Terry Hall, singer of The Specials dies

Terry Hall, frontman of British ska band The Specials, has died at the age of 63, his bandmates announced Monday. 

Hall shot to fame in the 1970s as the modish lead singer of the socially conscious 2 Tone band, which was formed with a multi-racial, anti-racism objective.

The Specials found success on the UK charts, notching seven consecutive top 10 singles, including “Ghost Town” and “Too Much Too Young”.

Hall died after a brief illness, The Specials said in a statement.

“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,” they wrote on Twitter. 

“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.”