Manchester music stars have been paying heartfelt tributes to Terry Hall after his shock death. The lead singer of The Specials died aged 63 following a short illness, his bandmates confirmed last night.
"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," the band said.
"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.
READ MORE: The Specials' lead singer Terry Hall dies after 'brief illness' aged 63
"He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him and leaves behind the gift of his remarkable music and profound humanity. Terry often left the stage at the end of The Specials’ life-affirming shows with three words… Love Love Love.
"We would ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this very sad time."
As well well as his work with The Specials, Terry also founded Fun Boy Three - with two of his Specials bandmates, Lynval Golding and Neville Staple - and then The Colourfield who were based in Manchester.
Born in Coventry, Terry was a huge Manchester United fan and was a regular fixture at Reds' matches both home and away. And Happy Mondays singer Rowetta said she would miss speaking to him after United games.
"One of the greatest frontmen from one of the greatest bands" she said on Twitter. "And a gorgeous, kind, down-to-earth man. I’ll miss his music, his United post-match honesty, his messages. Terry Hall Forever."
Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess said: "Goodnight Terry. A true genius - it was an honour to consider him a friend xx" before sharing numerous examples of his music and two pictures of the pair together.
Former Hacienda DJ and now music author Dave Haslam said: "Terry Hall. One of the all time greats of British music & an icon for a generation. He was unique, deep, funny. The man who buried for me that cliche “don’t meet your heroes”. I had some wonderful times with Terry. Loved him. It’s that simple. Gutted."
He added: "He was a hairdresser for a week and a failed bricklayer. A massive #MUFC fan. A committed anti-racist and an advocate for mental health causes. An incredible frontman, and a brilliant songwriter. He was unique, funny, deep, and one of the all-time greats of British music...
"I've missed something off Terry's CV. In one interview we did he told me "I had a day, well not a day, more like seventeen minutes as a quantity surveyor. It was freezing and he said “Take your hands out of your pocket” and I was like “F**k you” and that was the end of my job."
DJ and former member of The Fall, Marc Riley, said: "2022 has been a particularly cruel year. So many brilliant people taken from us. TERRY HALL R.I.P. Thoughts are with his family and friends."
Colin Sinclair said on Twitter: "Really sad news. I remember Terry Hall rehearsing at #TheBoardwalk in Manchester with The Colourfield, who although from Coventry were #Manchester based. I used to unlock the building for them to load their gear in after gigs #TheSpecials "
Stockport's Strawberry Studios said: "RIP Terry Hall. In amongst all the great music Terry helped to create over the years was the Colourfield album Virgins and Philistines, recorded at Strawberry over 1984 +85 and from which came one of the all-time classic singles recorded in Strawberry - Thinking of You."
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