Pauline Black-Legends Of Ska

Pauline Black is of Nigerian descent and grew up in London. She studied biochemistry at Coventry University and radiography at the Coventry School of Radiography.

In 1979, she became the lead singer with 2-TONE group the The Selecter and enjoyed a string of hits in the early '80'S, gaining two gold discs. In 1982 she left The Selecter (the band split up soon after), gained her Equity card and diversified into theatre, TV and film acting, TV and radio presentation and writing.

The Selecter re-formed in 1991 and toured extensively in U.S.A, Europe and Japan. The band retired from the touring circuit in December 2006. From 2001-2006, Pauline also toured with acoustic 'supergroup' Three Men+ Black with Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers), Jean Jacques Burnel (The Stranglers), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), Dave Wakeling (The Beat), Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers) and Nick Welsh (Skaville UK).

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During 2007, Pauline fulfilled a long-time wish to pay homage to the songs of her two idols, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. She toured with The Blue Jazz Trio (Pick Withers: drums (ex-Dire Straits & Bob Dylan) Nigel Portman-Smith: double bass (ex-Pentangle) & Dom Pipkin: keyboards (ex-Morcheeba) in 'The Very Best Of Nina Simone & Billie Holiday'.

Enjoying her new found freedom in 2007, she narrated 'Soul Britannia', a critically acclaimed 3 part TV series for BBC4/ BBC2 and then hosted and performed in two televised live concerts from the Barbican Theatre in London featuring many of the artists from the series. Backstage she met Geno Washington & Eddie Floyd, who invited her to join the 'This Is Soul Tour 2008', which saw her host and perform on a highly successful 30 date UK tour with these two legends of soul music. Pauline performed a set of songs culled from her solo back catalogue and from The Selecter.

Currently, Pauline has begun work on a new solo album with songwriting partner Neil Pyzer (ex-Spear Of Destiny, Ram Jam Band). She has also been invited to provide details of her life story for a new feature film about four young black people growing up in Coventry in the late 70's, the four protagonists are based on the lives of Pauline, Neville Staple(The Specials), Danny Thomas & Errol Christie. This project has led her to begin writing her memoirs.

2009 is the 30th anniversary of the legendary '2-Tone Label', which was spearheaded by The Specials & The Selecter. Pauline will be involved in several celebratory concerts throughout next year. In March 2009, she embarks on her first South American tour, with concerts in Argentina, Brazil & Chile.

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