The Specials’ Terry Corridor has died, aged 63

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The Specials have introduced the demise of legendary frontman Terry Corridor.

Taking to social media, the ska icons confirmed that the influential singer had handed away from a “temporary sickness” on the age of 63. They honoured him as “a fantastic good friend, brother and one of the vital sensible singers, songwriters and lyricists this nation has ever produced”.

In a thread on Twitter, the band shared: “It's with nice unhappiness that we announce the passing, following a short sickness, of Terry, our stunning good friend, brother and one of the vital sensible singers, songwriters and lyricists this nation has ever produced.

“Terry was an exquisite husband and father and one of many kindest, funniest, and most real of souls. His music and his performances encapsulated the very essence of life… the enjoyment, the ache, the humour, the combat for justice, however principally the love.

“He will probably be deeply missed by all who knew and cherished him and leaves behind the reward of his outstanding music and profound humanity. Terry usually left the stage on the finish of The Specials’ life-affirming reveals with three phrases… ‘Love Love Love’.

The band added: “We'd ask that everybody respect the household’s privateness at this very unhappy time.”

Corridor was born in Coventry on March 19, 1959, and previous to his musical breakout, endured a tumultuous childhood: as he detailed to NME in 2019, he was kidnapped by a paedophile ring in France at age 12 (in 1971), with the expertise main him to develop an habit to Valium.

He’d dropped out of college by age 15, working odd jobs like bricklaying and hairdressing earlier than he turned concerned in Coventry’s music scene in the direction of the top of the ‘70s.

After a brief stint within the native punk band Squad, Corridor joined The Coventry Automatics in 1977, changing former singer Tim Strickland. That group would quickly rebrand as The Specials, and two years later (in 1979), had their first Prime 10 hit with ‘Gangsters’, a reimagining of ‘Al Capone’ by Prince Buster. Their eponymous debut album was launched that October, with its follow-up, ‘Extra Specials’, arriving simply 11 months later in September 1980.

Terry Corridor. Credit score: Press/Provided

Corridor left The Specials in 1981, however reformed with the band – alongside different former members like guitarist Roddy Radiation and drummer John Bradbury – in 2008, with their long-awaited comeback album, ‘Encore’, arriving in 2019. Within the intervening years earlier than his reunion with The Specials, Corridor carried out with teams just like the Enjoyable Boy Three, The Colourfield, Vegas, and Terry, Blair & Anouchka.

He additionally launched two solo albums (‘Residence’ in 1994 and ‘Snicker’ in 1997), and collaborated with the likes of Lightning Seeds, Sinéad O’Connor, the Dub Pistols, Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, D12, Difficult and Lily Allen.

Corridor remained energetic with The Specials into this 12 months, with their final present collectively going down at Escot Park in Devon on August 20. The band’s final launch with Corridor was the compilation ‘Protest Songs 1924-2012’, which arrived final September.

Terry Corridor. Credit score: Press/Provided

In a 2019 cowl story for NME, Corridor joked that his motivation for being in a band was “to piss folks off”. He additionally famous that his leftist politics had been formed partly from his early college days, throughout a surge in immigration from the West Indies, Uganda and Northern Eire: “You can really feel the resentment breeding [in the community] from day one actually, and also you’ll discover that that’s what occurs – like when folks come over and take these fictitious ‘jobs’.”

Amongst The Specials’ many accolades was the 2010 NME Award for Excellent Contribution To Music. In accepting the trophy, Corridor quipped: “That is probably the most city award we’ve ever obtained, I can’t imagine how gross it it! Thanks very a lot.”

Corridor was additionally a famous patron of Tonic, a UK-based psychological well being charity that operates two bespoke programmes: the Tonic Rider, which presents “coaching and assist for music trade professionals”, and the Restoration By way of Music initiative, providing “secure and supportive environments for folks to come back collectively, make music, be inventive, and make social connections”.

In a quote on the charity’s website, Corridor stated: “These are terribly testing instances for these of us with psychological well being points. My psychological well being deteriorated in the direction of the top of 2020. The factor that received me via was communication. When you’re struggling, then it's extremely essential to inform folks… household, pals, medical doctors, Tonic! Inform them to verify on you… at all times. Share your well being points… they aren’t issues. Most of all… keep secure… keep safe… We’ll get there!”

Within the hours which have handed since he died, Corridor’s colleagues have come out in droves to pay their respects. Amongst them is his former Specials bandmate Neville Staple, who wrote in a tweet: “I used to be deeply saddened to listen to about Terry Corridor’s passing on Sunday. [Christine ‘Sugary’ Staple] was known as as we arrived in Egypt.

“We knew Terry had been unwell however didn’t realise how critical till lately. We had solely simply confirmed some 2023 joint music agreements collectively. This has hit me.”

Different notable figures to share tributes have to date included Sleaford Mods, megafan comic Phil Jupitus, iconic photographer Kevin Cummins, Cass Browne of Mindless Issues, Billy Bragg, The Libertines (who he carried out ‘Gangsters’ with final August) and plenty of extra. Take a look at a handful of these tributes under:

TERRY HALL RIPNever meet your heroes, they are saying. Properly, I did, and he turned my good friend.The Specials had been my favorite…

Posted by Dub Pistols on Monday, December 19, 2022

ttps://twitter.com/billybragg/standing/1604989343218929664

 


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