‘I didn’t realize how special our time was’: UB40’s Ali Campbell admits he’s ‘still reeling’ from the death of his late bandmate Astro… after suffering a fatal heart attack aged 64
UB40’s Ali Campbell has confessed he “still staggers” from the death of his former bandmate Astro, who died suddenly last November aged 64.
The 63-year-old singer admitted he “knocked at six” when his late friend, whose real name is Terence Wilson, passed “unexpectedly” because he had been “in such a good place”.
Ali told The Mirror: ‘The last time I saw him he said, ‘See you next Friday kiddo’ and I said, ‘Okay Ast’. And that was it.’
Upset: UB40’s Ali Campbell has confessed he is “still reeling” from the death of his former bandmate Astro, who died suddenly last November aged 64.
Astro had just finished working with the group on their latest album, Unprecedented, when he went into cardiac arrest at his home.
The Red Red Wine singer added: “I’m just happy we had 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.
“It was only afterwards that I realized how special this time was. I thank you for that. As I do, his death was very quick and sudden. He didn’t know anything about it.”
Oh no! The singer, 63, (right) admitted he was “knocked on at six” when his late friend (left) died “unexpectedly” for having been in “such a good place” (pictured in 2014).
Astro died just three months after his band co-founder Brian Travers of complications from a battle with cancer.
Ali went on to reveal that he “questioned his own mortality” as he had spent “his entire adult life” with the couple, but ultimately claimed he was “not afraid” 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.
Tragic: Astro passed away just three months after his band co-founder Brian Travers (pictured in 2019) after 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 left the breakaway group following the release of 2018’s album A Real Labor Of Love.
A statement on the band’s official Twitter said: “We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken to announce that our beloved Astro passed away today after a very short illness.
Flashback: 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 that you respect his family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time.
A statement from the current UB40 line-up read: “RIP ASTRO.
“We received the sad news tonight that former UB40 member Terence Wilson, better known as Astro, has passed away after a short illness.
“Our sincere condolences to his family.”
Ali was an original member of the UB40 cast and his brother Duncan took over when Ali quit in 2008 due to a management disagreement.
UB40 recently announced that musician Matt Doyle will replace Duncan as the new lead singer after announcing his retirement from music in June following a seizure at home.
UB40 was founded in Birmingham in 1978 and chose its 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 several arena tours in the UK, including visits to the Americas, Nigeria, South Africa, Dubai and Australia, as well as the vineyards of New Zealand for a Red Red Winery Tour.
Talented: Since Ali and Astro reunited in 2013, they have embarked on several UK arena tours (pictured in 2018)