Terry Hall, the lead singer of the Specials, dies aged 63
Terry Hall, the lead singer of the Specials, has passed away at the age of 63.
Hall, who was famed for his razor-sharp sense of humour and unequivocal approach to music creation, died after a short illness, the band has confirmed. “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 band said in a statement.
The statement continued: “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 note concluded: “We would ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this very sad time.”
Born and raised in Coventry, Hall left school at the age of 14 and attempted a host of temporary jobs such as bricklaying, apprentice hairdresser and more. Trying to find his place, Hall eventually ended up playing in a number of local bands and became an active member of the local music scene of the late 1970s before eventually joining the Specials in 1977.
The Specials, a now iconic English 2 tone and ska outfit, was formed by Jerry Dammers, Tim Strickland, Lynval Golding, Silverton Hutchinson and Horace Panter in 1977 in Coventry. However, the band was built on unstable ground and underwent a number of line-up changes during its formative years – the first major decision taking place when Strickland was quickly replaced by Terry Hall.
Hall would then oversee the most successful period of the Specials, releasing famed songs such as ‘Ghost Town’, ‘A Message to You, Rudy’, ‘Gangsters’, ‘Too Much Too Young’ and countless others.
Outside of his work with the Specials, Hall also found success as a solo artist, releasing two albums and collaborating with a host of prominent acts in the process. On top of that, the singer was also part of numerous different bands, including Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield, Terry, Blair & Anouchka and Vegas.
While tributes have continued to flood in, a message from Hall’s former bandmate, Neville Staple, has been issued to the BBC. Staple explained that he was been informed of his friend’s passing as he landed in Egypt as part of a planned holiday with his wife. “It’s really hit me hard,” he said. “We fronted The Specials and Fun Boy Three together, making history.
“Terry, he surely will be missed.”
See the official statement below.
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