Terry Hall, lead singer of the English 2 tone and ska revival band The Specials, has died.
The news of Hall’s passing was shared on the band’s verified social media accounts, who on Facebook wrote that he died “following a brief illness.”
The post called Hall “our beautiful friend, brother and one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters and lyricists this country has ever produced,” going on to say that “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.”
Hall was reportedly 63 at the time of his death, and is survived by wife Lindy Heymann, a filmmaker, and children Leo and Felix Hall.
Originating in 1977 in Coventry, England, the Specials found success in the late ’70s and early ‘80s, with their debut self-titled album.
The original lineup of members included Hall, who replaced vocalist Tim Strickland shortly after The Specials’ formation, along with Jerry Dammers, Roddy “Radiation” Byers, Neville Staple, John Bradbury, Dick Cuthell and Rico Rodriguez.
The Specials are known for tracks including “Gangsters” and “Ghost Town,” the latter of which remained at No. 1 for three weeks in the UK in 1981, going on to spend 10 weeks in the Top 40.
The band, also known for its staunch opposition of racial injustice, frequently commented on politics and social reform in England and beyond. “Forty years ago the Specials embodied the state of the nation – seven voices as one from a typically dispossessed UK town,” the band’s official website says by way of description.
Hall also formed bands Fun Boy Three in 1981 and The Colourfield in 1984 – known for the hit song “Thinking of You” – before going solo with a pair of albums in the ’90s.
Very sad news. In somewhat recent years he did some great work with the UK group the ‘Dub Pistols’ that I don’t see getting much mention. “Problem Is” is a great track he did the vocals for, but even more significant to the loved era of BTG is the cover of Blondie’s “Rapture”. Worth a listen. Also, just last week I was watching on YT Duran Duran’s Halloween show they did in Vegas this year. All of the songs played fit the Halloween theme, with many being songs from other artists. The band members are all in costume & they… Read more »
I remember “Thinking of You” being either the power play of the week or the featured single of the week on Radio Luxembourg in January 1985. Great song.
Being from Coventry in the U.K., this one has hit particularly hard. I only met Terry once, but am friends with quite a few of The Specials, as are most of the music community in Coventry, I can tell you it is a city in mourning at the moment
Brought a tear to my eye when I saw some of the footage from Coventry. For what it’s worth, I lit up a cold NYC night last Sunday with the Coventry Automatics and FB3 turned up to 11.
This makes me so sad. Another talent leaving us all too soon. “Ghost Town” I first heard on a segment on ABC News 20/20 concerning what was going on in the UK at the time. I was hooked immediately. Then it was Fub Boy Three’s “Our Lips Are Sealed.” The 12-inch version was haunting!! Ska music is very cool. I’m jamming now to Oingo Boingo’s earlier stuff. I’m going to delve into more Specials material.
Jeff
“Our Lips Are Sealed” which he co-wrote with Jane Wiedlin (of the Go-Go’s) while they were in a relationship.
Thanks for this!
Jeff
Very very saddened by this news. As I’ve probably banged on on BTG before, the second FB3 album is one of my favourites of all time. So witty and cutting, very unique. Terry Hall seemed such a great bloke, and achieved so much against a lot of odds. RIP Terry. x
When it comes to songwriting and composition, mention Terry Hall in the same breath as Paul McCartney.
The Specials – Ghost Town…..I remember hearing this at my school disco, way back in 1981, when it was number 1 in the UK charts, great track, loved their SKA music with The Specials, great band with a cool singer. Terry Hall fronted Fun Boy Three and The Colourfield, he wrote some great tunes with these bands.
R.I.P
Rest In peace Terry
I recommend his collaboration album with Dave Stewart from Eurythmics, Vegas, album by the same name (unfortunately deleted now) + b-sides on the 3 singles that were released…
I have all of those. Vegas. Great band.
Sh*t.
Terry was also friends with the Lightning Seeds’ Ian Broudie, and cowrote a bunch of their best tunes.
This one hurts.
Always loved The Coventry Automatics, The Specials and Fun Boy Three. Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.
fave Colourfield song, Things Could Be Beautiful, thanks MTV
I wasn’t much into Ska but Terry Hall was still in my music catalog from the Go-go’s to Fun Boy Three, Colourfield and Junkie XL’s Radio JXL etc etc! Wow 😯 so sad! And of course he was part of the 80’s and many friends played his ska music a lot so it’s just part of the fabric of my life!
Wow, another immense talent bidding us farewell in 2022
We need a band like The Specials today, what a massive cultural legacy they have.
Terry Hall basically discovered Bananarama and worked on their first single as well as writing Our Lips Are Sealed with GoGo Jane Wiedlin
The Fun Boy Three version of Our Lips are Sealed is a little Specials-eque listening to it now. Love both versions
In influential life, to be sure. Rest in Peace
Don’t forget “Our Lips Are Sealed” was written by Terry & Jane as a result of his extramarital affair with her. The Go-Go’s version had an entire verse omitted when released, making it a more compact, bouncy pop hit. The Specials’ version was also outstanding, but for different reasons. The 12″ is really haunting yet still danceable.