Rhoda Dakar played an important part in the shaping of a woman's role in ska. The lead vocalist and chief songwriter for the all-female, London-based rocksteady band
the Bodysnatchers,
Dakar recorded several singles on the 2-Tone label founded by
Specials leader
Jerry Dammers. "Let's Do the Rock Steady" reached the 18th position on the Billboard charts in 1980. Following the demise of
the Bodysnatchers in 1981,
Dakar remained active as a vocalist. After performing on the
Specials album
More Specials, singing "I Can't Stand It" with background vocals by
the Go-Go's, she formed the Special A.K.A. with
Dammers and other members of
the Specials. The group's sole album,
In the Studio With..., included the anthem "Free Nelson Mandela" and a reworking of
the Bodysnatchers' haunting tune "The Boiler." In 2015,
Dakar recorded an album of
Bodysnatchers material with a band including members of
the Specials and
Madness; the album was released as
Rhoda Dakar Sings the Bodysnatchers. ~ Craig Harris