Arthur Gaps Hendrikson

Sad news. Love The Selecter.

Have to blast Too Much Pressure tonight.

RIP Gaps

I had the pleasure of working with Gaps as The Selecter's TM in Australia. He was a very gentle soul with a great sense of humour and an innate style, a supremely talented but very humble singer and dancer. He was a beautiful man whose smile lit up the room. We shared a birthday.

I have some very happy memories of the silly things that happen behind the scenes. One time he left his belt at the hotel and my job was to try and find a way to stop his perfectly tailored trousers from falling down on stage...something that gaffa tape actually couldn't fix. (I also have a story about losing Pauline in a multi story car park but that is for another day) Gaps kept very fit and was so slim that the few belts I borrowed from fans were far too big, so I was madly trying to punch holes in them and have something that wouldn't ruin the look of his suit! Looking back, I think it could well have actually been a practical joke....the show went on and his trousers didn't fall down.

Gaps was a very spiritual man and I am sure he will be resting in peace, or perhaps dancing with Michael, Terry, Ranking Roger and the others that have gone on ahead to ska heaven.

I am very sad that I will never see that smile again but Pauline is absolutely devastated.

I love this video of them.

He really was. His death has hit me quite hard but for Pauline it is almost unbearable, yet she soldiers on, I don't know how she does it. 
He had a lovely funeral at Coventry Cathedral where many folk from the 2Tone family were reunited with eulogies by Pauline and Neol Davies.
I'll always remember him in his "civvies", he was immensely tall and gave the best bear hugs.