Terry Hall, Lead Singer of The Specials, Has Passed Away  

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Legend of Ska-Punk and Pop Music, Terry Hall, singer of UK pop and ska band The Specials, has died. He was just 63. He passed away following a “brief illness’ – according to posts to social media from The Specials accounts. The band then asked for fans to respect the Hall family’s privacy. Rising to prominence in the first wave of Ska-Punk – Hall encapsulated the working class ethos and political activism of early Punk with the uplifting hopefulness of the ska genre, with his many songs based on triumph over adversity and fighting injustice. The Specials were a hit-making group as well, breaking into the mainstream, along with The Clash, propelling the punk genre further into the mainstream. Hall and The Specials were very influential, with Hall also being a member of  Fun Boy Three, the Colourfield, Terry, Blair & Anouchka and Vegas. He released two solo albums and also collaborated with many artists including The Go-Gos, David Stewart (The Eurythmics), Bananarama, the Lightning Seeds, Sinéad O’Connor, Stephen Duffy, Dub Pistols, Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, D12, Tricky, Lily Allen and Shakespears Sister. When the news hit, many artists began sharing their grief on social media as well. RIP Terry. 

  

 

 

“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 announced on social media. 

 

They added, “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’.”