Amplified: The Specials

Ska legends re-unite, conquering racism and mental illness. The inside story from Terry Hall, Lynval Golding and Horace Panter.

[@alanlittle3941]

RIP Terry Hall. A gentle soul and what a legend ❤

[@violetfairies]

YOU KNOW HIM? LOL

[@grantsmith1564]

he talks like there is no camera...no one to impress...just honest good conversation. He speaks from the heart..

[@catgould]

Terry still makes my heart flutter 30 years on...

[@AlmostReady504]

40

[@andywarrington4738]

nah thats arythmia lol

[@katemcginn5806]

Absolute class act. Superb live. Standing up for what's right promoting multi-cultural harmony and unity and just a brilliant bloke. Devastated doesn't come close. Rest in peace lovely Terry 💔💔💔

[@carlosbent5046]

Grew up on the Specials love the band and rest in peace Terry boy done good

[@michaelhoggarth89]

Mrs H..... Thank You Terry for the music .... You & your band are still Fanbloodytastic to those that lived in the late 1970's/early 80's.. What an awesome band THE SPECIALS where..RIP Lad..You'll never be forgotten.....Love ya Lad..❤

[@melaniemills582]

RIP Terry. Can’t believe it.

[@goldie69X]

I worked for the band through 1979-1982 . Fond memories. LOTS!

[@AmishGrande]

legit?

[@goldie69X]

Definitely Amish.I still have all the memorabilia too. I've just recently met up with Terry again at Trades Club . Huddersfield.It was really weird chatting about those days :-)

[@AmishGrande]

+Paul Gold (Goldie) dude, that is amazing!

[@jontyfrench1099]

Paul Gold that must have been an incredible experiance

[@coomzee1]

Paul Gold Please help.I heard a track that I'm convinced it was the Specials the lyrics go It must be fun to live the way that you do... have checked lyricfinder.org and others just seem t locate it and driving me barmy lol Would really appreciate this so much!!!!

[@jimbrussobigtimecavaliersf6371]

I'm so impressed with the honesty and frankness of Terry

[@theinternet1424]

Viewers who are unfamiliar with his personality may think he's in a bad mood here. Little do they know that this is one of the most cheerful interviews he's ever done.

[@fluorosco]

Smilings overated

[@2bsure]

In 1979 this was the first time I followed a music scene. The Specials connected with my Jamaican heritage along with the Two-Tone Lable bands. It was a turbulent time in South London but groups like this helped to mend the rift. I still have all my albums and singles and love the music that was a great part of my youth.

[@Narikeljinjira]

2bsure good on yer

[@Writeowl]

It was the BEST!! 😁😁😁🤗

[@balj7172]

Groundbreaker and monumental talent and with a humility that one does not see these days. Rest in peace Terry.

[@Vpmatt]

Terry Hall seems like such a regular humble down to earth guy. Fuck me he fronted The Specials! Legend.

[@jambutty2218]

The whole Two Tone and British punk movement . Was formed during a time of mass unemployment and deprivation on this island . Also I think people were tired of the diva or unrealistic elevated position pop musicians were afforded. The Specials were popular at the time, but I guess they had no idea it would be with them for life.

[@yeovil50]

The Specials were one of the bands of my youth. I even lost my virginity whilst listening to their first album - ok not the whole album , got half way through "Do the dog" (track two) and it was all over !!

[@jontyfrench1099]

Michael Yeovil nice one!

[@jontyfrench1099]

Terry sounds really good

[@sullivansongz]

Message to u bootie

[@MiguelModesto_PT]

Respect

[@julieeales]

Michael Yeovil ,U didn't lose you're virginity to Too much too young?😂

[@rael1999]

Great to see Terry managing to get through things and having such fun playing with the band again and sharing top times !

[@priscillaespinoza6441]

I'm 26 and I fell in love with the Specials back in freshman year in high school.. the dancing, the rhythm.. special place in my heart ❤ can't get tired of them!

