PEOPLE have been sharing their ‘Specials’ memories following Terry Hall’s passing on Sunday.
Pete McLaren said The Specials were such an iconic band which helped bring together the Coventry community to confront the growing racism of the time.
“As a teacher in a Coventry comprehensive, I remember wearing the black and white alongside many of the students. We were all disciplined for it – and continued wearing it.”
He added he was so proud of his association with that aspect of the anti-racist movement and of ‘the mighty Sky Blues of Coventry City choosing the two tone strip as one of theirs’.
“RIP Terry Hall – we admire everything you stood for.
“We need that spirit of racial unity today once again.
“Let’s hope the message given to us by Terry Hall and the Specials has been heard sufficiently.”
Karen Bucknall, who won the Breaking Into News regional winner for ITV Central News in 2019, put together her first local news report on the Coventry City of Culture 2021 and 40 years of 2Tone Music.
She said: “Terry Hall was my 2Tone hero and I’m very honoured to have done a local news report on The Specials.
“I got to meet some of my Two Tone heros, but sadly not Terry.”
Karen’s BA Hons Sociology degree (2:1) was on ‘Personal Idenity, Men’s Mental Health , Two Tone music and Coventry Footbal Club’.
As well as helping her start her journalism career, Karen added listening to 2Tone music, especially The Specials and The Fun Boy Three, got her through her cancer journey.
“Though I now live in Gloucestershire, Coventry the people, places and music always in my heart.”
