Just hearing of the sad news that Terry Hall has died after a short illness. Personally, one of my favourite UK artists, growing up his bands were a huge musical and political influence. The music world has been paying tribute to singer Terry Hall, remembering The Specials frontman as “truly one of the greats” who had “a heart of gold”.
Hits like Ghost Town, Gangsters and Too Much Too Young sound tracked British life in the late 1970s and early 80s.
Tributes came from UB40, Boy George and Elvis Costello, who said his voice “was the perfect instrument for the true and necessary songs on The Specials”.
He added: “That honesty is heard in so many of his songs in joy and sorrow.”
Costello produced The Specials’ self-titled 1979 debut album.
The band spearheaded the Two Tone and ska scenes, and were groundbreaking for their multi-racial membership and how they used pop music to reflect an era of upheaval, unemployment and racial tension. Terry Hall album “Laugh” https://www.tracklicensing.com/artist/terry-hall/page/2/
and a fabulous cover of “Our Lips Are Sealed” by Belinda Carlisle written by Terry and Jane Wiedlin of the GoGos https://www.tracklicensing.com/artist/belinda-carlisle/page/10/