UB40 singer Terence Wilson
The musician died at the age of 64
Terence Wilson was known as Astro as part of UB40.
© imago images / ZUMA Wire
Reggae musician Terence Wilson is dead. The singer, who became famous under the nickname Astro with the band UB40, was 64 years old.
Mourning reggae musician Terence Wilson (1957-2021). The singer, who became famous as a founding member of the band UB40 (“Red Red Wine”), died at the age of 64 after a “very brief illness”.
“The world will never be the same without him”
The death of the star, who is also known to fans of the band by the nickname Astro, was announced via the official social media channels of his current band UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell & Astro.
“We are absolutely devastated and our hearts are broken because we have to tell you that our beloved Astro passed away today after a very brief illness,” it said including on Instagram. “The world will never be the same without him.” The band also asks that the privacy of Wilson’s family be respected “during this incredibly difficult time”.
The current band members of the cult band UB40, to which Terence Wilson no longer belonged, also got in touch via social media to speak.
“We received the sad news today that Terence Wilson, an ex-member of UB40 and better known as Astro, has passed away after a short illness.” With their words, the formation combined a condolences to the family of the deceased.
In 2022 he wanted to go on tour with Ali Campbell
Born in Birmingham, UK, Terence Wilson was one of the founding members of UB40 and was part of the band between 1978 and 2013. In the 1980s and 1990s, the musicians celebrated great success with hits such as “Red Red Wine”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “I Got You Babe”.
The band often addressed social issues such as unemployment and racism in their lyrics. After Wilson’s departure in 2013, he founded the group UB40 featuring Ali Campbell & Astro together with his former bandmate Ali Campbell (62). A tour was planned for the coming year.