Terry Hall — lead singer of legendary 2-tone ska band the Specials — has died from an unknown illness. He was 63 years old. The band confirmed his passing via their social channels earlier today.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters and lyricists this country has ever produced," the Specials wrote.
"Terry was a wonderful husband and father and one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine of souls. His music and his performances encapsulated the very essence of life… the joy, the pain, the humour, the fight for justice, but mostly the love.
"He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him and leaves behind the gift of his remarkable music and profound humanity. Terry often left the stage at the end of the Specials' life-affirming shows with three words… 'Love Love Love.'"
The band have asked that fans extend privacy to Hall's family at this time.
Hall's tenure with the band began following the departure of original vocalist Tim Strickland, after which the classic lineup — fleshed out by Hall and Neville Staple on vocals, Lynval Golding and Roddy Radiation on guitars, Horace Panter on bass, Jerry Dammers on keyboards, John Bradbury on drums and Dick Cuthell and Rico Rodriguez on horns — was solidified.
The band would go on to have several lineup and name changes over the years, eventually dissolving in 1984. Various iterations of the group would reform in the following decades. In 2018, the Specials announced Encore, their first new music since 2001, to which Hall contributed.
Hall was also formerly a member of Fun Boy Three, the Colourfield, Terry, Blair & Anouchka and Vegas. He released two solo albums in his lifetime: 1994's Home and 1997's Laugh.
Hall also contributed to works by Gorillaz, Toots and the Maytals, Mushtaq of Fun-Da-Mental and many more. He is also credited as a co-writer on the Go-Go's "Our Lips Are Sealed," which came to be after a brief romantic affair with the group's Jane Wiedlin.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters and lyricists this country has ever produced," the Specials wrote.
"Terry was a wonderful husband and father and one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine of souls. His music and his performances encapsulated the very essence of life… the joy, the pain, the humour, the fight for justice, but mostly the love.
"He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him and leaves behind the gift of his remarkable music and profound humanity. Terry often left the stage at the end of the Specials' life-affirming shows with three words… 'Love Love Love.'"
The band have asked that fans extend privacy to Hall's family at this time.
Hall's tenure with the band began following the departure of original vocalist Tim Strickland, after which the classic lineup — fleshed out by Hall and Neville Staple on vocals, Lynval Golding and Roddy Radiation on guitars, Horace Panter on bass, Jerry Dammers on keyboards, John Bradbury on drums and Dick Cuthell and Rico Rodriguez on horns — was solidified.
The band would go on to have several lineup and name changes over the years, eventually dissolving in 1984. Various iterations of the group would reform in the following decades. In 2018, the Specials announced Encore, their first new music since 2001, to which Hall contributed.
Hall was also formerly a member of Fun Boy Three, the Colourfield, Terry, Blair & Anouchka and Vegas. He released two solo albums in his lifetime: 1994's Home and 1997's Laugh.
Hall also contributed to works by Gorillaz, Toots and the Maytals, Mushtaq of Fun-Da-Mental and many more. He is also credited as a co-writer on the Go-Go's "Our Lips Are Sealed," which came to be after a brief romantic affair with the group's Jane Wiedlin.
