THE SPECIALS（ザ・スペシャルズ）のフロントマン Terry Hall（テリー・ホール）が逝去。享年63歳

THE SPECIALSのフロントマン Terry Hallが亡くなったことが明らかになった。享年63歳。

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. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/qJHsI1oTwp

— The Specials (@thespecials) December 19, 2022

Terry Hallは、1977年に英国コヴェントリーで結成されたばかりのバンド（のちにTHE SPECIALSに改名）に加入。1979年発表のデビュー・アルバム『The Specials』はElvis Costelloのプロデュースで制作され、1980年にはEP『Too Much Too Young』が全英1位を獲得した。1981年にリリースしたシングル『Ghost Town』が全英チャートで3週連続1位を記録するも、TerryとLynval Golding、Neville Stapleはバンドを脱退、THE SPECIALSは解散。Terryはその後Lynval、Nevilleと共にFUN BOY THREEを結成する。2009年、Terryを中心に再結成したTHE SPECIALSは30周年ツアーを開催し、2019年にアルバム『Encore』、2021年に『Protest Songs 1924 – 2012』をリリースした。

今回の訃報を受け、SNSでは追悼のコメントが寄せられている。

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Neville Staple(@originalrudeboy1)がシェアした投稿

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 pic.twitter.com/PVwbXyXubq

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) December 19, 2022

Sad to receive the news of Terry Hall’s passing last night from Lynval Golding. Terry’s voice was the perfect instrument for the true and necessary songs on “The Specials”. That honesty is heard in so many of his songs in joy and sorrow. My condolences to his family and friends.

— Elvis Costello (@ElvisCostello) December 20, 2022

I’m in shock that one of my favourite singer songwriters, Terry Hall has passed away. The Specials represent my youth, they represent everything about my teenage years, they were THE BAND that got us out of our homes and into the school discos & clubs! pic.twitter.com/a7o2WYn3Uu

— Matt Goss (@mattgoss) December 19, 2022

Gutted to hear of the passing of #terryhall. He was a lovely, sensitive, talented and unique person. Our extremely brief romance resulted in the song Our Lips Are Sealed, which will forever tie us together in music history. Terrible news to hear this. pic.twitter.com/Fxxqr0p01T

— Jane Wiedlin (@janewiedlin) December 19, 2022

心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします。