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How did Terry Hall die? Lead singer of The Specials dead at 63, fans thank him for 'all the music'

Announcing Hall's death, The Specials said, 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend'

ENGLAND, UK: Terry Hall, the lead singer of the English ska band The Specials, has died at the age of 63. The band announced his death on social media on Sunday, December 19. Hall reportedly suffered an unspecified brief illness which was the cause of his death. Formed in 1977 as the 'Automatics', Hall joined the band in 1979 and replaced Tim Strickland to become the lead vocalist. Their singles such as 'Gangsters' and 'Ghost Town' gained prominence, giving the ska band recognition.

The band remembered the late legendary frontman and tweeted, "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. 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." Hall left The Specials in 1981 to form Fun Boy Three with fellow bandmates Neville Staple and Lynval Golding. 

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How did Terry Hall die?

As per the band's statement, Hall was battling an unknown illness and later succumbed to it. He was reportedly affected by the Covid pandemic just like the rest of the world. In a conversation with the Quietus, he explained how he was dealing with mental health issues and using alcohol to self-medicate. He said, "It got to a point where I didn’t have a choice – and it’s done me so much good,” he had said at the time, adding, “Talking about mental health problems is a conscious decision. It’s something I want to share with people. The stigma is difficult, but so many people have been affected – in the last year, especially – so if you’ve got knowledge or history, it is good to talk to people going through it. Not to tell them what to do, but to suggest a way to calmer living. It can be done." 

Tributes pour in for Terry Hall

Fellow singer-songwriter Billy Brag remembered Hall and tweeted, "The Specials were a celebration of how British culture was envigorated by Caribbean immigration but the onstage demenour of their lead singer was a reminder that they were in the serious business of challenging our perception of who we were in the late 1970s. RIP Terry Hall."

Rock band The Coral wrote, "Goes without saying but thanks Terry Hall for all the music, inspiration, and being kind to us when we were starting out. So sad. Thoughts with family and friends. RIP."

English singer Rowetta wrote, "One of the greatest frontmen from one of the greatest bands. And a gorgeous, kind, down to earth man. I’ll miss his music, his United post match honesty, his messages. Terry Hall Forever."

Frank Turner tweeted, "God damnit. Just heard the news about Terry Hall. What an absolute sadness. The Specials were one of the most important bands for me as a kid. Taught me many things I needed to know. Gutted. RIP." 

One fan wrote, "RIP Terry Hall. Thus blew my tiny mind when the girl down the road, bit older than me, played it to my young 13 Yr old ears. I went to HMV after school ordered the LP. I went in weekly for a year. It never came. Only made my love of it sweeter."

Another sad fan tweeted, "One of THE greatest British music artists. An iconic and utterly individual frontman with THAT voice . This cuts so hard. So many songs I could chose that were anthems of my youth but I'll go with this underrated classic RIP Terry Hall #thecolourfield."

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