UB40 founding member Astro dies after short illness

UB40 members (L-R) Robin Campbell, Ali Campbell and Astro pose for photographers during a news conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, July 6, 2007. Image: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

LONDON — One of the founding members of British reggae band UB40, Terence Wilson, has died after a short illness, his band has announced.

Wilson, known by his stage name Astro, left the band in 2013 to perform with breakaway group “UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro.”

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 (@UB40) November 6, 2021

“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,” the group said in a statement on Twitter late on Saturday.

UB40, formed in 1978, is behind the hits “Red Red Wine” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” a remake of the Elvis Presley classic. JB

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