SINGER Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson has died after a short illness as tributes flood in for the beloved artist.
The 2 Tone music legend began his career in the 1970s as frontman for the band The Selecter.
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The band paid tribute to him online, writing: “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.”
Arthur’s cause of death has not been revealed and it is not yet clear how old he was when he died.
The Selecter, started in Coventry, went on to perform on and off for four decades.
Arthur was snapped singing on stage in Devon as recently as 2022 with the band.
The Selecter was formed in 1979 with Arthur and fellow singer Pauline Black on vocals, alongside Neol Davis and Compton Amanor on guitar.
The band was also made up of Desmond Brown, Charley ‘Aitch’ Bembridge on drums and Charley Anderson on bass.
Pauline paid tribute to her friend today when she shared the band heartbroken announcement on X.
The ska revival band enjoyed spots in the UK Top 40 charts during the 70s and 80s with several hit songs.
Tracks including On My Radio, Three Minute Hero, Missing Words and The Whisper were among their most popular.
Fans also paid tribute after news broke of Athur’s death.
One wrote on X: “Oh no, this awful news!
“My thoughts are with you and his family. RIP Gaps and thank you for the music.”
Someone else said: “We were lucky enough to see you both perform just before Xmas and I enjoyed your tales of you all in your autobiography. RIP Gaps.”
And a third wrote: “He was a fabulous part of a fabulous band.”
