As the new generation of Ben Nevis Clothing/ Kamp Kit/ Wearite/Urban country, we still love to appreciate our roots and events that have taken place during our reign over the 60 years. We have seen musicians come and go, over the years we have supplied the likes of Stormzy with his Alpha Industries bomber jacket that he had personalized, Amy Winehouse and Puff Daddy/P diddy’s entourage, and many more, but one of our favorites are home grown local lads Madness.
Madness are a world leading band that led the ska music revival in the 70’s. Known for their nutty sound, blending ska rhythms and catchy melodies along with humor in their performances, which was a perfect way to have fun. Evolving from their original names Morris the minors and the invaders into a Motown and soul pop style, they were genuinely one step beyond. As the years progressed they had highs and lows taking breaks and time off then reuniting in 1988 and then for special events like the the local concert in Finsbury park in the summer of 92 known as madstock, once that ran its course, Suggs went rogue and tried a solo career but ended up reuniting in 1998 with the boys, creating great sounds and bringing back the humor in music and their iconic videos.
Back in the day Thommo and they boys used to know our family run business on Royal College Street and pop in all the time, but one day, that we would remember forever and became enriched in our history, as one of the boys from the Madness (Lee), found himself in a dilemma, he had a gig that weekend and didn’t have enough money for a new jacket so ended up stealing a jacket that was hanging outside the shop on display, the owner Carlos (grandad) chased him all the way to Kentish town but lucky for him, he got away. The thing is we knew him very well and if he would have asked to take the jacket we would have gifted it to him or at least to pay another time, but because he was a local lad, he ended up paying his debt in the following weeks. Things were just simpler back then, but its all part of the history books and 17 years ago the Camden journal wrote a great piece about our shop and the madness story.
Madness are so big in British culture that they played at the top of Buckingham Palace for the Queens diamond Jubilee and closed the London Olympics back in 2012. They are still going strong and are always doing local concerts in London and across the UK.
Here are their top songs so check them out.
- It must be love
- My girl
- One step beyond
- House of fun
- Driving in my car
- The prince
- Embarrassment
- Michael Caine
- Madness
- The sun and the rain
Never forget your roots because it’s madness not to shop in the Rite place…
Ben Nevis Clothing Camden Town