I just found out that Terry Hall, singer of the Specials, died of pancreatic cancer. I’m devastated. I didn’t know him well, but we had become friends after I interviewed him and Horace Panter @horacepanter, the Specials’ bassist, about a year ago at a Musack event. I fell in love with the Specials in the summer of 1989, around the time I started listening to Operation Ivy and Fishbone. I discovered two eras of ska at the same time, so I had the joy of looking forward and backward. I was fascinated by the pioneering 2 Tone movement that the Specials started and built along with bands like the English Beat, Madness, and the Selecter. 2 Tone referred to bands having black and white members, and the bands were all vocally anti-racist. When the Specials re-formed in the mid-90s, I was asked to do the packaging for their album Guilty ’Til Proved Innocent by my friend Michael Halloran. It was an INCREDIBLY big deal for me! I met Horace then, but Terry was not part of that lineup. I was overjoyed when Terry returned to the band, and I could see the Specials with him up front several times. They were always great live! I was also able to do the poster for the Specials tour for their Encore album in 2019. The debut Specials album went top 5 in 1979 and so did Encore... I’m not sure if any other band has had top 5 albums 40 years apart. Back to the heart of the matter... Terry came by my studio a couple of times and we talked for hours. He was kind, thoughtful, and very open about life’s ups and downs. We talked about kids, mental health, insecurity, relationships, the therapeutic benefits of creativity, and many other heady topics. He was a kindred spirit who I thought I’d be friends with for many years. I’m so sorry for his friends, family, bandmates, and fans. This is a massive loss. Thanks for the tunes and the warmth Terry! Rest In Power! -Shepard Fairey