RIP: "Ranking Roger" (1963-2019)

Sad news this morning that The Beat vocalist "Ranking Roger" Charlery has died at the tragically young age of 56 after a long bout with brain and lung cancer. This brings back fond memories of the time that I saw The Beat (or English Beat as the Yanks call them) headline a show with a very young REM at Boston University's Walter Brown Arena in 1983. At the end of the night, both Bivalve Betsy and I were a sweaty mess, having danced all night. Thanks for all the great music and memories, Roger. RIP.

You can read the Guardian's obit here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/26/the-beat-singer-ranking-roger-dies-aged-56