Charley “Aitch” Bembridge, founding member of the group The Selecter, has joined the cast of the 2 Tone musical Three Minute Heroes, which has just opened at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.
The former Selecter drummer and 2 Tone pioneer has joined the production’s live ska band which also features Joey Hickman on keyboards and trombone, Dan McIntyre on guitar and Michael Searl on bass.
Originally from Jamaica, Charley “Aitch” Bembridge first came to England in 1962 and settled in Gloucester where he went to school with Lynval Golding from The Specials. They went to Coventry in 1976 and met various musicians including Jerry Dammers, Ray King, Pauline Black and Neol Davis.
Since The Selecter, Bembridge has played alongside artists such as David Bowie, Green Day, Kid Rock, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Susie Quatro and Bob Geldof.
Written and directed by former Belgrade artistic director and committed 2 Tone fan Bob Eaton, Three Minute Heroes is playing on the Belgrade’s B2 stage until Saturday 25 October. Due to demand, there will be an extra performance on Monday 20 October.