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According to Dave Wakeling of English Beat, the term "ranking" is a Jamaican phrase, fairly common in the UK, that an MC would use to show he was high or top ranking.
Wakeling's Bandmate, Roger Charlery, adopted the name Ranking Roger to use professionally as lead vocalist for multiple bands, including The Beat, General Public as well as a stint with Big Audio Dynamite.
Roger's son, by the way, is following in his father's performing footsteps and calling himself Ranking Junior.
After the initial breakup of The Beat, Wakeling and Roger formed General Public with their best known song, "Tenderness," written while they were still in The Beat.
Ranking Roger turns 52 today.
Steve Douglas, Afternoon Host
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