The lead singer of the ska-punk band The Specials, Terry Hall passed away at 63. He helped create one of the prominent voices of post-punk in Britain.
The band announced the death on Monday. The Specials mentioned Hall as “one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters, and lyricists this country has ever produced.”
Hall had a very tumultuous childhood from being kidnapped at the age of 12 and being sexually abused for four days. This incident left the artist in life long depression.
Later Terry became addicted to valium and at the age of 14, he dropped out of school. The artist shared these events with The Spectator in 2019.
The 1981 track Ghost Town became one of the most celebrated songs in British pop songs. At 22, with Ghost Town, too Much Too Young, and Gangsters, Terry Hall had become a global icon.
The Specials became famous for their blend of British punk with Jamaican dance music and American R&B.
Terry formed Fun Boy Three with The Specials bandmates, Lynval Golding and Neville Staple after they disbanded in 1981.
The Specials were reformed in 2009. And also performed at the 2012 London Olympics closing concert. Terry Hall is survived by his wife Lindy Heymann and their son.