The Selecters Arthur ‘GAPS’ Hendrickson passes away

The Selecter

It is with a heavy heart that we write that original and current Selecter vocalist Arthur’ GAPS’ Hendrickson passed away in the early hours of this morning.

In a post on Facebook, the family of the legendary 2-Tone original stated the following:

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.

Tributes have been flooding in on social media from bandmates and friends:

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

The Selecter

RIP Gaps – spent many years on the road with you… you’ll be truly missed ❤️

The Beat

Sending all love and condolences. Truly dear man

Jools Holland

Sad to hear of the death of ‘Gappa’ Hendrickson. I always knew him as an absolute gentleman. Thinking of his family and, of course, of his musical family Pauline Black The Selecter at this sad time. 💙

Horace Panter, The Specials

Rest easy Gaps 🌹🙏🏾🌹
Love and condolences to all family, friends and fans, for this very sad news of one of @theselecterofficial icons, who will be missed by so many. Our sadness and thoughts are with you all.

Neville & Sugary Staple

Alongside bands such as The Specials, The Beat, Madness, Bad Manners and The Bodysnatchers, The Selecter were one of the original bands that spearheaded the Two-Tone era Ska music scene and have been performing on and off right up until the present day, with their latest album Human Algebra released only last year.

GAPS will undoubtedly be missed by all that knew him and by Ska and Two-Tone fans the world over. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and bandmates.

Rest in Peace GAPS…

Arthur GAPS Hendrickson
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