The English Beat

Singer Dave Wakeling formed this terrific British ska band back in 1978 and helped usher in a revival of the Jamaican style of music. Jamaican saxophonist Saxa even joined the band to record its first single, a ska-centric remake of Smokey Robinson’s “Tears of a Clown," that became a big hit. More hits would follow, and Wakeling has managed to keep the band alive all this time. The group returns to the Kent Stage tonight at 7. The Twist Offs open the show.