Rhoda Dakar

Rhoda Dakar (born 1959) is an English singer and musician, best known as the lead singer of The Bodysnatchers, who were signed to the 2 Tone record label. She also worked with The Specials/Special AKA, and also other 2-Tone artists.

Career Dakar, born in Hampstead, London, joined The Bodysnatchers in 1979. Their first single was a double A-side "Let's Do Rock Steady" backed with "Ruder Than You". It reached # 22 in the UK Singles Chart. The band were invited to appear on Top of the Pops, to tour with The Selecter and to record a session for BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel. Their second single "Easy Life" coupled with their version of Bob Andy's "Too Experienced" reached number 50. Several members of the Bodysnatchers then left to form The Belle Stars.

Dakar also collaborated with The Specials. Her duet with Terry Hall, "I Can't Stand It", appeared on the album More Specials. She also sang backing vocals on "Pearl's Cafe" on the album. After The Specials announced their break up in 1981, Jerry Dammers formed The Special AKA, along with Dakar and John Bradbury. Their first single release, "The Boiler", reached # 35 in the UK Singles Chart in 1982.

Dakar performed on The Special AKA album In the Studio, which featured the UK Top 10 single "Free Nelson Mandela". The album reached # 34 in the UK Albums Chart.

In May 2023 Dakar released "Version Girl", an album of covers of some of her favourite songs, on Sunday Best records. The culmination of a project spawning five singles, the first of which, "Everyday Is Like Sunday", was released in April 2021. The project was delayed by the Covid pandemic and the subsequent 'great vinyl shortage'. Another single has been added to the set, "I Don't Mind", a Buzzcocks cover, not available on the album and released in February 2024. The project is notable for having all the artwork designed by acclaimed Sheffield artist Pete McKee.

Discography Singles Solo Year Single Chart positions AlbumUK Official UK Vinyl 2022 "Everyday Is Like Sunday" — 6 Version Girl "The Man Who Sold the World" — 24 "Walking After Midnight" — 29 "As Tears Go By" — 12 2023 "What a Wonderful World" — 9 2024 "I Don't Mind" — 16

with The Bodysnatchers Year Single Chart positions AlbumUK 1980 "Let's Do Rock Steady" 22 "Easy Life" 50

with The Special AKA

with The Dub Pistols Year Single Chart positions AlbumUK2022 "Stand Together"—Addict

Albums Rhoda Dakar + Title Album details Chart positions UK Cleaning in Another Woman's Kitchen Released: November 2007 Label: Moon Ska Records—Back to the Garage (with Nick Welsh) Released: April 2009 Label: N1 Records— Rhoda Dakar Sings the Bodysnatchers Released: October 2015 Label: Own label—Version Girl Released: June 2023 Label: Sunday Best Records 10

with The Special AKA + Title Album details Chart positions UK In the Studio Released: June 1984 Label: 2Tone Records 34

Other appearances + Title Album details Chart positions UK Various Artists: Dance Craze Released: February 1981 Label: 2Tone Records 5 Various Artists: This Are Two Tone Released: November 1983 Label: 2Tone Records 51 Various Artists: The Two Tone Story Released: July 1989 Label: 2Tone Records 16 Madness: The Liberty of Norton Folgate Released: May 2009 Label: Lucky 7 Records 5

EPs Solo + Title Details Chart positions UK The Lotek Four Vol. IReleased: October 2016 Label: Own label —The Lotek Four Vol. IIReleased: October 2018 Label: ES Superior Recordings —