‘I never got a chance to say goodbye’: Damon Albarn remembers The Specials frontman Terry Hall
The Gorillaz frontman recalled seeing the late singer perform for the first time when he was 14
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Damon Albarn has recalled the first time he watched late singer Terry Hall perform, aged 14.
Hall, the frontman of legendary two tone band, The Specials, died last December aged 63, shortly after a cancer diagnosis.
Now Gorillaz and Blur frontman Albarn has called the singer “the coolest human being on earth”, while being interviewed on Radio X.
"I was a kid of 14," remembered Albarn on the first time he encountered Hall.
"I somehow managed to get to a filming of Top of the Pops, and I found myself standing underneath Terry Hall and thought, ‘This is the coolest human being on Earth.’"
The pair later worked together on the Gorillaz track “911”, and Hall’s solo tracks “Chasing a Rainbow” and “Room Full Of Nothing”.
"He was a lovely, beautiful, fun person, and I didn’t know he was so ill, so I never got a chance to say goodbye,” Albarn added of the late singer.
Shortly after Hall’s death, Albarn posted a video of himself playing a slow piano version of The Special’s “Friday Night, Saturday Morning”.
“Terry, you meant the world to me. I love you,” wrote the singer on the caption of the video on Instagram.
In the video, Albarn can be seen facing the camera while playing the piano, with light streaming in from the window behind.
Albarn’s piano tribute is slower and more melancholy than the original version, but instantly recognisable as the 1980 track.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
The Gorillaz are just off the back of releasing their latest album Cracker Island, which The Independent gave a four star review.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments