Ska Icon & The Specials Trombonist Rico Rodriguez Dies Aged 80

The Cuban-born, Jamaican-raised, London-based trombonist of venerated 2 Tone/ska revival outfit The Specials, Rico Rodriguez, has passed away at the age of 80 following a brief illness, it has been confirmed.

As has been reported, the band confirmed Rodriguez's death on social media early Saturday morning (AEST), saying that the brass-man had left behind a legacy that would stretch "forever and a day", while band founder Jerry Dammers released a heartfelt statement on Facebook, paying tribute to a friend who "taught me so much about what a proper musician is supposed to try and do".

"For me, getting to play with him was one of the greatest things about the Specials," Dammers wrote. "His album Man From Wareika had been one of my all-time favourites and a great inspiration. I could not believe that he had agreed to play with us, and his contribution to the Specials was immeasurable.

"He provided an all-important link to authentic Jamaican ska and reggae, which we had tried to copy, and his trombone added the essential element which took us to a next level and helped offer the band a possibility of progression beyond the confines of punk." 

Our dear friend Rico passed away today.We offer our deepest condolences to his family.His legacy will go on forever and a day. RIP dear Rico

— thespecials (@thespecials) September 4, 2015

Rodriguez was a greatly respected fixture in British ska history, having not only become a full-time member of The Specials following their self-titled 1979 debut album (on which he was a featured player) but also plying his brass-playing chops to work with the likes of Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. However, it was his work with the pioneering ska band formerly known as the Coventry Automatics that would earn him the greatest renown, notably for his iconic trombone work on the band's famed 1979 track A Message To You, Rudy (itself a cover of Dandy Livingstone's Rudy, A Message To You).

Rodriguez remained an active performer to the end of his life was awarded an MBE in acknowledgment of his services to music in 2007. Read Dammers' full tribute to his departed friend below the clip.