The Specials drummer John Bradbury has died

The Specials drummer John Bradbury aka Brad has passed away aged 62.

John Bradbury, the drummer of British ska band The Specials, has died at the age of 62.

Bradbury joined the group in 1979 and played on their biggest hits, Too Much Too Young (1980), Ghost Town (1981) and Free Nelson Mandela (1984).

Bradbury, like the band, was from Coventry, central England.

His drumming was at the heart of the band's reggae rhythm sound.

"It is with deepest regret that we have to announce the very sad news that our much loved husband and father John 'Brad' Bradbury passed away on Monday," his family said.

The band split up in 1981 and he joined the re-versioned group, The Special AKA, and stayed through to their dissolution in 1984. He was on board when The Specials reformed in 2008.

The Specials (from left) Terry Hall, Horace Panter, Neville Staple, Lynval Golding, the late John Bradbury, who passed away Monday, and Roddy Byers, pose for a photo at an awards ceremony in 2009.

"Brad's drumming was the powerhouse behind The Specials and it was seen as a key part to the two-tone sound," his family said.

"He was much respected in the world of drumming and his style of reggae and ska was seen as genuinely ground-breaking when The Specials first hit the charts in 1979."

Tributes from friends and fans flowed on social media.

RIP To One Of Our Family Friends 'John Bradbury' A.K.A Brad (@thespecials) #johnbradbury 😔

— Jonny Eakins (@jonnyeakins) December 29, 2015

Such sad news about John Bradbury #TheSpecials
RIP. Xxx

— Vicky McClure (@Vicky_McClure) December 29, 2015

-AAP