Kirsty Wark brings together members of the band Madness to explore a musical journey of more than 40 years. From their earliest days in the backstreets of North London to performing on the roof of Buckingham Palace, the band combined ska, zany videos and on-stage antics to produce a string of hits.

Kirsty takes them back to their childhoods to remember the experiences which formed them and inspired one of their most popular songs, Baggy Trousers. We hear stories of the early days - rehearsing below a Dentist's surgery, pub gigs and the moment when Suggs was nearly replaced as vocalist.

We find out about the band’s musical influences – from ska supremo Prince Buster to Ian Dury - and discuss how the political landscape of the 1980s started to influence their song writing. An early headline of a review of one of their gigs read, "Great band, shame about the fans", and they discuss in some detail how they dealt with racism at their gigs from National Front supporters.

After a period of departures and solo projects, the band remember their emotional and ear-splitting return with Madstock in 1992 – so loud that some people thought there’d been an earthquake in North London. They also talk about performing on the roof of Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in 2012, and their latest live streaming concert from the London Palladium.

Taking part in the programme are Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Chris Foreman, producer Clive Langer and lead singer Suggs.

Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Louise Adamson
Series Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 Show less