Roger Charlery also performed with members of the Specials and Dexys Midnight Runners

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Roger Charlery, the vocalist of the Beat and General Public better known as Ranking Roger, has died aged 56.

Charlery died on Tuesday at home surrounded by his family, according to a statement on the Beat’s website.

The Beat's playlist: the Clash, Bob Marley, Average White Band and more Read more

It said: “He fought & fought & fought, Roger was a fighter. Sadly Roger passed away a few hours ago peacefully at his home surrounded by family.

“Roger’s family would like to thank everyone for their constant support during this tough time. More to follow in the coming days. RIP ROGER!”

It was revealed in January that the Birmingham-born singer had been diagnosed with two brain tumours and lung cancer. He suffered a stroke last summer.

Charlery founded the Beat in Birmingham in 1978. The band fused traditional ska music with elements of pop, new wave, punk rock and latin, and became a pioneer in the two-tone music genre.

The band released three studio albums in the early 1980s: I Just Can’t Stop It (1980), Wha’ppen? (1981) and Special Beat Service (1982). Among the Beat’s biggest hits were Mirror in the Bathroom, Too Nice to Talk To and their cover versions of Can’t Get Used to Losing You and Tears of a Clown.

The Beat were most popular in the US and Canada, where the band were known as the English Beat for legal reasons and to avoid confusion with the American pop-rock band the Beat.

Musician and activist Billy Bragg paid tribute to Charlery, who played in bands with members of the Specials and Dexys Midnight Runners during his nearly 40-year career. Bragg said: “Very sorry to hear that Ranking Roger has passed away. Rest easy, Rude Boy.”

Matt Hoy, a touring vocalist with UB40, sent his condolences to Charlery’s family. In a post on Instagram, he wrote: “Rest in Peace Ranking Roger, such sad news!! Lovely guy... Way to young!! Condolences to his family.”

Pauline Black, who fronted the two-tone revival band the Selector, also paid tribute. She posted a short excerpt from Hamlet, which read: “Goodnight sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

The reggae group UB40 tweeted: “R.I.P Ranking Roger, Big Love”

Despite health challenges, Charlery released an album, Public Confidential, in January and finished a memoir, which will be published this spring.