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On [[24 January]] [[2008]] it was announced that Ali Campbell would be leaving the group after 30 years. It was originally stated that this was in order for Campbell to concentrate on solo projects, but Campbell later said he was leaving due to "management difficulties". The remaining 7 members released a statement saying: “''Ali made a very simple decision, he chose to pursue and put his solo career over and above continuing to work with UB40 after February 2008, it’s as simple as that''".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7209015.stm UB40 singer Campbell quits group]</ref> |
On [[24 January]] [[2008]] it was announced that Ali Campbell would be leaving the group after 30 years. It was originally stated that this was in order for Campbell to concentrate on solo projects, but Campbell later said he was leaving due to "management difficulties". The remaining 7 members released a statement saying: “''Ali made a very simple decision, he chose to pursue and put his solo career over and above continuing to work with UB40 after February 2008, it’s as simple as that''".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7209015.stm UB40 singer Campbell quits group]</ref> |
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It is thought by many (even some newspapers, radio stations and other publications) that Maxi Priest is to be the new lead singer, however it is an erroneous claim. Band members (Brian Travers, Robin Campbell and Martin Meredith) have all stated UB40 would have no true lead singer from now, but would split up the singing duties between current members Robin Campbell, Astro, Earl and Norman...as well as newcomer to the band (and brother of Robin), Duncan Campbell. <ref>http://www.ub40.co.uk</ref> |
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On [[13 March]] [[2008]] it has been revealed that [[Maxi Priest]] would be the new lead singer of UB40. Priest joined UB40 on tour in 2007, culminating in sell out shows at the NEC in December.<ref>[http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/sport-news/tm_headline=maxi-priest-is-new-singer-with-ub40&method=full&objectid=20619788&siteid=65233-name_page.html Maxi Priest is new singer with UB40]</ref> |
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On [[19 March]] [[2008]] a second member of the band left as a result of "management trouble". Keyboard player Michael Virtue followed Campbell, and also launched an investigation, with Campbell's legal company, into the financial dealings of the group.<ref>[http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/rock-pop-music-birmingham/2008/03/19/now-virtue-follows-campbell-out-of-ub40-65233-20648606/ Now Virtue follows Campbell out of UB40]</ref> |
On [[19 March]] [[2008]] a second member of the band left as a result of "management trouble". Keyboard player Michael Virtue followed Campbell, and also launched an investigation, with Campbell's legal company, into the financial dealings of the group.<ref>[http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/rock-pop-music-birmingham/2008/03/19/now-virtue-follows-campbell-out-of-ub40-65233-20648606/ Now Virtue follows Campbell out of UB40]</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:43, 21 April 2008
UB40 |
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UB40 are a British reggae band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. Featuring the same line-up of 8 musicians from 1978-2008, the band placed more than 50 singles on the UK charts, and achieved considerable international success as well. Their #1 hits include "Red Red Wine" (#1 US/UK/Canada/NZ/Holland), "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" (#1 US/UK/Australia/Sweden/Holland), and "I Got You Babe" (#1 UK/Holland).
History
The band members began as friends who knew each other from various colleges and schools across Birmingham. The name "UB40" was selected in reference to a paper form issued by the UK government's Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) at the time of the band's formation for claiming unemployment benefit. The designation UB40 stood for Unemployment Benefit, Form 40. [1]
Before any of them could play their instruments, Ali Campbell and Brian Travers travelled around Birmingham promoting the band, putting up UB40 posters. The band purchased its first instruments from Woodroffe's Musical Instruments with £4,000 in compensation money that Campbell, who would become the lead singer, received after a bar fight during his 17th birthday celebration.
Their first gig took place on February 9, 1979 at The Hare & Hounds Pub in Kings Heath, Birmingham for a friend's birthday party.
UB40 caught their first break when Chrissie Hynde noticed them at a pub and gave them an opportunity as a support act to her band, The Pretenders. UB40's first single, "King"/"Food for Thought" was released on Graduate Records, a local independent label run by David Virr. It reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
Their first album was titled Signing Off, as the band were signing off from or closing their claim on the unemployment benefit. It was recorded in a bedsit in Birmingham and was produced by Bob Lamb. Norman Hassan said of the recording: "if you stripped my track down, you could hear the birds in the background." This is because his tracks were recorded outside in the garden. Signing Off was released on September 6, 1980, and entered the UK Albums Chart on October 2, 1980. It reached as high as No. 2 in the UK and spent 72 weeks in total on the chart. Signing Off is now a Platinum album.
Despite great success in the UK, UB40's popularity in the United States was only established after they released Labour of Love, an album of cover songs, in 1983. The album reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Top 200 in the US. The album featured the song, "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 1993 Sharon Stone movie Sliver and was a number one hit across Europe and in the U.S.
