UB40
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Many of their recordings were inspired by 1960s ska and early lover’s rock songs that would have otherwise been forgotten in the public eye. UB40 are arguably the number one reggae act of all time in terms of record sales, chart positions and touring schedule. One of their charts topping hit album released is, Labour of Love.
Members
James (Jimmy) Brown" (drums)
Ali Campbell (guitar, lead vocals)
Robin Campbell (lead vocals, guitar)
Earl Falconer (bass, guitar)
Norman Hassan (percussion, trombone, vocals)
Brian Travers (saxophone)
Mickey Virtue (keyboards)
Astro (toasting vocals, percussion, trumpet)
Contents |
About
UB40 was formed in 1978 by brothers "Robin Campbell" on guitar and "Ali Campbell" on lead vocals with "Earl Falconer" on bass, "Mickey Virtue" on keyboard, "Brian Travers" on saxophone, "Jim Brown" on drums, "Norman Hassan" on percussionist and "Terence Wilson" on toaster. UB40 grew up in the heart of Birmingham, one of England's most ethnically diverse cities. The band members began as mates who knew each other from various colleges and schools across Birmingham. The band purchased its first instruments with compensation money Ali Campbell received after a bar fight, even though few of the members knew how to play them.
The band held their first performance on February 9, 1979 during a friend’s birthday party at the Hare and Hounds Pub in Kings Health, Birmingham. They took their first break when "Chrissie Hynde", member of the band, The Pretenders saw them and the group was invited by Chrissie to tour with them.
They released their first single, "King"/"Food for Thought" in 1980 under Graduate Records and chartered at #4 on the UK Singles Chart. They released their first album, Signing Off in November 1980 and reached at #2 in the UK Albums Chart. It spent 72 weeks in the top of the chart.
Their next album, Labour of Love was released in 1983, which chartered at #1 on the UK Albums Chart and #8 on the US Billboard Top 200. It spawned the hit single, "Red Red Wine". The song topped the British singles charts in 1983. The band has produced more single and albums, which became a chart topping hits. In 1989, Labour of Love II was released and issued the hit single, "Can't Help Falling in Love" which chartered #1 on US Pop Chart for seven consecutive weeks.
During their three-decade year 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. They even have performed at the BBC Proms, an event more associated with classical music.
Awards & Certifications
There are no awards at this time
Chart Toppers
| Year | UK Albums Chart | US Albums Chart | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 1 | 8 | Labour of Love |
News
Tours & Concerts
Nov 20, 2007 The Brighton Centre, Brighton, United Kingdom
Nov 23, 2007 INEC, Killarney, Ireland
Nov 25, 2007 Odyssey Arena, Belfast, United Kingdom
Nov 26, 2007 Royal Dublin Society - Main Hall Dublin, Ireland
Nov 28, 2007 Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Dec 04, 2007 Bournemouth International Centre / BIC / B.I.C., Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Dec 05, 2007 Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth, Devon England, United Kingdom
Dec 07, 2007 Wembley Arena, London, United Kingdom
Dec 10, 2007 Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Dec 11, 2007 Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Dec 13, 2007 Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre Hall 4, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Dec 14, 2007 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, United Kingdom
Dec 16, 2007 Manchester Evening News Arena / MEN Arena, Manchester, United Kingdom
Dec 17, 2007 Cardiff International Arena / CIA / C.I.A., Cardiff, United Kingdom
Dec 20, 2007 National Exhibition Centre / NEC Birmingham, United Kingdom
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
 Signing Off
November 1980 |
 Present Arms
May 1981 |
 Present Arms in Dub
October 1981 |
 UB44
September 1982 |
 Labour of Love
September 1983 |
 Geffery Morgan
1984 |
 UB40 File
1985 |
|
 Labour of Love II
November 1989 |
 UB40
1988 |
 Promises and Lies
July 27, 1993 |
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 Guns in the Ghetto
July 1, 1997 |
 Presents the Dancehall Album
May 1998 |
 Labour of Love III
November 17, 1998 |
 Homegrown
December 2, 2003 |
 Who You Fighting For?
July 19, 2005 |
Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Impossible Love | Alex |
| 1991 | Baby | Alex |
| 1993 | Way You Do the Things You Do | Virgin |
| 1993 | Bring Me Your Cup | Alex |
| 1994 | Reggae Music | Alex |
| 1994 | C'est la Vie | Virgin |
| 1995 | Kingston Town | Virgin |
| 2003 | Swing Low | Dep International |
Compilations & Live Releases
 Live
1983 |
 The Best of UB40, Vol. 2
November 7, 1995 |
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 Best of UB40, Vol. 1
November 14, 1995 |
 Very Best of UB40 1980-2000
November 21, 2000 |
 Cover Up
January 1, 2002 |
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Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Influences
Trivia
- The band was named after the paper form issued by the UK government's Department of Employment at the time of the band's formation for claiming unemployment benefit (UB40 = Unemployment Benefit, Form 40).
Reviews
External Links
Categories: Artist | Dub | Pop
