Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials, died on December 18. Hall is 63 years old.
Hall was a fixture in the New Wave music scene in the early 1980s. In addition to his work with The Specials, Hall also wrote the hit song “Our Lips Are Sealed,” popularized by The Go-Go’s following its release in 1981.
Hall also recorded a version of the song with Fun Boy Three, a project formed by Hall and some of his bandmates in The Specials following the group’s breakup that same year.
The announcement of Hall’s death on Monday, December 19, inspired many tributes from Hall’s fellow musicians and his fans. Several New Wave era games were posted to social media to offer condolences and share stories related to Hall’s legacy.
Hall Dies Following ‘Brief Illness’
Surviving members of The Specials, whose best-known songs include New Wave and ska staples “A Message To You Rudy” and “Ghost Town,” announced Hall’s death on Twitter.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of this country’s finest singers, songwriters and lyricists. Terry was a good husband and father and one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine souls. His music and performances capture the essence of life… joy, pain, the fight for justice, but mostly love. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him and leaves behind his incredible gift of music and deep humanity. Terry often leaves the stage at the end of The Specials life-affirming three words ‘Love, Love, Love.’”
The band ended their statement by asking fans to “respect the family’s privacy at this very sad time.”
Musicians And Popular Culture Pay Tribute To Dewan
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a short illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of the finest singers, songwriters and lyricists this country has ever produced. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/qJHsI1oTwp
— The Specials (@thespecials) December 19, 2022
Hall’s legacy has been felt by New Wave-era colleagues and 80s-era pop culture figures.
MTV’s original VJ, Martha Quinn, sent her condolences on The Specials’ Twitter.
“I’m so sorry to hear this,” Quinn’s tribute began, “Between @thespecials (first Day MTV artist) & #FunBoyThree & co-writing Our Lips Are Sealed with @janewiedlin, Terry Hall’s creativity shaped the sound of the 80s. My condolences to his many loved ones,” Quinn’s tweet concluded.
Andy Bell, lead singer of Europop band Erasure, tweet a touching story about Hall’s influence on his young life.
“At 11 I suddenly wanted a Harrington with a red tartan lining, a Fred Perry shirt, a black polo shirt. white socks and black loafers with tassels, all because of this guy [sic] music hit my school like Elvis in ’56. Those 2 @thespecials albums are pure genius. RIP Terry Hall,” Bell tweeted.
Musician Elvis Costello, who produced The Specials’ first album, as well tweet a tribute to Hall.
“Sad to receive the news of Terry Hall’s death last night from Lynval Golding. Terry’s voice is the perfect instrument for the true and necessary songs in ‘The Specials.’ That honesty is heard in many of his songs in joy and sorrow. My condolences to his family and friends.”
George’s Culture Club Boy tweeted, “So sad to hear about Terry Hall! Really love him as an artist. Sad day!”
The official Twitter accounts for 1980s band Dexy’s Midnight Runners and UB40 also tweeted tributes.
Former band tweeted, “Very sorry and shocked, to hear the sad news of the beautiful and brilliant Terry Hall. Rest in peace Terry. All the best to the Terry family and The Specials. Love from Dexys.”
UB40 tweeted“We are so sad to hear of the passing of Terry Hall, lead singer of @thespecials Another one gone too soon!”
“She Blinded Me With Science” singer Thomas Dolby tweeted, “So sad to hear Terry Hall is gone. I was going to play The Specials’ brilliant ‘Ghost Town’ on loop tonight… but alas, Twitter won’t let me link to it, ” wrote Dolby. Dolby was referring to Twitter’s recent ban- and then swift reversal- of linking to other social media sites.
Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s (and Hall’s ex-girlfriend) tweeted, “Devastated to hear of the passing of #terryhall. She is beautiful, sensitive, talented and unique. Our very short romance resulted in the song ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’, which will forever bind us together in music history. This is terrible news to hear.” Wiedlin’s tweet also included a black-and-white photo of Hall.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
