The Selecter vocalist Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson has died

Sad news: Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson of 2-Tone ska greats The Selecter died Tuesday at his home in Coventry, England where the band formed. He had been diagnosed with cancer last year. Word came from his family:

The family of Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson are saddened to announce the passing of our dearly beloved “Gappa”. He passed away in the early hours of Tuesday 11th June in Coventry, the city where he came to fame as frontman for the 2-Tone group The Selecter. Gappa was actively performing with the group until he was diagnosed with cancer last year. Even then, he fought his way back from ill-health to join Jools Holland’s R & B Orchestra as a guest artist for their Autumn/Winter Tour 2023.

Gaps was known the world over for singing the title track on The Selecter’s debut album ‘Too Much Pressure’, he brought a captivating angst and frustration to the track as he described the trials and tribulations of daily life for the working man.

He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

The Selecter wrote on their social media: “We are devastated to confirm that Selecter frontman Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson has died after a short illness. The world has lost a 2-Tone original, a talented musician and an absolute gentlemen. We have lost our beloved friend and bandmate. RIP Gaps.”

Pauline Black, the other vocalist in The Selecter, shared Gaps’ family’s message, adding, “I’m too devastated to say anything coherent at the moment.”

Like The Specials, The Selecter formed in Coventry, England in the late ’70s and their song “The Selecter” was one half of the first 7″ released by 2-Tone (the a-side being “Gangsters,” credited to The Special AKA). Gaps co-led the band with the group’s other vocalist, Pauline Black, and their chemistry was a big part of the group’s appeal. The Selecter’s 1980 debut, Too Much Pressure, is a classic and made our list of 64 Great Ska Albums from 1964 to Present.

The Selecter broke up in 1982, not long after the release of their second album, Celebrate the Bullet, but reformed in 1991 and for the most part have been together since, though Gaps bowed out last year after his cancer diagnosis.

Rest in peace, Gaps.

Pauline Black led the current lineup of The Selecter at their set at this past weekend’s No Values festival in Pomona.