UB40’s Ali Campbell has confessed he’s ‘still reeling’ from the death of his former bandmate Astro, who died suddenly last November aged 64.
The singer, 63, admitted he was ‘knocked for six’ when his late friend, whose real name is Terence Wilson, ‘unexpectedly’ passed away because he had been in ‘such a good place’.
Ali told The Mirror: ‘The last time I saw him he said, “I’ll see you next Friday, kid,” and I said, “Alright Ast.” And that was it.’
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Upset: UB40’s Ali Campbell has confessed he’s ‘still reeling’ from the death of his former bandmate Astro, who died suddenly last November aged 64
Astro had only just finished working with the group on their latest album Unprecedented, when he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home.
The Red Red Wine songster added: ‘I’m just happy that we got the chance to be in Jamaica where we did four tracks together. It was nice to spend 11 days with my brother in a place we both loved. He was really happy with the album and his input.
‘I didn’t appreciate how special that time was until afterwards. I give thanks for that. As I do that his death was very quick and sudden. He didn’t know anything about it.’
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Oh no! The singer, 63, (right) admitted he was ‘knocked for six’ when his late friend (left) ‘unexpectedly’ passed away because he had been in ‘such a good place’ (pictured in 2014)
Astro passed away just three months after his fellow founding member of the band Brian Travers, following a battle with cancer.
Ali went on to reveal he ‘questioned his own mortality’ since he had spent ‘all his adult life’ with the pair but ultimately claimed he’s ‘not scared’ of dying, himself.
Astro was a member of UB40 from the late 1970s until 2013 when he left to team up with Campbell and keyboardist Mickey Virtue, who had previously quit.
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TRagic: Astro passed away just three months after his fellow founding member of the band Brian Travers (pictured in 2019), following a battle with cancer
Astro was a member of UB40 from the late 1970s until 2013 when he left to team up with Ali and keyboardist Mickey Virtue, who had previously quit.
Virtue later departed the breakaway group after the release of 2018 album A Real Labour Of Love.
A statement on the band’s official Twitter said: ‘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.
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Throwback: Astro was a member of UB40 from the late 1970s until 2013 when he left to team up with Ali and keyboardist Mickey Virtue, who had previously quit (UB40 pictured in 1983)
‘The world will never be the same without him. We ask you to please respect his family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time.’
A statement from the current UB40 line-up said: ‘RIP ASTRO.
‘We have heard tonight, the sad news that ex-member of UB40, Terence Wilson, better know as Astro, has passed away after a short illness.
‘Our sincere condolences to his family.’
Ali was an original member of the UB40 line-up and his brother Duncan took over as lead singer when Ali quit in 2008 over a disagreement about management.
UB40 recently announced musician Matt Doyle will replace Duncan as their new lead singer after he announced his retirement from music in June after having a seizure at home.
UB40 formed in 1978 in Birmingham, choosing their name as a reference to a form issued to people claiming unemployment benefits at the time.
Since Ali and Astro reunited in 2013, they have embarked on multiple UK arena 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.
