Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s closed out Musack’s Celebration of The Specials‘ frontman Terry Hall on Oct. 14 with a performance of “Our Lips Are Sealed,” originally written by Wiedlin and Hall. The song served as the opening track on The Go-Go’s album Beauty and the Beat (1981) and was their debut American single in June 1981, hitting No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Wiedlin performed the song with Donita Sparks from L7; Special’s members Horace Panter, Lynval Golding, Hannah Hu, Nikolaj Torp Larsen and Kenrick Rowe; along with Jesse Wagner from The Aggrolites, Nate Albert from Mighty Mighty Bosstones and the set’s band leader, JG Goetchius of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
Musack’s event paid tribute to Hall, who died in December, with performances from members of The Specials, No Doubt with Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine, Shepard Fairey, Tim Armstrong from Rancid and Operation Ivy, Jesse Michaels from Operation Ivy, L7, Fishbone and Bite Me Bambi. A rotating all-star backing band led by JG featured songs from The Specials, Fun Boy Three and The Colourfield, as well as a surprise Operation Ivy song. A video of Operation Ivy’s Take Warning can be found here.
Musack is a 501c3 that supports kids’ music programs across North America, founded by TV writer Donick Cary, whose credits include The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation and Have a Good Trip. Musack raises money through private concerts and silent auctions, including Saturday’s event.
Guests were treated to beer from Musack’s sponsor, Fall Brewing Company, including their limited edition “Enjoy Yourself” IPA, and food from Nawal’s Levantine Kitchen.
The Specials’ last U.S. performance was at Musack’s 2022 event. Video of “Gangsters” from that show can be found here.
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