CALLS have been made for a ‘Specials Day’ to celebrate the legacy of the iconic Coventry band on the first anniversary of the death of its legendary frontman, Terry Hall.
The 63-year-old, whose voice and performances entertained and inspired millions with hits such as ‘Enjoy Yourself’ and ‘A Message To You, Rudy’, lost his brave battle with cancer on December 18, 2022.
Born and raised in Hillfields, Terry, along with the rest of The Specials, helped to pioneer the 2-Tone movement when the genre exploded out of Coventry in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Tributes to the ‘Gangsters’ singer over the past year have included an Orchestral concert at the Rialto Plaza and a stunning mural of Terry being installed at Coventry Music Museum.
Coventry Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM knew Terry well and paid tribute to his friend on the first anniversary of his passing.
He told the Observer: “I believe holding a Specials Day would be a good idea.
“Terry Hall left us with a powerful legacy of songs, performances, and sardonic wit.
“The crying shame is how much more of Terry’s genius was in the tank that we now will never hear.”
Coventry Society member and local cultural campaigner Mary Courtney said she too believed the Specials should be celebrated as they gave ‘real pride and excitement’ to those who were from the city.
“I remember the buzz in the city when the Specials music took off.
“As a teenager, it felt as if Coventry, through the Specials, was the place where it was happening.”
Council leader Coun George Duggins told the Observer, whilst not promising anything, he was very happy to explore the possibility of a Specials Day given their significance to the city.
He added: “Such a day would go a long way to raising cultural issues in the city generally.”
Coventry Conservative leader Coun Gary Ridley said he would back anything that honoured The Specials and their legacy.
“In its long and proud history, our city has given many things to the world and produced many great people.
“Surely Terry Hall and The Specials are right at the top of that list.
“Their sound was unique, refreshing and innovative and remains so to this day.
“That sound came from the soul and it was a sound developed right here in Coventry.
“You can hear our city in those tunes, all of our hopes and fears, blended with a strong message about social reform.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should there be a Specials Day in Coventry and if so, what could that consist of? Email [email protected] with your views.
