UB40
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About UB40
World-famous reggae stars UB40 are set to mark their 40th anniversary with a 2018 US tour and first album release in over four years.
The band will play many of their seventeen Top 10 hit singles, including ‘Kingston Town’, ‘Food For Thought’, ‘One In Ten’, ‘I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You’, ‘Don’t Break My Heart’ and ‘Sing Our Own Song’ and, of course, ‘Red, Red Wine’, amongst many other fan favourites.
Featuring five of UB40’s six founding members, Robin Campbell, Brian Travers, Jimmy Brown,Earl Falconer and Norman Hassan, and long-time members Duncan Campbell, Martin Meredith, Lawrence Parry and Tony Mullings, the group’s 40th anniversary concert followed the release of the band’s 2018 studio album.
The story of UB40, and how this group of young friends from Birmingham transcended their working-class origins to become the world’s most successful reggae band, selling over 100 million records and spending over a combined 11 years in the UK album charts, is not the stuff of fairytales as might be imagined. The group’s led a charmed life in many respects it’s true, but it’s been a long haul since the days they’d meet up in the bars and clubs around Moseley, and some of them had to scrape by on less than £8 a week unemployment benefit. The choice was simple if you’d left school early. You could either work in one of the local factories, like Robin Campbell did, or scuffle along aimlessly whilst waiting for something else to happen.
By the summer of 1978, something else did happen, and the nucleus of UB40 began rehearsing in a local basement. Robin’s younger brother Ali, Earl Falconer, Brian Travers and James Brown all knew each other from Moseley School of Art, whilst Norman Hassan had been a friend of the Campbell’s since junior school. Initially, they thought of themselves as an instrumental “jazz-dub-reggae” band, but by the time Robin was persuaded to rejoin and much later they’d recruited Michael Virtue and lastly Astro – who’d learnt his craft with Birmingham sound-system Duke Alloy – the group had already aligned themselves to left-wing political ideals and forged their own identity, separate from the many punk and Two Tone outfits around at that time. The group had nailed their colours to the mast by naming themselves after an unemployment benefit form. Their political convictions hadn’t been gleaned second hand either, but cemented in place whilst attending marches protesting against the National Front, or rallies organised by Rock Against Racism.
About UB40
UB40 is a reggae pop band that has been on the charts since the 1980s. When the group began, the members were all out of work, so they named themselves after an unemployment benefits form.1
The group has a long list of albums, including Signing Off (1980), Labour of Love (1983), and Promises and Lies (1993). They have also collaborated with other artists, including Robert Palmer, Chrissie Hynde, Bitty McLean, Afrika Bambaataa, and Pato Banton.
UB40’s music has appeared on movie soundtracks, too. Examples include A Few Good Men (1992), Black Rain (1989), and 50 First Dates (2004).1,2,3
Want to catch the band famous for Red Red Wine, and Can’t Help Falling in Love? Grab your UB40 tickets on AXS.
UB40’s Background
UB40 formed in Birmingham, UK, in 1978. Robin Campbell, his brother Ali, Earl Falconer, James Brown, and Brian Travers were friends from Moseley School of Art. They joined with Robin’s childhood friend, Norman Hassan, and Astro. Michael Virtue joined shortly after.
In 1980, the band released their debut single King b/w Food For Thought, which became a top five hit in the UK. This same year, they toured with The Pretenders and released the album Signing Off through a deal with Graduate Records.
UB40 went on to start their own record label called DEP International, and all members had a share. In 1981, they released the album Present Arms, which included the single One in Ten.
In 1982, they followed up with the album UB44, featuring songs such as "So Here I Am" and "I Got Mine". The band continued to release hit after hit, including Red Red Wine (1983), I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (1980), and Cherry Oh Baby (1983).1
UB40’s Awards
UB40 have been nominated for a number of awards. Here are some of the band’s most memorable moments:
- Grammy Awards - Best Reggae Album Nominee (2007): UB40 was nominated for this award for the album Who You Fighting For?.8
- Grammy Awards - Best Reggae Recording Nominee (1989): In the ‘80s, the band was nominated for the single Breakfast in Bed, a recognition shared with Chrissie Hynde.8
- American Music Awards - Favourite Pop/Rock Song Nominee (1994): This AMA nomination was for the song Can’t Help Falling in Love.4
UB40’s Biggest Hits
UB40 have a large catalogue of hits from the ‘80s and beyond. These are a few of their most popular singles:
- Red Red Wine (1983): This hit single made it to the number one spot on the Official UK Charts. It stayed in this position for three weeks.5
- I Got You Babe (1985): The collaboration with Chrissie Hynde peaked at number 1 on the Official UK Charts.5
- (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You (1993): Their cover of Elvis Presley’s romantic tune hit the number 1 spot on the Official UK Charts. It stayed in the top spot for two weeks.5
See UB40 Live
If you go to a UB40 concert, you can expect to hear all their classic hits. Often, there is a mix of standing and seating options, and it’s not uncommon for the audience to sing and dance.
UB40 has a full range of instruments and includes props in their performances.6
Get your UB40 tickets at AXS.