UB40 sax player Martin Meredith has posted a very personal message to Duncan Campbell following his decision to retire on medical grounds as lead singer of the reggae stars
They’ve recorded albums, toured the world and partied together – but now it’s time for a parting of the ways.
UB40 lead singer Duncan Campbell has revealed he is retiring from the band after more than 500 shows.
His departure comes just when the band have just released their 21st studio album ahead of a giant gig at Sandwell Valley Country Park from August 1 and a full UK tour this autumn.
Duncan’s willingness to accept the challenge of replacing younger brother Ali as the band’s frontman for the past 13 years has led sax player Martin Meredith to post a very personal tribute on social media.
Martin said Duncan was “never dragged once Into external storms” and had been “such a star and talent all these years.
UB40 stars Earl Falconer, Jimmy Brown, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers and brothers Duncan and Robin Campbell at the Eagle and Tun pub in Digbeth (Image: Darren Quinton)
Duncan helped UB40 to carry on recording as well as touring as far afield as United States and Australia.
Now in the 43rd year of their careers, UB40 will tour the UK again this autumn – with plans for the US next year still being formulated.
Martin posted: “For me it has been an absolute pleasure sharing the stage and time off stage with Duncan for more than ten years.
“A real true genuine gent, accepted everyone as they are, didn’t allow anyone to take themselves too seriously and be pretentious, a real down to earth lovely guy.
“I always love being in Duncan’s presence too, a real book of knowledge, political, general and world, I always learn something when I’m with Duncan.
Duncan Campbell (left) laughs as older brother Robin makes a point upstairs at the Hare & Hounds after UB40’s secret 40th anniversary gig there on October 7, 2018 (Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
“I know, as he would for all people, wish the band every success in the future, that’s Duncan.
“I’m sure he will and I would love it a great deal that he may make a ‘guest’ appearance for a show in the future, imagine the cheers’.
“He has been such a star and talent for all these years, easy to talk to, so approachable and accessible, always giving time for a friend or fellow man.
“Always does what is right too.
“A brilliant, brilliant man and friend, never dragged once Into external storms, just rise above it.
“Always wants what’s best for everyone. I look forward to seeing him soon, wish Duncan all the best for his recovery, it’s been such a privilege for me. It really has.
“Thank you Duncan. See you in the dressing room soon too. Thank you to all You! the fans, friends and supporters also who, from the start offered Duncan so much support and open arms of warmth wrapped fully around him and us and continue to do so. Thank you. Love always. Martín.”
Another member of the close-knit UB40 ‘family’ told BirminghamLive: “Some people seemed to think of Duncan as our ‘new’ singer but his 13 years is a much longer period of time than what most bands last.”
Fans react
In another post on Facebook, fan Paul Oakes said in a comment about Martin’s post: “Lovely words mate, brought a tear to my eye.”
Poesie Mau said: “Wonderful, heartfelt words Martin,” while Bruno Billanted added: “What truly beautiful words, Martin. Forever in our hearts and what a lovely idea for him to be a guest in future gig.”
Offering another insight into just how far and wide UB40’s music has travelled in 42 years, Jmc Joe posted this message to Duncan saying “Take care and (get) well soon, with love from Zambia.”
UB40 frontman Duncan Campbell with sax players Martin Meredith (left) and Brian Travers (right) at their gig in aid of Help Harry Help Others at the inaugural Solihull Summer Festival in Tudor Grange Park on August 27, 2016 (Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Duncan became his own man in UB40
Ian Campbell was a Communist and pioneering singer who launched the Jug O’Punch nights at Digbeth Civic Hall and recorded the first live folk EP – at The Crown on Station Street – in the early 1960s.
Two of his sons, guitarist Robin Campbell and singer Ali Campbell, would be among the original UB40 members who played their first gig at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath on February 9, 1979.
Their older brother, David, managed the band for three years from 1981 after first manager Simon Woods left.
After Ali left in 2008, Duncan – by now turning 50 when most pop stars have already faded away – bravely then became the new frontman for the original line-up.
Although Ali set out to launch a solo career, the gulf with guitarist brother Robin widened once Ali began to use the UB40 name as part of his own line-up which included Astro and keyboard player Mickey Virtue (who left the spin-off in December, 2018).
Duncan Campbell, with guest singer Pablo Rider (right) and brother Robin Campbell during I’m Alright Jack at UB40’s secret 40th anniversary gig at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath on October 7, 2018 (Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
In 2016, Robin and Duncan accused their younger brother Ali of “stealing” the UB40 name and causing confusion among fans about which band was playing where and when.
Robin said in 2016: “There was no battle when Ali left. He spent five years performing under his own name. It’s only in the last couple of years that he’s trying to steal our name, basically.
“Ali resigned from the band. He never owned the name. He didn’t start the band. He wasn’t the founder. We all started the band together.
“He wasn’t the leader. We were a democratic band that he chose to leave.
Happy days: UB40 on January 5, 1985 with (l-r behind mixing desk), Astro, Norman Hassan, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer, Ali Campbell, and left to right (front) Mickey Virtue, Robin Campbell and Brian Travers wearing white – Duncan Campbell would not join until after Ali left in 2008
“Thereby, leaving the remaining members to carry on as UB40 and that is what we did.”
Duncan who has now recorded five studio albums with the band, said at the time: “They came to me because they had fallen out horribly between themselves. That’s got nothing to do with me, that’s between them.
“Ali’s reaction was that whoever took his place wouldn’t make any difference, without him nobody would want to listen to UB40 again.
“I thought that might be the case (he would say that). I was sort of taking on a job I could only fail at.
“I think Ali has fallen out with me because we’ve done rather well out of it, but I don’t see how that makes me guilty of anything. It’s bloody awful for mum and it is sad, actually.
“He didn’t go to his dad’s funeral and doesn’t speak to his brothers.”
Today, Ali’s website says: “We are UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro, both founding members of the original UB40. Ali left the original band in 2008 siting business management issues and was vindicated when said managers were struck off. Ali was then reunited with Astro when he left in 2013.”
When Mickey Virtue left Ali’s band in December, 2018 Robin said he’d previously told him to only leave the original UB40 if he knew the door would never be open to a return.
Robin said he’d told Mickey: “‘If you’re leaving, you’re leaving. The door is not going to remain open’.
“Six months later we were on tour in the US and Mickey phoned me and the management to ask if he could come back.
“But I said: ‘We told you that if you left you would not be welcome back’.
“At least he told us that he was leaving, which is more than Astro did.”
In May 2016, Ali told BirminghamLive: “We were the hardest-working band, playing more live shows than any other band.
“After I left, the end for UB40 came when they did their country album – Astro didn’t want to be standing on the stage with a stetson on.”