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20th Dec 2022

Tributes pour in for The Specials singer Terry Hall after his death

Stephen Porzio

He passed away at age 63.

Terry Hall, the lead singer of the popular English ska band The Specials, has died at the age of 63.

The band confirmed the news in a statement on its social media on Monday night (19 December) in which they said Hall passed away following “a brief illness”.

The singer became famous with The Specials thanks to their songs ‘Gangsters’, ‘Ghost Town’ and ‘Too Much Too Young’, as well as their cover of ‘A Message to You Rudy’.

As well as his work with The Specials, Hall was a member of the bands Fun Boy Three; the Colourfield; Terry, Blair & Anouchka; and Vegas and released two solo studio albums.

He also collaborated with many artists including Bananarama, D12, Damon Albarn, David Stewart, Dub Pistols, Gorillaz, Lily Allen, Shakespears Sister, Sinéad O’Connor, Stephen Duffy, the Lightning Seeds and Tricky.

“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 said.

“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’.

“We would ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this very sad time.”

Tributes have poured in for Hall following his death, with The Go-Go’s Jane Wiedlin writing:

“Gutted to hear of the passing of Terry Hall. He was a lovely, sensitive, talented and unique person.

“Our extremely brief romance resulted in the song ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’, which will forever tie us together in music history.

“Terrible news to hear this.”

Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg said: “The Specials were a celebration of how British culture was envigorated by Caribbean immigration but the onstage demeanor of their lead singer was a reminder that they were in the serious business of challenging our perception of who we were in the late 1970s. RIP Terry Hall.”

Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Elvis Costello described Hall’s voice as “the perfect instrument for the true and necessary songs” of The Specials.

“That honesty is heard in so many of his songs in joy and sorrow. My condolences to his family and friends,” he added.

For more tributes to Hall, see below.

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