Ranking Roger

Best-known as the singer/toaster and co-frontman of the English Beat and General Public, Ranking Roger was born Roger Charlery in Birmingham, England, on February 21, 1961, and became a punk rock fan as a teenager. He joined ska revival pioneers the English Beat in 1978, where he teamed with singer Dave Wakeling to give the group a unique one-two punch out front. After three albums (including the brilliant I Just Can't Stop It), Wakeling and Roger departed in 1983 to form the more pop- and soul-tinged General Public, which also included members of the Specials and Dexy's Midni...