The Specials, a British ska revival band, lost their lead singer Terry Hall at the age of 63.
The Special said that Hall passed away on Monday after a “short illness” in a statement shared on their Instagram page.
“We regret to inform you of Terry’s passing after a brief illness. Terry was a beautiful friend, brother, and one of the greatest lyricists, vocalists, and songwriters this nation has ever produced. Terry was a fantastic father and husband as well as one of the kindest, funniest, and most sincere people you could ever meet “the declaration started.
“His performances and music captured the very core of life—the happiness, the suffering, the humor, the struggle for justice, but most of all, the love. All those who knew and loved him will sincerely miss him, and he leaves behind the gifts of his extraordinary music and genuine humanity. At the conclusion of The Specials’ inspiring performances, Terry frequently said the words “Love Love Love” before exiting the stage.”
“We would ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this very difficult time,” the statement’s conclusion read.
According to Rolling Stone, Hall founded The Specials in 1977 and performed as their lead vocalist up until 1981. He then joined them again for a reunion in 2008 and remained with them until his passing.
2019 saw the group’s most recent release, Encore. Later, he talked openly about the pandemic’s impact on his mental health and how it ended the band’s comeback.
In 2021, Hall admitted to The Quietus that “the pandemic’s arrival had a tremendous impact on me.” “I spent almost three months attempting to understand what was happening. I was unable to compose even one word. I tried to figure out a way to survive throughout that time.”
He then made the decision to record Protest Songs 1924-2012, an album of cover songs with the band that was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, and to release it in October 2021, according to The Quietus.
Their biggest successes at the time were “Ghost Town,” “Gangsters,” and “Too Much Too Young.”
In addition, Hall played in the bands Colourfield and Fun Boy Three, which he co-founded with Neville Staple and Lynval Golding after leaving The Specials in 1981. According to NME, he later played in the bands Terry, Blair, Anouchka, and Vegas.
Jane Wiedlin, with whom Hall had shared a personal relationship and worked together, paid tribute to Hall online and expressed her sadness at his demise.
“He was a charming, compassionate, gifted, and special individual. The song Our Lips Are Sealed, which was inspired by our incredibly brief relationship, will always link the two of us through music. I’m really sorry to hear this, “She went on.
According to the BBC, Hall is survived by his director wife Lindy Heymann and his three boys, two of whom he shares with his ex-wife Jeannette Hall.
