UB40
Present Arms And Welcome to UB40.EU The Unofficial UB40 European Fan's Website!
UB40 are a British dub / reggae pop music band formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England. UB40 are arguably the number one reggae act of all time in terms of record sales (over 55 million), chart positions and world touring schedule. During their three-decade long career, they have been performing sell-out shows worldwide, and headlining the Reggae Sunsplash Tour in Jamaica as well as spreading reggae to Russia and South America, among others.
The band continue to tour regularly, and are on the road in May playing in Holland, Spain and Germany and back in the UK through July to September
UB40 - Present Arms - Rotterdam Live (2003)
The band is one of the world's most culturally diverse dub reggae bands with musicians of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage. The common link between the band is Birmingham where they grew up together.
The band took it's name from the UK government's Department of Health and Social Security unemployment benefit form the "Unemployment Benefit, Form 40".
Their first album titled "Signing Off," represented the band signing off from the unemployment benefit. The Pretenders gave the band their first break when, after seeing them play live, Chrissie Hynde asked them to support them on their UK tour.
UB40 were influenced by the many Blues Parties they attended as teenagers in the multiracial Balsall Heath area of Birmingham, their love of ska and reggae inspired such original tracks as "King", "Madam Medusa", "Food for Thought", "Signing Off" and "One in Ten".
UB40 - 2008-05-13 -Amsterdam H.M.H. Red Red Wine
Their early music style was unique, with a heavy influence of analogue synthesizers, psychedelic rock guitar, saxophone and dub producer techniques which were later perfected by the late Pablo Falconer.
Lyrically, UB40 early work often tackled social issues such as racism and unemployment and although the band may have mellowed with age they still cover serious topics such HIV/AIDS in 2003's "Cover Up" and more recently the Iraq War in 2005's "Who You Fighting For?"
Discography
Singles
Albums
UB40 Oringal Line up 1978-2008
Norman Hassan - born 26 January 1958, in Birmingham - percussion, trombone, vocals.
Brian Travers - born 7 February 1959, in Birmingham - saxophone.
Robin Campbell - born 25 December 1954, in Birmingham - lead guitar, vocals.
Mickey Virtue - born Michael Virtue, 19 January 1957, in Birmingham - keyboards.
Ali Campbell - born Alistair Campbell, 15 February 1959, in Birmingham - guitar, lead vocals.
Earl Falconer - born 23 January 1957, in Birmingham - bass guitar, vocals.
Astro - born Terence Wilson, 24 June 1957, in Birmingham - toasting vocals, percussion, trumpet.
James (Jimmy) Brown - born 20 November 1957, in Birmingham - drums.
Guest members past and present:
Patrick Tenyue (trumpet) (1983-1994)
Henry Tenyue (trombone) (1983-1994)
Martin Meredith (saxophone) (1997 onwards)
Laurence Parry (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone) (1995 onwards)
Ali, Robin and Duncan Campbell have a musical heritage, being sons of Ian Campbell, a folk musician.
The band bought their first instruments with compensation money Ali Campbell received after a bar fight. They have had a number of hits, and are probablt best known for their version of "Red Red Wine", a cover version of a Neil Diamond song (in an arrangement similar to that of Tony Tribe's version). Their most successful single release is the cover of the Elvis Presley ballad "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" which was intended to be the main title to the 1992 Sharon Stone movie Sliver and was a Number One hit across Europe and in the U.S. In fact, all three of their UK Number One hits and all four of their U.S. top ten hits were cover versions (although the band contest that Food For Thought / King would have made number one had it been distributed to the "chart" shops ....it reached number 4 in the UK chart).
Many of UB40's recordings were inspired by 1960s ska which would otherwise been forgotten in the public eye. The band's injection of life into so many old Jamaican hits has resulted in many musicians' and producers' renewed popularity and much welcome income.
UB40 have collaborated with many acts over their career including: Pato Banton, Madness, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde, Robert Palmer, Hunterz, Japanese artist Mikidozan, French artist Nuttea, Lady Saw, Afrika Bambaataa and 808 State.
UB40 - 2008-05-13 -Amsterdam H.M.H. Sing Our Own Song
2008 Ali Quits, Mickey follows
Following the release of Ali's second solo album "Running Free" at the end of 2007 the lead singer shocked the music World by announcing his departure from the band following tour dates in New Zealand, Australia and Uganda. The reason for the split appears to be conflicts of interest relating to the band's business affairs coupled with the demands on Ali to promote the upcoming UB40 album 24/7 due for release in May.
It's interesting to read what the Campbell brothers had to say in their autobiography "Blood and Fire" released last year relating to previous financial matters and there was concern over the long term finances and pension arrangements. It seems these concerns have come to a head and Ali is demanding transparency from the Band's financial management. Since Ali's departure Mickey Virtue has also quit the band citing similar reasons.
Bring on Duncan (and Tony)
To help fill the void left by Ali Campbell, UB40 have enlisted Duncan Campbell, brother of Robin and Ali and keyboard player Tony Mullings. The two were unveiled at a special fans' showcase on 6th May. The show went down superbly well and was a great boost ahead of Duncan's first ever shows as lead singer in Holland , Spain and Germany.
Fans were taken aback by Duncan's similarities to his brothers and delighted as he hit the right note as the band opened with Food for Thought.
Food For Thought - UB40 (New line up)
"TwentyFourSeven" was released in the summer of 2008 featuring 17 tracks including collaborations from amongs others, Maxi Priest and the voice of Duncan Campbell.
The new album reminds us the case of Gary Tyler incarcerated in Louisiana for the murder of Timothy Weber
UB40 - 2008-05-13 -Amsterdam H.M.H. Rainbow Nation
The band are currently in the studio recording "Labour of Love 4" and have announced a series of tour dates for the end of 2009.
...and here's a sneak preview!Easy Snapping
Cream Puff
Bring it on Home to Me
I Don't Want To See You Cry