In June 2007, Sparta Florida Music Group started legal action against heiress Paris Hilton and Warner Chappell Music for plagiarism due to similarities between the song "Stars Are Blind" and the song "Kingston Town", originally by Lord Creator. It was frequently misreported that UB40 was the instigator of the action,[2][3], and that it centered on their 1990 cover of the song. However, according to a statement UB40's site, they are not involved, and "Any speculated legal action taking place against Ms. Hilton would be entirely at the instigation of the original songwriter’s music publisher...who ultimately own the copyright to the song."[4]
UB40 toured South Africa in July 2007 and headlined the Live Earth concert at the Cradle of Humankind, near Johannesburg. They performed one of the longest sets for the event at approximately 54 minutes.
On 21 August 2007, they performed with Cas Haley on the America's Got Talent Season Finale. In 2007 UB40 were signed by Ingenious Media PLC, a boutique London investment bank that finances comeback albums.
On 24 January 2008 it was announced that Ali Campbell would be leaving the group after 30 years. It was originally stated that this was in order for Campbell to concentrate on solo projects, but Campbell later said he was leaving due to "management difficulties". The remaining 7 members released a statement saying: “Ali made a very simple decision, he chose to pursue and put his solo career over and above continuing to work with UB40 after February 2008, it’s as simple as that".[5]
It is thought by many (even some newspapers, radio stations and other publications) that Maxi Priest is to be the new lead singer, however it is an erroneous claim. Band members (Brian Travers, Robin Campbell and Martin Meredith) have all stated UB40 would have no true lead singer from now, but would split up the singing duties between current members Robin Campbell, Astro, Earl and Norman...as well as newcomer to the band (and brother of Robin), Duncan Campbell. [6]
On 19 March 2008 a second member of the band left as a result of "management trouble". Keyboard player Michael Virtue followed Campbell, and also launched an investigation, with Campbell's legal company, into the financial dealings of the group.[7]
Influences
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".
Their early musical style was unique, with a heavy influence of analogue synthesisers, psychedelic rock guitar, saxophone and dub producer techniques which were later perfected by the late Pablo Falconer.
Ali and Robin Campbell have a musical heritage, being sons of Ian Campbell, a folk musician.
Many of UB40's recordings were inspired by 1960s ska and early lovers rock.
Achievements
UB40 is one of the most successful reggae acts of all time in terms of record sales (over 70 million), chart positions and touring schedule. During their three-decade long career, they have been performing sell-out shows worldwide and headlining the Reggae Sunsplash music festival in Jamaica, as well as spreading reggae to Russia and South America, among others. They even have performed at the BBC Proms, an event more associated with classical music.
Much of UB40's commercial appeal came from their releases of classic cover songs. In fact, all three of their UK number one hits and four of their five U.S. top ten hits were cover versions.
UB40's early music has often tackled social issues such as racism and unemployment.
Other artists that UB40 have collaborated with include: Pato Banton, Madness, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde, Robert Palmer, Hunterz, Japanese artist Mikidozan, French artist Nuttea, Lady Saw, Afrika Bambaataa, 808 State and Scary Éire.
Band Members
The ethnic makeup of the band is diverse, with musicians of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage. From the band's 1978 inception through early 2008, UB40's line-up was constant:
- James (Jimmy) Brown - born 20 November 1957, Birmingham - drums
- Ali Campbell - born Alistair Campbell, 15 February 1959, Birmingham - guitar, lead vocals
- Robin Campbell - born 25 December 1954, Birmingham - lead guitar, vocals
- Earl Falconer - born 23 January 1957, Birmingham - bass guitar, vocals
- Norman Hassan - born 26 January 1958, Birmingham - percussion, trombone, vocals
- Brian Travers - born 7 February 1959, Birmingham - saxophone
- Mickey Virtue - born Michael Virtue, 19 January 1957, Birmingham - keyboards
- Astro - born Terence Wilson, 24 June 1957, Birmingham - toasting vocals, percussion, trumpet
Guest members include(d):
- Patrick Tenyue (trumpet) (1983–94)
- Henry Tenyue (trombone) (1983–94)
- Martin Meredith (saxophone) (1997— )
- Laurence Parry (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone) (1995— )
In 2008 Ali Campbell left the band, followed shortly thereafter by Mickey Virtue.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | UK | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Signing Off | 2 | - |
| 1981 | Present Arms | 2 | - |
| 1981 | Present Arms in Dub | 38 | - |
| 1982 | UB44 | 4 | - |
| 1982 | The Singles Album | 17 | - |
| 1983 | UB40 Live | 44 | - |
| 1983 | More UB40 Music | - | - |
| 1983 | Labour of Love 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 1984 | Geffery Morgan | 3 | 60 |
