Ranking Roger

British Ska Musician and The Beat Vocalist

Ranking Roger was a British musician and vocalist best known for his work with the ska band The Beat (known as The English Beat in North America) and later General Public. Born Roger Charlery on February 21, 1963, he became a prominent figure in the 2-tone ska movement, which blended traditional ska music with elements of punk rock and new wave. The Beat achieved significant success in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits like "Mirror in the Bathroom" and "Too Nice to Talk To." After The Beat's initial breakup in 1983, Ranking Roger went on to form General Public with fellow bandmate Dave Wakeling and released albums that continued to showcase his distinctive toasting style and energetic stage presence. Throughout his career, Ranking Roger remained an influential figure in the ska and reggae scenes until his passing on March 26, 2019.