DER UB40-MITGRÜNDER, SÄNGER UND MUSIKER TERENCE "ASTRO" WILSON IST GESTORBEN

07.11.2021 Der am 24. Juni 1957 in Birmingham geborene britische Sänger, Rapper, Toaster, Trompeter und Perkussionist Terence "Astro" Wilson (Bild) ist am 6. November 2021 gestorben. Er war 1979 Gründungsmitglied der britischen Band UB40. Mit Liedern wie "Red Red Wine" und "Can't Help Falling in Love" feierte die Band ab den 1980er-Jahren weltweite Erfolge. Sie galt als eine der erfolgreichsten Reggae-Bands des Planeten und verkaufte mehr als 100 Millionen Tonträger, davon alleine in ihrer Heimat über 10,3 Millionen. Im Jahr 2013 verliess Astro UB40, um mit den ehemaligen Bandmitgliedern Ali Campbell und Mickey Virtue zusammenzuarbeiten.

Foto: Egghead06, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Egghead06?uselang=de - Lizenz: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.de - Datei: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AstroUB40.jpg?uselang=de

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

https://twitter.com/UB40OFFICIAL/status/1457096799437590535

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.

Ali Campbell

https://twitter.com/UB40/status/1457085875209359368

UB40 former member Astro dies after short illness

Asked how he felt about touring and performing live, Astro said: "There is no job on this planet that gives you the job satisfaction that I get. I live to be on stage.“

Dulcie Lee

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59195024

UB40 enjoyed sustained success with more than 50 entries in the UK singles charts – including Red Red Wine and (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You. The group sold about 100m albums worldwide.

Nadeem Badshah

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/06/former-ub40-member-astro-dies-after-short-illness

In June, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro performed a special online concert of UB40’s 1980 album Signing Off in its entirety.

Since Campbell and Astro reunited in 2013, they have embarked on multiple UK arena tours, while their world tours have included 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.

Laura Harding

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/ub40-terence-wilson-astro-death-b964798.html

Terence ‘Astro’ Wilson, Longtime UB40 Vocalist, Dead at 64

Wilson “toasted” on 19 of British reggae band’s albums, including the Number One hit rendition of “Red Red Wine”

Daniel Kreps

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/terence-astro-wilson-ub40-vocalist-toaster-dead-obit-1254477/

Tributes have begun to be paid online following the news of Astro’s death, with fans calling the Birmingham musician a “Brum legend”.

“Sad to read of Astro’s passing,” one Twitter user said. “I grew up listening to UB40, Signing Off is such a brilliant album today. Saw him a few times down the Blues, always with a smile and always got a great reception.”

Rhian Daly

https://www.nme.com/news/music/ub40-toaster-astro-died-very-short-illness-3088983

Stimme der informierten Arbeiterklasse

Eines seiner letzten Interviews hatte Wilson dem britischen »Guardian« im Mai dieses Jahres gegeben. Darin sagte er, dass die Band UB40 bei ihrer Gründung 1978 die Stimme der informierten Arbeiterklasse gewesen sei.

In ihren Texten beschäftigten sich die Musiker immer wieder mit sozialen Themen wie Rassismus oder Arbeitslosigkeit. Der Bandname selbst war eine Anspielung auf das britische Arbeitslosenversicherungsformular »Unemployment Benefit, Form 40«.

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https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/grossbritannien-ub40-gruendungsmitglied-terence-astro-wilson-ist-tot-a-46c3c2f6-6555-4ebb-9453-dc1cb31e4e99

Videos:

UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey - Red Red Wine (Unplugged / Live Teaser)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJfkNvcIZ34

UB40 - One in Ten

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usYgf8cVfvU&t=45s

UB40 - The Way You Do The Things You Do (Official Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2RZPMo5jAs

UB40 - Red Red Wine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T2MIGuA8p4

UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You (Official Video)