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A Benefit Concert for Jerry Miller
The Untouchables
October 15, 2024 by David Jackson
In 1981, the world of music as we knew it was about to be turned on its head. Sure, ska was a hit in Jamaica – it was its original sound after all; it was the father of reggae. It blew up in the ‘80s in England, but a band from Los Angeles made it cool to be Mod.
Calling Los Angeles home, The Untouchables knocked down the doors and gained international acclaim as the first ska act in the U.S.
The early days of The Untouchables featured Clyde Grimes, who played a wicked guitar, Chuck Askernesse on vocals and acted as toaster extraordinaire, and the incomparable Jerry Miller was behind the mic.
The energy, the electricity, the showmanship and soul this band displayed was unparalleled.
Affectionately known as the UTs, these cats put out an era-defining sound; they moved the flagpole and brought the dance craze from England to this side of the pond.
Yes, there were other bands that came along later in the ‘80s and ‘90s (that’s another story for another day), but if not for The Untouchables, who knows what third, or fourth wave ska would have looked like – or even if it would become a reality.
Songs like “Free Yourself,” “Wild Child,” “I Spy for the F.B.I.,” “What’s Gone Wrong,” and more recently, “Hooked on a Feeling” delivered a sonic vision that was ear candy to those who gravitated to a more dance-themed delivery of ska.
These songs captured the collective hearts and souls of fans worldwide.
Whether you were in North or South America, Europe, or Japan, you knew the UT’s music was destined to be a part of the soul of the genre – past, present, and future.
Time marched on and we lost Clyde Grimes back in 2016, and earlier this month, we received the devastating news that the world of ska lost a pioneer: Jerry Miller passed on October 3rd after a long-term illness he had been fighting for quite some time.
“I like to feel like I feel, I like to do what I wanna do, I like to go where I go, cause I feel it in my soul!”
FREE YOUSELF
The Untouchables
Photo by The Corona Chronicles
Inasmuch as we are saddened by his passing, fans from coast-to-coast and around the world chose to celebrate his life with the joy that Jerry shared his talent and love for music with all of us.
The bottom line: the impact of his talent is undeniable.
To honor his life and legacy and celebrate all he has done for the world of music, there will be a benefit concert taking place October 28th, 2024 at the Glass House in Pomona.
The benefit show will have performances by music-industry heavyweights, A Flock of Seagulls, Oingo Boingo Former Members, The English Beat, Dramarama, Bow Wow Wow, and Josie Cotton.
The word is there may also be a few surprises. Most importantly, we’ll get to hear the songs that started it all – music from The Untouchables.
Sometimes bands are part of music history. Every once in a great while, if we’re lucky enough, we get to see the bands who are history. This night will be just that; a night we won’t forget anytime soon.
The number of hits we will hear on October 28th is just completely insane.
Get ready for “Weird Science,” “Save It for Later,” “Anything, Anything,” and “I Want Candy” will entertain us all as we relive those moments we first heard these great bands.
SKA SKA SKA
If you love ska music, or just great music that is part of our history, come out and celebrate the life of Jerry Miller.
Evening festivities will be hosted by the legendary Richard Blade, and OC Music News Editor in Chief, Jimmy Alvarez.
Get your skankin’ shoes ready to celebrate with all these great bands and fellow fans.
Tickets go on sale this Thursday, October 17th at 10a.m. local time.
FOR TICKETS
Goes Live 10AM October 17, 2024
SID 241014 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
