Since Ali went solo, he has toured to 70 countries. The latest gig is what he calls a “hits tour” with UB40 songs he never gets tired of singing. He adds that his vocals are still the same after all these years as he “sings through his nose”.
Proud that his cover of Lean On Me put out when Bill Withers died, got to number six in the itunes chart, Ali adds: “They haven’t released anything that’s done anything much. They are like a rudderless ship whereas I’m with the best reggae band in the world.”
Ali now lives in Dorset by the seaside. He regularly visits Jamaica, where he bought several houses in the past. One property he even had built with band mates Earl and Astro in Ocho Rios on the north coast of the Caribbean island. “I go back to Jamaica all the time as I love the place, the music is just fabulous and the food great and people are lovely,” he adds.
It’s one of the many places that Ali has a link to tragic Astro, born Terence Wilson but died aged just 64 in 2021. Fans devotion to his ex-band mate means Astro T-shirts are still popular at his tour, which features “a nod to Astro”.
“Astro has left a hole that can never be filled. It was a nasty virus that got him,” adds Ali. “Children were getting the same virus but he had underlying health issues that he wasn’t really taking care of and that’s what done for him.
“He’s very sadly missed. The whole band miss him but you have to carry on. You bite your lip and carry on.”
Ali Campbell with Astro at the NEC in Birmingham on March 1, 1990 (Image: Mirrorpix)
There’s no signs of the family reuniting as Ali adds: “People have got a choice haven’t they? If you want to go and see them that’s fair enough, but if you want to come and see the man that sang all the hits, come and see me,” he laughs. “I’ve got probably the best reggae band in the world I’d say.
“It’s a joy and we’re getting the best response we’ve ever had on this tour. I love playing Brum. But I know most of the audience. That’s the problem as I can’t play up on stage as most would go ‘what’s the matter with Ali.”
