Terry Hall dies aged 63

Specials singer Terry Hall has died at the age of 63.

The Specials confirmed the news earlier today, tweeting: “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”.

Born in Coventry, Hall enjoyed significant success in the early 1980s with The Specials and Fun Boy Three, racking up numerous top ten singles and two number ones (The Special’s ‘Too Much Too Young’ and ‘Ghost Town’).

Other bands and collaborations followed, including The Colourfield and Vegas (the short-lived album/group with Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart). Hall also co-wrote a number of songs with Ian Broudie for Lightning Seeds’ albums, including ‘Lucky You’ from 1994’s Jollification.

Home and Laugh, the two solo albums issued under his own name, in 1994 and 1997 respectively, are well regarded, although neither produced any hits, despite the quality of the former’s ‘Forever J’.

Hall had toured occasionally with The Specials in the last 15 years or so and was part of the band’s success in 2019 when they topped the UK charts with the Encore album. This was followed up last year with Protest Songs 1924–2012.

Rest in Peace, Terry Tall. Leave your tributes and condolences in the comments.