Sad news in the music world as Astro, one of the founding members of the legendary Rasta band UB40, passes away after a short illness.
UB40 posted on their Twitter: “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.”
Born Terence Wilson, he was the band’s toaster and best known as Astro. He died after a short illness. Not much is known other that that at this moment.
Astro was a founding member of UB40. His tenure covered the formation in 1979 through 2013 when he left to join UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro in 2013. They were due to go on tour next year.
The band posted this announcement: “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.”
The original UB40 has a multitude of great songs that shaped the ’80s and ’90s. Of course best known for “Red Red Wine,” but among the world of reggae crowd, they had an unbelievable catalog of great music.
There was the “Labour of Love” series that include classics like “Many Rivers to Cross,” “Johnny Too Bad,” “Cherry O Baby,” “Here I am (Come and Take Me), “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “Kingston Town,” “Come Back Darling,” “Holy Holy,” among other great classics.
Also in that mix are collaborations, with epic artists like with Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. Together they covered the Sony and Cher classic with “I Got You Babe” and hit it big with “Breakfast in Bed.” Another of the band’s songs that made them larger-than-life was their take on the Elvis classic, “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.”
The magic of those early years heavily featured Ali and Astro. No matter which version of the band you follow, they will forever have an unbreakable bond between its bandmates and their fans.
Earlier in 2021, another UB40 founding member passed away. Brian Travers, singer and songwriter for the band, died after a battle with cancer.
For fans, we’ll wait and see what the cause was, but one thing is certain, Astro was a fan favorite and will forever bring a smile to their faces through his music. Astro was 64 years old.
This is an evolving story, look for updates as additional details become available.
