Terry Hall, frontman for one of the most influential British Ska bands of the 1980s, the Specials, has died after a short, undisclosed illness.
The news of Hall’s passing was shared on the band’s verified social media accounts, who 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 humor, the fight for justice, but mostly the love.”
The Specials charted seven top 10 U.K. singles during their first run. Their album “The Specials” is considered a landmark recording, it appeared on Pitchfork’s list of the Best Albums of the 1970s and on NME’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Hall also formed bands Fun Boy Three in 1981 and The Colourfield in 1984. Known for the hit song “Thinking of You”. He released a pair of solo albums in the ’90s.
Eventually, he reformed The Specials in 2008.
In 2019, The Specials released their eighth studio album “Encore”. Featuring the first new material with Hall as vocalist since 1981’s “Ghost Town.”
Monday’s social media posts commemorating Hall concluded by sharing how the singer
“Often left the stage at the end of The Specials’ life-affirming shows with three words… ‘Love Love Love’.”
