UB40 announced yesterday November 7th that their beloved bandmate and founder of UB40 Astro has sadly passed away at the age of 64. The band expressed their grief and loss and said that they are “Absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken”
We are absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Astro has today passed away after a very short illness. The world will never be the same without him.
We ask you to please respect his family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time. pic.twitter.com/GRDjtApyzy — ALI CAMPBELL & ASTRO (@UB40) November 6, 2021
Terence Wilson, better known as Astro was a musician, rapper, toaster and founder of the Birmingham diverse group UB40 who were formed in 1978. The late musician received his name Astro due to him wearing a pair of Dr Marten boots named Astronaut. The band are famed for their hit single “Red Red Wine” released in 1983. The single was re-released in 1988 and saw the late musician add a rap to the reissued extended version of the single.
The late musician also wrote the band’s hit single “Rat In Mi Kitchen” and left the band in 2013 to join co-founder Ali Campbell (Previous Lead vocalist for UB40 and songwriter) and Mickey Virtue (Keyboardist). Virtue left the band in late 2018 leaving the late musician and Campbell as a duo. Campbell in speaking of the late musician’s time in the original lineup of UB40 said “Astro was under used in UB40’s early days,” “He provided the lead on a few songs, like ‘Rat In Mi Kitchen’, but was also overlooked despite the fact that the public loved him. Since he came over to my fold, it’s been great all the way”
The late musician in speaking of performing with Campbell again said “That the years rolled away” when he reunited with Campbell and that he was having fun making music with him again” Campbell and the late rapper created the drink Red Red Wine Bordeaux Superieur in honour of their hit single “Red Red Wine”. The Trio released their album A Real Labour of Love in March 2018, the album was well received and reached number two in the Official Albums Charts.
What a result for @UB40 ft. Ali, Astro & Mickey! A Real Labour Of Love is this week’s highest new entry on the Official Albums Chart. See where it landed: https://t.co/WriZJpf7b1 pic.twitter.com/2Nvm9OeOVt — Official Charts (@officialcharts) March 11, 2018 .
The duo wrapped up their 2019 A Real Labour of Love tour before the Covid 19 Lockdown. The late musician and Campbell wrote songs for their forthcoming album during the Covid 19 Lockdown and celebrated the 40th Anniversary, of their August 1980 debut album Signing Off and their February 1980 debut single “King/Food For Thought” in 2020.
A remake of Bill Wither’s hit single “Lean On Me” was also released by the duo for the NHS Charities Together Urgent Covid 19 appeal in April 2020 and they were recently announced as part of The Isle of Wight 2022 Festival lineup. The late musician and Campbell were also set to release their new album Unprecedented in February and was to perform during their The Unprecedented tour in 2022. The original lineup of UB40 which now includes new frontman Matt Doyle upon hearing of Astro’s sad passing said in their tweet.
RIP ASTRO We have heard tonight, the sad news that ex-member of UB40, Terence Wilson, better known as Astro, has passed away after a short illness. Our sincere condolences to his family UB40 pic.twitter.com/6huxc1wN8k — UB40 (@UB40OFFICIAL) November 6, 2021
In announcing the late musician’s sad passing the band stated that he passed away from a short illness and provided no further details. Ali Campbell expressed the loss of his bandmate in his latest tweet.
Love Al pic.twitter.com/k6Ikpvn8wl
— ALI CAMPBELL & ASTRO (@UB40) November 8, 2021