[@Greg-fl4cb]

Terry Hall, you're a legend. I hope that you have found inner peace. Thanks for the memories. I'll always be a fan!

[@djdarlabeathebest]

Rest In Peace Terry! Skanks for the memories 🏁🕴🏻🎶

[@dbddineen9521]

Terry Hall is a great man

[@barneyrichardson4676]

A national treasure x

[@benfrewin9926]

Saddened beyond words this week. Such a tragedy to lose such a wonderful human being at such a young age.

[@lanslater]

You ARE a band in a million unforgettable music

[@Joe-vb4pg]

So sad he just died

[@kneeknocker1967]

Terry hall is like a mate you have always loved.. but never met ..long live the specials, SKA Forever 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@Xaj33]

Rip Terry Hall .So sad 😢 Thank you for the music .

[@littlecrowdemos4878]

Man, Terry Hall, a true original. He is missed for sure. What a class act. RIP

[@keithfrmcov]

Jerry Dammers and the late John Brad used to serve me often when I used to go into my favourite record shop back in the mid to late 70s in my hometown.

[@mick5831]

Terry Hall has been the one constant in my life. Legend

[@bspillman9042]

I LOVED THIS PIECE! One of my favorite childhood groups...so nice.

[@Jungleland33]

This was the music that got me through my teenage years. I absolutely loved them. I saw them with the Beat in '81 in my home city. 2 days ago I met Roddy after a gig and he was really nice and gave me a few minutes of his time before he abd his his band headed off to Tramore for a 3 day event. Thanks guys for getting me through those difficult years. I think ye may just have saved me. Respect.

[@PlasticGirl65]

Suffering from depression is s difficult thing, so glad Terry got help.

[@lisajaynefearis3685]

Love terry,very brave coming out and talking about his feelings

[@done1675]

I discovered The Specials in 1985 when I was 15, and I waited until 2010 to see them live. Totally worth it.

[@shaunbrown3010]

Rip terry thank you for your music gone but never forgotten long live two tone/ska.

[@johnrichardson1796]

Amazing Underrated band ,Terry Hall is a musical genius .

[@rossquinn]

are they underrated ?

[@berettarouge9197]

I NEVER got that impression, thank god.

[@jamaalosman125]

Respect to our White Friends from back in the day who stood Shoulder2Shoulder with us. I personally will never forget 💚

[@mindrolling24]

I picked a fight with a neo Nazi skinhead in a pub and spat in the beer of a racist police man in the 1990s. There’s no place for any form of racism and bigotry in this world, yet here we are again.

[@rossquinn]

@@mindrolling24 yeah im not sure starting fights is great either

[@marascomedywig5350]

@@mindrolling24 violence breeds violence Attacking someone because of how they look act and speak Is racist in itself wouldn’t you agree ?

[@mindrolling24]

@@marascomedywig5350 Well my bad. I was in my early 20s when these events occurred but even now (30 years on) if some gob shite Neo Nazi bastard sat down and denied that the Holocaust ever happened I’d definitely have a go at him. As for a police officer slagging off indigenous Australians in public, I’d save my spit and just ‘accidentally’ tip his drink on him. He and his police mates were also being extremely sleazy and misogynistic towards my friend and me so they got off relatively easy.

[@rd-mu2vj]

Rest in Power Sir Terry Clark…Legends never die…thanks for all the great music, you will always live on through the hearts and souls of those you’ve moved, the power of music is incredible…love never dies

[@TheOrbit14]

Night Mister Hall, eternal thanks for your songs and truths.

[@christine85571]

R.I.P. Terry Hall. இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ- 19 March 1959 - 19 December 2022 (aged 63)

[@TheMinoom]

Found this by accident and I absolutely love this band. Used to listen to them all the time. I actually heard the music Ghost Town on a PBS masterpiece TV show and promoted me to look for the song and that's how I got here. Bands like this, music like this, does not exist anymore. The hip hop and the rest of the horrible crap out there, does nothing for this generation. That's why this generation is about money, low moral values and nothing meaningful. Music just like other forms of art can transform a generation and this band and other especially British bands of the 60s, 70s and 80s made a big difference in our lives. Many thanks for sharing. I am just really sorry that he has to struggle with mental illness.

