Terry Hall: Revisit our 2007 interview with the late Specials frontman

Culture
20 Dec 22

Terry Hall, arms crossed.

The English singer-songwriter rose to fame as part of The Specials, who were pioneers of the UK's ska scene and recorded some of the classic tracks of that politically volatile era. The sad news of his death after a short illness was announced late last night. Hall, who made a momentous mark on the music world, was just 63 years of age. Tributes have been led by bandmate Neville Staple, Elvis Costello, Massive Attack and more. This interview with Paul Nolan, for Hot Prses, took place in 2007, in advance of a DJ gig he was doing in a Dublin venue.

Former Specials frontman Terry Hall makes his way to Dublin later this month to man the decks at the Sugar Club.

Aside from his DJ activities, Hall has been kept busy over the past couple of years with work on his new solo album and collaborations with other artists. Indeed, last month found him joining Lily Allen onstage at Glastonbury for a performance of The Specials track ‘Gangsters’.

“That was on Saturday afternoon,” says Terry. “Then I did a thing with Damon Albarn that evening, and I’d DJ-ed the previous night. It was good fun, it was like being there but not being there. Lily actually does two Specials songs, and so does Amy Winehouse, so it was like around-the-festival with The Specials, it was quite bizarre. Lynval, the guitarist with The Specials, also turned up, and we did something with Damon on Saturday night, so it was almost like the group had reformed, or two of us anyway, without permission.”

Having first met Albarn whilst Blur were touring Modern Life Is Rubbish, Hall has enjoyed a long friendship with the maverick musician, making numerous guest appearances on his various projects. This writer recalls seeing him join Blur for a rendition of The Specials’ ‘Nite Klub’ during their gig at the RDS in 1996.

“I remember that,” Terry smiles. “Damon and Graham had a massive fight during soundcheck. I just got picked up at the airport and taken on to the venue, and there was this huge spat going on. It was very funny, it was a bit handbags at dawn. They grew up together, so it’s like that brotherly thing where they’ll argue about absolutely anything.

“Damon always invites me to do stuff, maybe once or twice a year. Some things I can do and others I can’t. Like, he wanted me to go to Africa with him this year, but I couldn’t. And I did a performance with Gorillaz in New York two years ago. It’s great fun, and it’s a good way to see Damon, because he’s so busy.”

Terry says that The Specials’ influence on other artists is the most satisfying aspect of their legacy.

“It’s fantastic,” he enthuses. “That’s probably the most rewarding thing, when you meet people whose music you like and they cite you as an influence. It’s brilliant.”

Terry Hall DJs at the Corona Choice party at the Dublin Sugar Club on July 27.