As we approach the second anniversary of Terry’s passing on the 18th December, we have reflected on all the wonderful connections we have made and events that have taken place over the last few years that would not have happened without Terry.
“Anything that gives you a voice is really good. Art and music are a great outlet and have been such an important part of my recovery”.
Terry Hall
Terry's legacy lives on within so many of our connections and in the work we provide to music communities. We are thankful to Terry’s family, friends and supporters who donated funds to Tonic Music, here are just a few of the comments we have received.
“In memory of Terry Hall who helped keep me on the right path”.
“Donating in the memory of the beautiful soul of Terry Hall. A truly gifted person who will be sadly missed by so many but will live on forever. Love, love, love”.
“A small tribute to Terry. In memory of his quiet kindness and love, love, love”.
“For Terry - an outstanding talent and a beautiful person. Your light will keep shining forever”.
“For Terry Hall. Your talent and strength of character in your battles with your mental health are an inspiration. Your music, humour and supreme coolness I will never forget. Thank you. Love, love, love”.
“All profits from the sale of Terry Hall prints. I know Terry was a patron and strong supporter of the fabulous work you all do. Thank you”.
We would also like to thank Terry’s manager Steve and Johnny from Universal for donating Brad’s signed drum skins to Tonic Music. We plan to auction these next year to raise funds for our programmes.
Terry reminded us:
We highlighted Terry’s invaluable work as Tonic Music patron in our interview with James Hall from The Telegraph (paywall).
We also highlighted Terry's work with Tonic Music in an article with Andrew Trendall from the NME.
As well as inspiring a generation, he inspired our youngest of volunteers, Stan, who reflected on his memories of Terry:
“Over the years, I have had the pleasure to photograph and speak with Terry. I remember so clearly the first time I met him. I was 10 years old and my Grandad and I drove Terry from the train station to the first Tonic Music event in 2012. At the time, I really struggled with anxiety, so I asked him if he gets anxious before he performs. Terry not only answered my question, but he gave me advice on how to deal with those feelings. I have always followed his advice and as I have got older, I have really valued the time he gave me. Below is one of my last photos of Terry performing with The Specials as part of their 2021 UK tour in Brighton”.
The Chequered Past Scooter Club raised £1,250 for Tonic Music at their ride out event in memory and celebration of Terry on his birthday in March 2023. We were also invited to Coventry's 2-Tone Village where we were presented with cheques from the scooter club and Suki and all the staff, volunteers and supporters for £2,400.
We joined Peter Doherty on his Battered Songbook UK Tour in April 2023, continuing the legacy that Terry started with Tonic Music when we used to join The Specials on tour to help raise awareness of mental health within music communities.
Terry’s good friend and collaborator, Ian Broudie from the Lightning Seeds was our first guest on our Totally Wired Radio show on 14 July 2023 with host, Dr. Adam Ficek (listen here). We are currently on tour with the Lightning Seeds on their 35th Anniversary Greatest Hits Tour across the UK. Ian also joined Tonic Music once again in conversation with Adam at Shiiine On Weekender, Minehead in November 2024 as part of our 'Tonic Takeover'.
Horace Panter invited Tonic Music to have a stand with his Dirt Road Band at the 100 Club in July 2023 and we have followed them around ever since. We are forever thankful of the ongoing support from Horace, Ted and Steve.
“I used to be in a band called The Specials and Tonic Music is a charity that was very close to all our hearts and me and Lynval are carrying the baton along”.
Horace Panter
The wonderful Hannah Hu invited us to her gig at Just Dropped In Records, Coventry in December 2023. Check out our interview with Hannah ahead of the gig.
“When I was touring with The Specials, Tonic Music were really friendly and we connected on a personal and professional level, so moving forward in my career, I'll definitely be involved with Tonic Music. I want to promote everything that they stand for and also pay tribute to Terry. Because Tonic Music was so close to his heart, having them with me makes me feel like he's close to me as well. I'm very excited to have Tonic Music at my gig and hopefully we can raise more money for a charity Terry loved and Tonic Music will continue to be literal lifesavers!”.
Hannah Hu
We paid tribute and celebrated Terry as part of our Annual Report in 2023. You can read the report here.
For what would have been Terry’s 64th birthday. We also wrote an intimate blog 'Terry, Tonic and me'.
We became the official charity of ‘From The Caribbean to Coventry - Plotting the rise of 2 Tone’ exhibition at The Barbican that ran for six months earlier this year. Special thanks to Curators Mark (Bax) Baxter and David Burke for supporting us alongside all of the wonderful staff at the Barbican where we displayed zines, posters and sold our limited edition tote bag to raise funds for Tonic Music.
'As the curators of the exhibition 'From the Caribbean to Coventry - Plotting the rise of 2Tone, we were delighted to have Tonic Music as our official charity. We have long admired the work they do and with the much missed Terry Hall of The Specials being a founder patron of the Tonic Music, we see this association as a perfect fit.'
Mental health is a subject close to my heart so to be able, through the exhibition, to work with Tonic Music and contribute to the great work they do is an honour for me. Keep The Faith!
David Burke
I have seen for many years the great work that Tonic Music undertake in the field of mental health and so it is a personal pleasure to now work with them during our 5 months at The Barbican.
Mark (Bax) Baxter
We watched along with the rest of the country to ‘Record On: The Specials - A Message to You’ that aired on Sky Arts on Terry’s birthday on 19 March on what would have been his 65th birthday. It marked as a special tribute to one of the most influential bands of the 20th Century.
Rowetta (pictured centre below), a good friend of Terry's, joined us on a Tonic Music panel we moderated at the Night Time Economy Summit at Freight Island, Manchester (read more here). We also joined Happy Mondays on their ‘Been There Done That’ UK Tour (read more here) and are forever thankful to Rowetta for the support.
When A Light Goes Out
Looking forward to 2025, with special thanks and love to Lynval Golding for the song ‘When A Light Goes Out’, written and performed by Lynval and the Specials Family, and dedicated to Terry, Brad and the wider 2 Tone family no longer with us.
‘When A Light Goes Out’ track will be released by Specialized Records and Lynval Golding on Terry’s birthday, 19 March 2025. All proceeds from the sales of the 7” vinyl will be donated to Tonic Music and various bundles donated to the Specialized Project CIC.
“We all have mental health issues, but they affect some people more than others. The best thing we can all do is reach out to those who are struggling in whatever way we can.”
Lynval Golding
The Specials: Live from Coventry Cathedral airs 20 December at 9pm on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW. Tonic Music were invited by Terry to be present at this show, so we will be tuning in and remembering this glorious day that mean so much to all of us at Tonic Music.
We would like to thank Terry’s wife Lindy and family for this ♥️
More news to follow…
Love, Love, Love