[@flyguy359]

Used to listen to them too and stumbled on this vid - accidentally listened to Nicki Manaj earlier and that shit is just horrid

[@TheMinoom]

Nicki Minaj, and most of all the other Hip Hop musicians if you can call them that are pure garbage and making millions and very popular. One of the worst on the list is this horrible Nicki M. Yuk.

[@shakesperezen6078]

well said my friend😊😉👍👍the music we listened to and gigged to back then and even now still had more heart and passion to it👍(/-\)..

[@TonyZosel]

Fun to hear these guys talk - I played those two albums so much, i had to get two new ones. I've seen them many times, but they played once in Minneapolis on a Sunday night in the mid '90s and to this day it was the best live show I've ever seen. They played every song and they played as if it were their first show.

[@ThePegasus101]

as a singer he could relese his feelings..he was salt of the earth

[@machinewash3523]

God bless your soul Terry. Thank you for your music. Gone much too young.

[@pauladamson8577]

God rest your soul Terry and John Bradburys too. You guys absolutely changed the way i looked at life. After i saw you in 1979 i bought every single and album. I learned about politics, culture and the music just spoke to me and many other disaffected young people at the time. Gone to young but never forgotten. Thank you for the music and fun!

[@rohanchapman4159]

So much more than just another Band, all you guys where the sound of my youth. Legends

[@PinkyPuff69]

Just stumbled upon this, so amazing to see. I love The Specials, have for many years! Thanks for this!!!!!

[@rjenkins79]

Huge inspiration to us 90's rejects. Thank you for sharing your life with us. You will be truly missed Terry.

[@robwalker7575]

Like most teens leaving school in the mid 80s there was nothing to look forward to, strikes, political turmoil, unemployment and inhetent racism. I grew up in London, Tottenham, during the riots... it was shit. But we had the music, a time when music could explain the angst we all felt, a time when record comps took a chance and made music for the people.

[@rc-my9tc]

been a fan since 1979, finally got to see them in Sept , excellent show, hope to see them again

[@seanmurphy6480]

See you soon Terry , your legacy will live on till the end of time, Condolences and prayers to all that were close to you thanks for all them tunes lifted me 👆 up and they doing it now

[@hissykittie68]

This band fills me with utter bliss! Thank You Terry!

[@JedCraft69]

This was splendid! I am so excited for the recent US tour. I was much too young to see this band live back in the day but I sure as heck wore out my cassette tape. So happy to finally get to see them live July 2013.

[@f.dmcintyre4666]

Much too much, much too young !!!!..................Blessings..........Happy Christmas......

[@itgetseasierlessitry]

Glad to see that Hall is out of his own Jungle and using his talent also as therapy.

[@Theflowoflove]

" It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society".Terry has always struck me as a conscious man. Enlightenment is no pic nic. Yet I agree with you whole heartedly, he is a true treasure. Happy trails to him always.

[@kevcatnip7589]

is ait the music industry that creates mental health issues??? or does it attract the sufferers

[@musicloverUK]

​@@kevcatnip7589 being kidnapped and abused for days when 12 on a French School was the start of his mental health issues, it seemed.

[@danjay6783]

The music was a hybrid that still feels new.

[@marksilverwood2078]

RIP the brilliant Terry Hall…Legend. One of the UK’s greatest ever singer songwriters, and so influential when I was growing up in the West Midlands in the late 70’s, early 80’s. A true genius.

[@harveysmith100]

They really were Special. For those too young to remember, go buy the first two albums. They were the best band of their generation. Hold on, the Jam. They were both in the top two and l lets leave it at that. To say a band changed everything are big words in today's music world but back then, The Specials did. It was post punk, the country was on it's knees, doom and gloom everywhere. Then one Thursday night, Top of the Pops, and the Specials played for the first time. Friday morning at school we were all talking about what we had seen. We already wore DM's but by Monday morning the first crew cuts started to appear, then Harrington jackets and the rest all followed. We knew that Friday morning everything had changed, the Specials really were that special. We were all Ska'd for life and happy to be that way.

[@fugazi480]

Happiness is.....The Specials

[@OriginalSkaMan]

My youth.... The Specials are Legends

[@Ardianax]

Damon Albarn grew up as a pop fan in thrall to the Specials and lead singer Terry Hall in particular: "I was obsessed with him, I could not imagine anyone cooler." He speaks passionately about what he calls "the implication of the Specials as a reflection of multicultural London - what they were saying on songs like Ghost Town had a very powerful impact on me." --The Guardian

[@robinwilliams8246]

terry hall is a fkn legend

[@Stu-SB]

What a song writer !

[@gregdavenport52]

Finally saw them last Friday and the did not disappoint !!!!! Awesome show!!!!

[@paulgardiner5398]

Just a total star. Hurting so much at your passing. You were one of us kids, but so much wiser and cooler.

[@MrHairyNeck]

Time goes way too fast. This all seems like yesterday to me.

[@jonathanhadley2555]

Hairy Nick Time waits for no one- Our time is on loan!

[@MrHairyNeck]

@@jonathanhadley2555 Yeah

[@finallevel29]

Grew up listening to The Specials. What a band 🔥🔥

[@TheANDYURRY]

Saw the 2 Tone Tour in 1979 Sheffield Top Rank, the impact of that Sunday night on a then 17 yr old youth was life changing. Best gig I have ever been to by a country mile. The place was electric , it was chaos, the Police ended up in the building and literally came on stage and unplugged the music, to no avail the band played on with Terry up front and the crowd baying for more . RIP Terry , thx for the music fella...!!!

[@3dulimited952]

You get to know a lot about Terry Hall as a person just listening to him He speaks from the heart , great guy 👍

[@buddyhell7100]

Thanks for the music boys, great memories from my mid to late teens.

[@m30scs69]

One of the best.❤ Go in peace

[@regend762]

Thought i would get to see them at least once more with Terry at the helm. Tough one. Gutted. What a journey. Fight injustice & let's be kind to each other.

[@stephenpowell5912]

R I P Terry Hall 🎸🎚️🥁🎚️🎹🎹🎹🥺A Sad loss to the music industry,63 is young ⭐🌟✨ Thanks for the memories ❤️❤️❤️❤️I was only just 6 back in 1979 growing up listening to their music to Their time in the early 1980s as Fun boy 3 with Banarama ❤️❤️❤️🥺⭐🌟✨🏁🏁🏁

[@RemiPut]

GREAT band , grew up with their music , still love their sound !!!!!

[@lionelmills1259]

Such an an influence on my young along with other bands of the era, Rip Terry.

[@sidbrindle6790]

You guys gave all races a sense of belonging to humanity.

[@adamweston4152]

It's a funny feeling to see your heroes have issues the same as you but it's also good to know that we are are all the same when it comes to mental health problems and can get through the hardest times and come out shining.thanks specials for decades of fun, legends in their own lifetime!

[@terrythekittie]

Good on you Tezza! and Horry and Lyn too...two of my favourite bands from the early - mid 80's. Where have all the good bands gone?

[@hottestbabe1000]

To pot hun !!!....Theres no music anymore unless you tune into KZbin.

[@sharonmccalla9924]

What a loss this man such a humble fellow always remember his birthday a day before mine 19th of march. He will be.so sadly missed by all of my family we danced till we dropped with the specials.

[@cresshead]

thank you for all the wonderful songs

[@chunkaccinoniks6296]

Gosh I’m 22 and wish I could’ve seen em play back in the day! Two tone ska has got to be the best wave of ska in my opinion. At least they still tour which is good enough for me. Hopefully I get to see them for the first time this year ❤️

[@denisdonn]

Gutted, rip Terry. Legend

[@WooshaBaloo]

Try being an Asian in the 70’s and liking this band. Life wasn’t easy in those days!

