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 & ASTRO (@UB40) November 6, 2021

Terence Wilson, better known as Astro was a musician, rapper, toaster and founder of the Birmingham diverse group UB40 who were formed in 1978. The late musician received his name Astro due to him wearing a pair of Dr Marten boots named Astronaut. The band are famed for their hit single “Red Red Wine” released in 1983. The single was re-released in 1988 and saw the late musician add a rap to the reissued extended version of the single. 

The late musician also wrote the band’s hit single “Rat In Mi Kitchen” and left the band in 2013 to join co-founder Ali Campbell (Previous Lead vocalist for UB40 and songwriter) and Mickey Virtue (Keyboardist). Virtue left the band in late 2018 leaving the late musician and Campbell as a duo. Campbell in speaking of the late musician’s time in the original lineup of UB40 said “Astro was under used in UB40’s early days,” “He provided the lead on a few songs, like ‘Rat In Mi Kitchen’, but was also overlooked despite the fact that the public loved him. Since he came over to my fold, it’s been great all the way”

The late musician in speaking of performing with Campbell again said “That the years rolled away” when he reunited with Campbell and that he was having fun making music with him again”  Campbell and the late rapper created the drink Red Red Wine Bordeaux Superieur in honour of their hit single “Red Red Wine”. The Trio released their album A Real Labour of Love in March 2018, the album was well received and reached number two in the Official Albums Charts.   

What a result for @UB40 ft. Ali, Astro & Mickey! A Real Labour Of Love is this week’s highest new entry on the Official Albums Chart. See where it landed: https://t.co/WriZJpf7b1 pic.twitter.com/2Nvm9OeOVt — Official Charts (@officialcharts) March 11, 2018 .

The duo wrapped up their 2019 A Real Labour of Love tour before the Covid 19 Lockdown. The late musician and Campbell wrote songs for their forthcoming album during the Covid 19 Lockdown and celebrated the 40th Anniversary, of their August 1980 debut album Signing Off and their February 1980 debut single “King/Food For Thought” in 2020.

A remake of Bill Wither’s hit single “Lean On Me” was also released by the duo for the NHS Charities Together Urgent Covid 19 appeal in April 2020 and they were recently announced as part of The Isle of Wight 2022 Festival lineup. The late musician and Campbell were also set to release their new album Unprecedented in February and was to perform during their The Unprecedented tour in 2022. The original lineup of UB40 which now includes new frontman Matt Doyle upon hearing of Astro’s sad passing said in their tweet.

RIP ASTRO We have heard tonight, the sad news that ex-member of UB40, Terence Wilson, better known 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

In announcing the late musician’s sad passing the band stated that he passed away from a short illness and provided no further details. Ali Campbell expressed the loss of his bandmate in his latest tweet.

#RIPAstro

Love Al pic.twitter.com/k6Ikpvn8wl

— ALI CAMPBELL & ASTRO (@UB40) November 8, 2021

The band were stable from 1979 until 2008. In 2008 frontman, Ali Campbell and keyboardist Mickey Virtue left the band and continued to work as UB40. In November 2013 Astro left the band to join Campbell and Virtue. Virtue has now left the band that he formed with Campbell and Astro. Ali and Astro continue to work as a duo.

Following the departure of his brother Ali Campbell, Duncan Campbell became the frontman of UB40. Duncan retired from the band in August 2020 due to suffering from ill-health. Matt Doyle was then announced as the band’s new frontman on 5th July. Doyle was previously the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band Kioko and has previously worked with the band. Both lineups are known as UB40.

Doyle featured on the band’s “You Don’t Call Anymore” single from the band’s album “Bigga Baggariddim“. Upon joining the band Doyle expressed his happiness by saying “I don’t quite know how to put into words just how incredibly honoured andhadateful I feel to be given this opportunity” Doyle also wished Duncan a full recovery.

Have you had a listen to our new album ‘#BiggaBaggariddm‘?

Stream now – https://t.co/E1tdKhwvjv

Featuring @houseofshem, @tippairie7665, @BLVKH3RO, @BadBoysOfReggae, #PabloRider, @KIOKOMusicUK, @UmommaGordon, @Slingeroriginal, @winstonfrancis, @LenoBanton, @ReggaeRajahs#UB40 pic.twitter.com/jZfLGWB93M

— UB40 (@UB40OFFICIAL) August 3, 2021

The band have now announced a 24 date UK tour with their new frontman Doyle. The tour is named after the band’s album “Bigga Baggariddim”. Doyle expressed his happiness to be embarking on his first tour with the band and stated that “I’m very excited, me and the band will give fans a show they will never forget”

The band’s UK tour with new frontman Doyle starts on November 19th in Castlebar and ends on December 22nd in Nottingham.

UB40 Tour dates are below. Tickets are available here

19/11/21 Royal Theatre- Castlebar
20/11 Ulster Hall- Belfast
21/11 INEC- Kerry
24/ 11 Usher Hall- Edinburgh
25/11 Barrowland- Glasgow
27/11 Music Hall- Aberdeen
28/11 Globe- Stockton
30/11 Empress- Blackpool
01/12 Royal & Derngate Hall- Northampton
02/12 UEA- Norwich
04/12 Apollo- Manchester
05/12 Olympia- Liverpool
06/12 Portsmouth- Guildhall
08/12 Arena- Leeds
09/12 Brighton Centre- Brighton
10/12 Motorpoint Arena- Cardiff
12/12 SSE Arena- London
13/12 Centaur- Cheltenham
14/12 Pavillions- Plymouth
16/12 Bonus Arena- Hull
18/12 02 Academy- Bournemouth
19/12 02 Academy- Bristol
20/12 Victoria Hall- Stoke
22/12 Motorpoint Arena- Nottingham

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ub40-announce-first-tour-with-new-frontman-matt-doyle/feed/ 0 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ub40s-duncan-campbell-retires-due-to-health-issues/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ub40s-duncan-campbell-retires-due-to-health-issues/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2021 22:46:25 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=36855 UB40 were formed in 1978 in Birmingham, named after form the unemployed had to fill out to claim benefits at the time. The reggae and pop band welcomed Duncan Campbell as their singer in 2008, after  Ali Campbell left the band due to a dispute with management. Robin Campbell, his bandmate, is also his brother.

Campbell has decided to leave the band due to health concerns. Earlier this month he suffered a seizure, which while it left no damage comes less than a year after the singer suffered a stroke in August 2020. He made a full recovery, but has decided that his ill health means he must retire from the music industry. In a statement, he said: ‘Unfortunately, due to continued ill health, I have reluctantly decided to retire from the band so as to focus on my recovery…‘I am very grateful, and would like to express my sincere thanks to the fans for all their support during this time and indeed throughout my time with UB40. The band have my full support going forward and, of course, my very best wishes for the future with their new singer.’

Campbell’s brother, Robin Campbell, also spoke out on the matter, saying ‘We’ve been rehearsing with every intention of Duncan’s return to performing, but sadly, after suffering further illness, he has made the decision to retire from music in order to concentrate fully on his recovery….While we are deeply saddened, we completely understand and fully support his decision. As far as touring goes, we are ready to hit the road for our upcoming summer shows and will be announcing our new frontman imminently.’

The news comes just after UB40’s new album ‘Bigga Baggariddim’ was released last week. No announcement has been made on who will replace Campbell as the singer of the band.