I come from Wolverhampton so Coventry isn't that far away.It's funny such a good band coming from somewhere like that.The Specials really portrayed that provincial multiracial world of the West Midlands so well .Terry Hall was a great front man and it's a shame he died so young.
I am from Earlsdon Coventry the first time I saw Terry Hall was on Hearsall Common he was fronting a punk band called Squad he was clearly a future star. A couple of years later a mate told me about a great new local band called Special AKA. We went to see them and there was Terry. The next thing you know 2 Tone is launched and Coventry is the centre of the Universe. RIP Terry you and the Specials were more than just a band x
RIP Terry Hall, .Another 80s legend who left us far too early. Hearing this great song reminds me what great music the youth of that time could make. Losing him and Jet Black from The Stranglers just a few days previously reminds me that whilst the 80s was in some ways an era of darkness it also brought about some fantastic groundbreaking music by a generation inspired by punk but with a lot more sophistication. I was at school during the 2 tone/ska revival of the early 80s and I remember the music being haunting and memorable. At his best Terry was a naturally talented singer and songwriter who overcame a horrific childhood trauma to make great music. He is also the third original member of the groundbreaking Coventry band, The Specials, to die (after John Bradbury and Rico Rodriguez).
Life goes by much too fast, I still can't believe he's gone, he was just a baby here, we all were i suppose , but what makes no sense is that 1980 was only four or five years ago, so how can it be 2024 now?
