Lynden David Hall was an award-winning English singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer who emerged during the late 1990s as part of the neo soul movement. In 1999, he was the first UK performer ever voted "Best Male Artist" by the readers of Britain's Blues & Soul magazine. His debut album, Medicine 4 My Pain, as well as the singles "Do I Qualify" and "Sexy Cinderella", had an instant appeal to soul fans in the UK and elsewhere, but it was not until his work got remixed that he got his major breakthrough. In October 2003, Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma; he died on 14 February 2006, at the age of 31, from complications resulting from the stem cell transplant he received in January 2005.
Life and career
Born in Wandsworth, South London, he won the "best newcomer" accolade at the 1998 MOBO Awards. In 1999, he was the first UK performer ever voted "Best Male Artist" by the readers of Britain's Blues & Soul magazine. His debut album, Medicine 4 My Pain, as well as the singles "Do I Qualify" and "Sexy Cinderella", had an instant appeal to soul fans in the UK and elsewhere, but it was not until his work got the remix treatment that he got his major breakthrough. Hall appeared in the film Love Actually in 2003, where he sang at the wedding of the characters played by Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Two years later, he released his third studio album, In Between Jobs, on the independent record label Random Records. In October 2003, Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma; he died on 14 February 2006, at the age of 31, from complications resulting from the stem cell transplant he received in January 2005. Hall was in remission at the time of his death. Hall is survived by his wife Nikki Hall. Shortly before he died, while in hospital in November 2005, Hall and his wife achieved their wish to help others suffering by putting on the successful Lynden's Wish concert at London's Jazz Café. For the first time, selected black British music artists came together in Hall's honour to raise money for two charities close to his heart: The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, and Rays of Sunshine, a children's charity. Lynden's Wish, a registered charity, remains his legacy. On 23 May 2006, a Lynden's Wish memorial celebration was held in his honour at Kensington Roof Gardens. Two white doves were released as a symbol of peace, accompanied by the London Community Gospel Choir, who sang "All You Need is Love" as performed by Hall in the film Love Actually. Many of the artists who performed the previous year's concerts also performed tributes, including Omar, Roachford and Don-E. All proceeds were donated to the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.
