Legendary British ska band The Specials have announced the death of their drummer John 'Brad' Bradbury. He was 62.
The band, who are best known for their chart-topping hit, Ghost Town, from the early 1980s made the announcement on Twitter earlier this afternoon.
It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to our great friend, the world's greatest drummer, our beloved Brad. RIP pic.twitter.com/yYBFyQmuLy
— thespecials (@thespecials) December 29, 2015
Formed in 1977 the band enjoyed a string of top ten hits, before several members left the band to form Fun Boy Three. The band continued to perform as The Special AKA who went on to have a top 10 hit with Free Nelson Mandela.
Bradbury joined the The Specials in 1979 and remained in the band after the split and reformation as The Special AKA. He took part in The Specials reunion tour in 2009 and also headed up a band called JB Allstars.
In a statement, his family said: "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.
"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."
Ghost Town also featured in a memorable episode of the sit com, Father Ted during which the DJ Father Billy 'The Spinmaster' O'Dwyer forgot all his records apart from The Specials best known hit, which he proceeded to play over and over.