[@brianharper8304]

good on yer,colour of skin doesn't matter one jot.it's the quality of person that counts

[@cormacmckahey7613]

TheDodicat Cause back then you’d be battered for it?

[@michaelkennedy5126]

kly me a liver

[@philipwinn4216]

Such a great man and a true legend who overcome a really bad childhood nothing but respect for the man and he should never be forgotten and I am sure that he wont

[@paulgolden8183]

Terry we love ya

[@kevinmorrow5467]

Poor Terry. Such a great guy. I was a kid, and remember hearing their songs being played by the local Mods. During the summer they would open their windows and play records. It was a soundtrack to my childhood.

[@anthonywalsh7613]

Love the specials. Always played their records in the youth club & I know exactly wat he means bout bein thankful 4 every day once you've reached 50. Every day you wake is a bonus

[@pedrowerberg]

I used to be a huge fan of them back in the early 80's and I am so glad they are back together I am 60 now and to enjoy yourself rings so true to me.Saludos de Argentina

[@woodlandsedge3456]

Saw them at Glastonbury Abbey 2019 and was blown away Amazing!!!!!!

[@begorgeous2394]

Love them. Saw them in Wolverhampton last Friday 2016. Awesome and Terry's still rather nice I must say 😊

[@CraigMansfield]

You're ALWAYS welcome in Newcastle. We love you up here.

[@bostont4terrier]

Wth this made me so overjoyed I started crying???

[@jehugo66]

Finally something worthwhile from ABC News.

[@ravsingh5347]

I hope our home city give TERRY a fitting tribute.. He really put Coventry on the map with his MUSIC.. Still listening to the music from 1979.. 👏🎵👍🎶👌

[@sadieshatterly]

Brilliant! Only just Seen this. Great to see some of the bands memories

[@JohnHonda101]

Terry Hall is just ace. Thats all I can say.

[@julieeales]

Just adorable Terry 😍💝

[@pumpkingirl4229]

I will forever miss you my Beautiful Boy.🕴️🏁 🙏✝️💖✨🎙️🎶🎸🎹🎼🎷🥁☮️💐💂🇬🇧

[@MR-qp2np]

Terry hall 🕊️🕊️🥺 such a big part of my youth 🥺 fly high brilliant guy but such a sad story he has but we love you ❤️

[@craftybum]

RIP Terry Hall, .Another 80s legend who left us far too early. Hearing this great song reminds me what great music the youth of that time could make. Losing him and Jet Black from The Stranglers just a few days previously reminds me that whilst the 80s was in some ways an era of darkness it also brought about some fantastic groundbreaking music by a generation inspired by punk but with a lot more sophistication. I was at school during the 2 tone/ska revival of the early 80s and I remember the music being haunting and memorable. At his best Terry was a naturally talented singer and songwriter who overcame a horrific childhood trauma to make great music. He is also the third original member of the groundbreaking Coventry band, The Specials, to die (after John Bradbury and Rico Rodriguez).

[@Yellowswift3]

Love these dudes. :)

[@zipz8423]

Specials blew my mind first time around I would love to see them now in 2017. Their songs are so bloody good.

[@Elle.Cris.]

I so love these guys, Terry especially so! Just saw them in Denver for the encore tour... bittersweet!

[@kellyhunt3958]

Just been to watch the Specials in Liverpool, great time had by all.

[@dollhaus1]

One of my biggest inspirations for learning ska / reggae music was The Specials. As a bassist we formed a band in Canada around 1980 called Pushkins ( You Tube ) . I'm glad these lads reformed.

[@rhysthomas7342]

thanks for everything terry hall

[@sandrainthetardis8843]

ALL THE SONGS ARE COMING TRUE LOVE THIS MAN XXXXX