Terry Hall, singer in The Specials and then Funboy Three, has passed away after a brief illness. He was 63, and no cause of death has been given.

A statement from the Specials 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… He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him and leaves behind the gift of his remarkable music and profound humanity.”

Hall had a tragic early life, not just being abused by a teacher but being kidnapped and taken for France by him. He dropped out of school and became addicted to medication, but found a future in the music industry and the Specials, where he created with a strong eye on social troubles.