Tributes are being paid to Roger Charlery, AKA Ranking Roger, who has died at the age of 56.
As singer of The Beat, Ranking Roger was one of the earliest exponents of two-tone. It’s an influence which is already being remembered by many musicians and contemporaries, among those The Specials’ Neville Staple, Billy Bragg who tweeted ‘rest easy’ and Pauline Black of The Selecter.
A statement on The Beat’s official website reveals Charlery passed away this morning, surrounded by his family. “We are deeply saddened to confirm that Ranking Roger has died aged 56,” it reads. “We have lost a wonderfully talented artist, charismatic frontman and great friend.”
“In Autumn 2018, just before he was about to embark on his first US tour in over 12 years, with a further worldwide tour following in 2019, Roger was diagnosed with cancer.”
“Our hearts and commiserations go out to his family, his friends, his loved ones, his band mates (past and present) and of course to all his fans. It has been an enormous honour and privilege for us all to have been a part of his life.”