BRITISH vocalist and founding member of UB40 Terence Wilson, better known by his stage name Astro, has died after a short illness, his current band confirmed.
"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," a statement on Ali Campbell and Astro's Twitter account said on Saturday. "The world will never be the same without him."
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.
— ALI CAMPBELL & ASTRO (@UB40) November 6, 2021
We ask you to please respect his family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time. pic.twitter.com/GRDjtApyzy
The Brummie musician had played percussion and trumpets as well as provided vocals in the band from 1978 until 2013. After leaving the band he went on to play with breakaway group UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro.
Since the pair reunited in 2013, they have embarked on multiple UK arena tours, and world tours including visits to North and South America, Nigeria, South Africa, Dubai and Australia, as well as the vineyards of New Zealand for a Red Red Winery Tour.
The band performed twice in Malaysia for an exclusive show at KL Live in April 2014 and March 2016.
UB40 was first formed in Birmingham in 1978 and have gone on to establish itself as one of the world’s most successful acts in music history with over 70 million albums sold worldwide and over 50 singles in the UK charts alone.
The multiracial lineup reflected the working-class community in Birmingham their members came from. Choosing their name as a reference to a form issued to people claiming unemployment benefits at the time, the band dealt with social and political issues head-on in their songs, giving voice to working-class dissatisfaction with the status quo of the era.
Their hit singles include their debut 'Food for Thought' and two Billboard Hot 100 number ones with 'Red Red Wine' and 'Can't Help Falling in Love'.
British vocalist and founding member of UB40 Terence Wilson, aka Astro, dies at 64 after a short illness. #RIPAstro pic.twitter.com/SoC1AZWewU
— The African Voice (@teddyeugene) November 7, 2021
Both of these also topped the UK Singles Chart, as did the band's version of 'I Got You Babe'.
Their two most successful albums, 'Labour of Love' (1983) and 'Promises and Lies' (1993), reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
Astro told The Guardian in May, remembering the "sus law" that allowed the "weekly occurrence" of police arresting people who were deemed to be acting suspiciously – often on racist pretexts:
"I went through the same rigmarole as most black people in the late 70s. We found it harder to write love songs than militant lyrics, because it was a lot easier to write about stuff you had witnessed or read about. It seemed natural to us."
The line-up remained stable for 29 years until January 2008, when frontman Ali Campbell left the band over a disagreement about management.
Another of the band's founding members, Brian Travers, died of cancer in August at the age of 62.
Tributes to Astro have been pouring in over the weekend. – The Vibes, November 8, 2012
I got a song with Ub40 on my album. Everyone who’s heard it reckons it’s my best tune ever. Tbh I do to. I’m so lucky to have brushed shoulders with these legends from my city. The love and ratings I have for this band. RIP Astro. Ali and all loved ones keep ya heads up.
— Jaykae (@Jaykae10) November 7, 2021
?❤️
RIP ASTRO @UB40 watched you and Ali in Lytham Hall what seems like yesterday, remember your shout out to Liverpool 8 in the Royal Court back in the early eighties TRUE LEGEND OF OUR FAVOURITE MUSIC ??? pic.twitter.com/qdDCOxcNCI
— THE TAXI FAMILY (@TAXIALLIANCELPO) November 7, 2021
Morning great relaxing quality day with family they took me to Crazy Golf! RIP Astro I remember a great night with UB40 2009 Huge New Years Eve Concert On The Beach Albufeira Portugal. Have a good day pic.twitter.com/1iR4TCg3MA
— Frank Bruno MBE ?? (@frankbrunoboxer) November 7, 2021
RIP Astro ❤️
— Paul Rowlands (@PaulRowlands777) November 7, 2021
Thank You for the music and the memories ?
I grew up through those great UB40 music years in the 80s (and beyond)
Astro’s contribution on Red Red Wine is nothing less than iconic, in concert Astro brought the place alive with his unique, beautiful style ???❤️ pic.twitter.com/GoK64Ipiqv
Just as relevant as it was then. #UB40 told it like it was back then, shining a light on terrible #Tory policy. For that, we'll always remember #Astro. RIP, big man. https://t.co/RXHcNzhpit
— People Do Nothing (@PeopleDoNothin1) November 7, 2021
