RHODA DAKAR



+ Emily Capell



Vocalist with The Bodysnatchers & The Specials (Official) brings her band The LoTek Four to Southend.



Rhoda Dakar made her first public performance at the age of 9. Growing up opposite the Ram Jam Club in Brixton, with a father who was a Jazz Singer and Actor, Rhoda immersed herself in music from a young age. She had front row seats for David Bowie's Aladdin Sane Tour at the Lewisham Odeon in 1973 and saw the debut UK show from The New York Dolls the same year. She hung out with the "Bromley Contingent" in the Punk boom and was close friends with Cook & Jones from The Sex Pistols.



After being introduced to Nicky Summers by Shane MacGowan, Rhoda joined The Bodysnatchers as lead vocalist. After only a few concerts the band were signed to 2-Tone Records and released their debut single "Let's Do Rock Steady" - a cover of the Dandy Livingstone song. The Bodysnatchers supported The Specials, Toots and the Maytals and The Selecter before splitting in 1980.



Rhoda Dakar featured on the "More Specials" album by The Specials and then released "The Boiler" single billed as Rhoda with The Special A.K.A. featuring Nicky Summers. Rhoda joined The Special A.K.A. for 1984's "In The Studio" album where she co-wrote the Elvis Costello produced "Free Nelson Mandela" single.



After guesting with Dr. Robert and Madness ( on their "The Liberty of Norton Folgate" album in 2009 ) Rhoda recorded the "lost" album by The Bodysnatchers in 2014 billed as "Rhoda Dakar sings the Bodysnatchers". 2017 sees a new release "The Lotek Four, Vol. 1" and a headline UK Tour along with selected dates as special guests of From the Jam.



Rhoda Dakar - Vocals

Lenny Bignell - Guitar

Mark Claydon - Drums

Terry Edwards - Saxophone

Paul Tadman - Bass

Louis Vause - Piano