Pioneers in the ska-punk sound, UK band The Specials have announced today the sad news that drummer John Bradbury has passed away. Whilst the cause of death is still unknown, his family confirmed the news via social media and, in between crediting him for his huge contribution to music, asked to remember him “privately” at this time.
“It is with deepest regret that we have to announce the very sad news that our much loved husband and father John “Brad” Bradbury passed away on Monday the 28th of December,” the statement said. “Brad’s drumming was the powerhouse behind The Specials and it was seen as a key part to the Two Tone sound.
“He was much respected in the world of drumming and his style of reggae and ska was seen as genuinely ground breaking when The Specials first hit the charts in 1979. He was an integral part of The Specials reforming in 2008 and toured with them extensively up to the present day.”
Bradbury joined The Specials in 1979, and was integral to the band’s top-ten hit in 1984, Free Nelson Mandela. Unfortunately it wasn’t too long after this that the band split, but Bradbury was indeed present when they reformed in 2008. Just this year, Australian band Sticky Fingers covered The Specials’ Ghost Town as a way of hitting back at Sydney’s lockout laws.
His family summed it up best by saying, “His contribution to the world of music can not be understated and he will much missed by family, friends and fans alike.”
RIP.