The Specials frontman Terry Hall dies
- Thread starter smudgersmissingleg
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Just read about this on the BBC News website. I never knew his name but The Specials were a huge thing over here, the sound of the 80's really.
Now I have 'Ghost Town' as an earworm for the rest of the day no doubt.
63 is really no age to go these days though I gather he was ill beforehand.
Regards,
Jay.
Now I have 'Ghost Town' as an earworm for the rest of the day no doubt.
63 is really no age to go these days though I gather he was ill beforehand.
Regards,
Jay.
A bit before my time and not really my thing, but currently listening to 'A Message to You Rudy' on Alexa.
Saw this earlier and it made me feel sad. The Specials were a pivotal band, and their 1st album is probably the best of the whole 2 Tone genre. Terry Hall was a big part of what made them so great, with his unique voice and vocal delivery.
I never got to see the band during its heyday, but I will always cherish the memories of the show I did see in 2018 when much of the original band toured the States. They put on a fantastic show, and the uptempo songs had EVERYONE jumping up and down and singing at the top of their lungs. It was that kinda show.
Below is a clip from that show.
RIP Terry - you made a lot of people happy over the years, mate. ❤
I never got to see the band during its heyday, but I will always cherish the memories of the show I did see in 2018 when much of the original band toured the States. They put on a fantastic show, and the uptempo songs had EVERYONE jumping up and down and singing at the top of their lungs. It was that kinda show.
Below is a clip from that show.
RIP Terry - you made a lot of people happy over the years, mate. ❤
RIP Terry. Where did you catch them on the 2018 tour and did you see the Far East open for them? They are good friends of mine. I was lucky to see The Specials in NYC back in 2010 at Terminal 5 and at a Jimmy Fallon taping previous to that of all places.
Awesome you got to see them in 2010!
The show I saw was at the Fox Theater in Pomona, CA. I don't recall seeing an opening band, but an old online listing for that show says someone called Lori Vee was opening.
That's a good earworm to have, Jay. Have you heard The Specials song "Pearl's Cafe"? You'd probably like it
.The old lady was right btw. It is all a load of bollocks.
You bet. I've seen a lot of reggae and a few ska shows over the years - the ska was mostly the original 2 Tone bands and our #1 local band back in the day (early 80s), the Untouchables. Dave Wakeling still shows up locally from time to time.
Excellent! The Untouchables was the first ska band I ever heard, way before I knew what ska was. "I'm not your stepping stone" was the track I believe. Being from NYC, the first ska band I saw live was The Toasters and I never looked back. I've even played in a few local ska/rocksteady bands over the last, dare I say, 30 years and still at it! Nice to connect with a fellow pipe smoking rude boy on the forum.
@brooklynpipeclub Indeed! The Untouchables put on a great show in those days at a tiny little sweat box in LA called the On Klub. Loved that early 2 Tone stuff, but drifted more toward reggae and other stuff when those bands stopped touring in the 80s. Saw Madness, Selector, and the Beat a few times though. Great times!
That's cool you're a player - what's your instrument?
That's cool you're a player - what's your instrument?
I had the same experience. After being exposed to the 2 Tone groups I drifted to the Jamaican roots. My first ska band, at our final gig, opened for the Selecter with the Wailers headlining.
I play the drums. My current group is called The Full-Watts Band. We're a 10 piece outfit that pays tribute to the great rocksteady vocal groups like the Melodians, Paragons, Wailing Wailers, Alton Ellis and the Flames, etc.
I play the drums. My current group is called The Full-Watts Band. We're a 10 piece outfit that pays tribute to the great rocksteady vocal groups like the Melodians, Paragons, Wailing Wailers, Alton Ellis and the Flames, etc.
Very cool! Bradbury was such a great drummer, wasn't he? I love listening to old ska/rocksteady now. "Alexa, play Prince Buster." I've been turned on to all sorts of cool stuff that way. Desmond, Holt, Bob Andy, Ken Boothe, etc. Such cool music. You're a lucky man to be doing that!
I am lucky indeed and never take for granted what a joy it is to play the Jamaican roots with others who have the same love and respect for the music. In fact, I had the honor of backing Ken Boothe here in Brooklyn in 2013 with a band called Crazy Baldhead. Here's a tune from the night. Ain't No Sunshine
WOW, sir - you are the real deal.
Congrats on being able to do what many others could only hope to do - much respect! Thanks for sharing this moment, what a cool clip! The band & Ken sound great, on a rock solid foundation, natch!If I'm ever in NYC again I'll be sure to look you up!!
Nuff thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the vid. Do reach out if you're headed this way. Hopefully we'll have a show for you to attend.WOW, sir - you are the real deal.
If I'm ever in NYC again I'll be sure to look you up!!