We are very sad to report that the legendary Terry Hall has died at the young age of 63.
Terence Edward Hall (19 March 1959 – 19 December 2022) was an English musician and the lead singer of the Specials, and formerly of Fun Boy Three, the Colourfield, Terry, Blair & Anouchka and Vegas.[1] He released two solo albums and has also collaborated with many artists including David Stewart, Bananarama, Lightning Seeds, Sinéad O’Connor, Stephen Duffy, Dub Pistols, Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, D12, Tricky, Junkie XL, Leila Arab, Lily Allen, Shakespears Sister, Salad, and Nouvelle Vague.
His band mates in The Specials released the following statement via Twitter:
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.
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’.
A veritable end of an era with the passing of one of the most intelligent and compassionate songwriters of our times, with an indelible ear for melody. His collaborations revealed the most astonishing abilities to write a pop song – his brief romantic relationship with Jane Wiedlin of the band The Go-Gos resulted in the classic Our Lips Are Sealed and he worked with the Lightning Seeds on their brilliant album ‘Sense’. There are many more examples.
Of course he will always be remembered for The Specials: a defining contribution to the music pantheon:
Vale Terry Hall and farewell to an era.
Feature Photograph: Richard Saker/Shutterstock