| 1985 | Baggariddim | 14 | - |
| 1985 | Little Baggariddim | - | 40 |
| 1985 | The UB40 File | - | - |
| 1986 | Rat in the Kitchen | 4 | 53 |
| 1987 | UB40 CCCP: Live in Moscow | - | 121 |
| 1987 | The Best of UB40 - Volume One | 3 | - |
| 1988 | UB40 | 12 | 44 |
| 1989 | Labour of Love II | 3 | 30 |
| 1993 | Promises and Lies | 1 | 6 |
| 1994 | Labour of Love, Volumes I and II (re-issue) | 5 | - |
| 1995 | The Best of UB40 - Volume Two | 12 | - |
| 1997 | Guns in the Ghetto | 7 | 176 |
| 1998 | UB40 Present the Dancehall Album | - | - |
| 1998 | Labour of Love III | 8 | - |
| 2000 | The Very Best of UB40 | 7 | - |
| 2001 | Cover Up | 29 | - |
| 2002 | UB40 Present the Fathers of Reggae | - | - |
| 2003 | Homegrown | 49 | - |
| 2003 | Labour of Love, Volumes I, II and III (re-issue) | 7 | - |
| 2005 | Who You Fighting For? | 20 | - |
| 2008 | Dub Sessions (download only) | - | - |
1 Labour Of Love reached number fifteen in the U.S. in 1988 with the re-popularization of "Red Red Wine".
Singles
| Year | Song | UK singles | U.S. Hot 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | "King"/"Food for Thought" | 4 | - |
| 1980 | "My Way of Thinking" / "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" | 6 | - |
| 1980 | "The Earth Dies Screaming" / "Dream a Lie" | 10 | - |
| 1981 | "Don't Let It Pass You By" / "Don't Slow Down" | 16 | - |
| 1981 | "One in Ten" | 7 | - |
| 1982 | "I Won't Close My Eyes" | 32 | - |
| 1982 | "Love Is All Is All Right" | 29 | - |
| 1982 | "So Here I Am" | 25 | - |
| 1983 | "I've Got Mine" | 45 | - |
| 1983 | "Red Red Wine" | 1 | 34 |
| 1983 | "Please Don't Make Me Cry" | 10 | - |
| 1983 | "Many Rivers to Cross" | 16 | - |
| 1984 | "Cherry Oh Baby" | 12 | - |
| 1984 | "If It Happens Again" | 9 | - |
| 1984 | "Riddle Me" | 59 | - |
| 1985 | "I'm Not Fooled" / "The Pillow" | 59 | - |
| 1985 | "I Got You Babe" (with Chrissie Hynde) | 1 | 28 |
| 1985 | "Don't Break My Heart" | 3 | - |
| 1986 | "Sing Our Own Song" | 5 | - |
| 1986 | "All I Want to Do" | 42 | - |
| 1987 | "Rat in my Kitchen" | 12 | - |
| 1987 | "Watchdogs" | 39 | - |
| 1987 | "Maybe Tomorrow" | 14 | - |
| 1988 | "Reckless" (with Afrika Bambaataa) | 17 | - |
| 1988 | "Where Did I Go Wrong" | 26 | - |
| 1988 | "Red Red Wine" (U.S. re-issue) | - | 1 |
| 1988 | "Breakfast in Bed" (with Chrissie Hynde) | 6 | - |
| 1988 | "Come out to Play" | 77 | - |
| 1989 | "I Would Do for You" | 45 | - |
| 1989 | "Homely Girl" | 6 | - |
| 1990 | "Kingston Town" | 4 | - |
| 1990 | "Wear You to the Ball" | 35 | - |
| 1990 | "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" (with Robert Palmer) | 6 | - |
| 1990 | "Impossible Love" | 47 | - |
| 1990 | "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" | 46 | 7 |
| 1990 | "The Way You Do the Things You Do" | 49 | 6 |
| 1991 | "Groovin'" | - | 90 |
| 1992 | "One in Ten" (remix by 808 State) | 17 | - |
| 1993 | "Can't Help Falling in Love" | 1 | 1 |
| 1993 | "Higher Ground" | 8 | 45 |
| 1993 | "Bring Me Your Cup" | 24 | - |
| 1994 | "C'est La Vie" | 37 | - |
| 1994 | "Reggae Music" | 28 | - |
| 1995 | "Until My Dying Day" | 15 | - |
| 1997 | "Tell Me Is It True" | 14 | - |
| 1997 | "Always There" | 53 | - |
| 1998 | "Come Back Darling" | 10 | - |
| 1998 | "Holly Holy" | 31 | - |
| 1999 | "The Train Is Coming" | 30 | - |
| 2000 | "Light My Fire" | 63 | - |
| 2001 | "Since I Met You Lady" (with Lady Saw) / "Sparkle of My Eyes" | 40 | - |
| 2002 | "Cover Up" | 54 | - |
| 2003 | "Swing Low" | 15 | - |
| 2005 | "Kiss and Say Goodbye" | 19 | - |
| 2005 | "Reasons" (with Hunterz and The Dhol Blasters) | 75 | - |
| 2006 | "Who You Fighting For" (download only) | - | - |
See also
- Gary Tyler — biographical subject of a song by UB40
- List of best-selling music artists
References
- ^ The DHSS was replaced by what is now the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and the UB40 no longer exists, although the term is still well understood to refer to unemployment claims in the UK.
- ^ UB40 sue Paris Hilton over copyright
- ^ Paris in UB40 rip-off row
- ^ Press Statement: PARIS HILTON & UB40
- ^ UB40 singer Campbell quits group
- ^ http://www.ub40.co.uk
- ^ Now Virtue follows Campbell out of UB40