John "Brad" Bradbury was a drummer and and record producer. He was an influential backbeat force in the two tone ska wave that swept the UK in the late 1970s and early 1980s.



John Bradbury joined The Specials in 1979. When the original Specials split in 1981, he joined The Special AKA, who had a Top 10 hit with Free Nelson Mandela.



During the lifespan of the Special AKA, he also headed a band called JB's Allstars - a soul revue influenced by Bradbury's enthusiasm for Northern soul - in 1984.



Over the next few decades, John "Brad" Bradbury continued to drum, playing in the Special Beat — which brought together members of of the Specials and the English Beat — and sitting in for a few years with the Selecter.



In 2008, John Bradbury played a crucial role in the Specials' reunion, touring with them extensively until November 2015.



Bradbury cited his main influences as Al Jackson Jr. and Sly Dunbar.



He died on December 28, 2015 at the age of 62.