United Kingdom: Mr. Terry Hall, the lead singer of the Specials and a former member of Fun Boy Three, has died at the age of 63.
“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,” the Specials shared.
“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 tweeted.
Mr. Hall joined the first incarnation of the Specials shortly after the Coventry band formed in 1977, replacing vocalist Mr. Tim Strickland. After a stint as the Coventry Automatics, they became Special AKA, known as the Specials.
The English musician left The Specials in 1981 to form Fun Boy Three with fellow-bandmates Mr. Neville Staple and Mr. Lynval Golding, where he continued his career.
In 1984, the musician formed the Colourfield and in 1989, he teamed up with American actress Ms. Blair Booth and jeweller Ms. Anouchka Grose and began recording under the moniker of Terry, Blair & Anouchka.
In 2007, Mr. Hall reunited with Mr. Golding for the first time in 24 years and in 2008, the Specials returned for a series of concerts with all except founding member Mr. Jerry Dammers joining them. The Specials released their ninth album in 2021, “Protest Songs 1924-2012,” with Mr. Hall joined by Mr. Golding and Mr. Panter.
Mr. Neville Staple, Mr. Hall’s bandmate in the Specials and Fun Boy Three, expressed that he was “deeply saddened” by the news.
Mr. Naple added that “we had only just confirmed some 2023 joint music agreements together. This has hit me hard and must be extremely difficult for Terry’s wife and family.”
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