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Two tone legend heads to Birmingham

Two tone legend Dave Wakeling swapped his Birmingham home for a life touring the US with his band The English Beat more than 30 years ago. He talks to Sarah Probert about politics and coming home

Dave Wakeling, singer of The Beat

It was standing in the middle of Handsworth thrusting a stick through a letterbox when Dave Wakeling reflected on his future.

Hours before he had been on stage for the final time with his band The Beat supporting David Bowie at Milton Keynes Bowl in 1983.

But a dream opportunity which could have seen the Birmingham band tour America with the rock legend led to Dave’s desperate attempts.

“I knew I was leaving but I hadn’t really told everybody,” the singer explains.

“We did two shows with David Bowie and the very last one he ran up to me and said we were the best band ever and could we tour the US with him for three months.

“I had already put my notice of resignation through the office door because it wasn’t working, we weren’t really up for doing it anymore.

“I went back to the Birmingham office in Handsworth and I got a stick of willow from a tree and I stuck it into the letter box to try and get the letter back because David Bowie had just given me this wonderful offer.

“ But every time I put the stick in, the letter went further away.