Terence Wilson, Astro by his stage name, former singer and founding member of British reggae group UB40, has died at the age of 64 from illness, his group announced on Saturday.
"We are totally devastated to have to tell you that our beloved Astro passed away today after a brief illness," his current group, which bears the name of "UB40 featuring Ali Campbell & Astro", posted on Twitter late Saturday.
“The world will never be the same without him”.
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
UB40 pic.twitter.com/6huxc1wN8k
- UB40 (@ UB40OFFICIAL) November 6, 2021
His former group also confirmed the information, adding that he had died from a "brief illness".
Astro had played with UB40 until 2013, before forming another group.
UB40's cover of Neil Diamond's song “Red Red Wine” propelled the band to the top with over 100 million records sold.
The name of the group, founded in 1978 in Birmingham, refers to the UK Unemployment Benefits, Form 40.
Drummer Jimmy Brown told The Guardian this year the group has been under surveillance by UK Home Intelligence.
“MI5 had bugged our phones and was monitoring our homes,” he said.
"We are not planning a revolution, but if a revolution were to take place, we knew which side we were on," he said.