(Image: Redferns)
UB40 reggae band were formed in Birmingham back in 1978 and have had more than 50 singles in the UK charts. As they celebrate their 45th anniversary, we take a look back at iconic photos from during their celebrated career.
Frontman Ali Campbell and his brother Robin on guitar were among the most recognisable members of the group emerging out of Balsall Heath at a time of high unemployment. All friends from Birmingham schools, they teamed up and took the name UB40 from the Government’s Department of Employment card issued to people claiming benefits.
The card stood for Unemployment Benefit form 40. The name stuck and they have become legends in the city ever since.
In January 2008, singer Ali Campbell left the band for a solo career which sparked a row between him and his brother Robin and some other band mates. Keyboard player Mickey Virtue later left to join Ali.
He was followed by Astro in 2013 when they created a new UB40 version of the group that led to a legal wrangle over use of the name. Now Robin and some remaining founder members tour as UB40 while Ali tours on his own since Astro’s death as UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell.
These photos show UB40 when the band over time from during their prime before the fallout when they celebrated chart hits including Red, Red Wine and I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You to more recent days.
L-R Astro (Terence Wilson), Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Ali Campbell, Earl Falconer, Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Mickey Virtue. 1983.
UB40 filming a video film in a scrapyard. The video film features songs from their album ‘Labour of Love’. Pictured Brian Travers, saxophonist with the band and producer of the video. 21st January 1983.
Brothers Robin and Ali Campbell from UB40 meet fans and sign copies of the new book at Waterstone’s in High Street, Birmingham. October 20 2005.
Portrait of UB40, Ali Campbell, Astro (AKA Terence Wilson), Mickey Virtue, Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Ahoy Sportpaleis, Rotterdam, Holland, 13 July 1988.
days.
Ali & Robin Campbell at ‘Night Of The Proms’, Rotterdam, January 17 2006.
British reggae and pop group UB40, 1983. Left to right: keyboard player Mickey Virtue, drummer Jimmy Brown, singer Ali Campbell, bassist Earl Falconer, trombonist Norman Hassan, trumpeter Astro (Terence Wilson), guitarist Robin Campbell and saxophonist Brian Travers. 1983.
UB40, Ali Campbell, Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, Night of the Proms, Antwerpen, Belgium, 27 October 2000.
UB40 singer Ali Campbell entertains at the NEC, April 8 1999.
(Image: Redferns)
UB40 reggae band were formed in Birmingham back in 1978 and have had more than 50 singles in the UK charts. As they celebrate their 45th anniversary, we take a look back at iconic photos from during their celebrated career.
Frontman Ali Campbell and his brother Robin on guitar were among the most recognisable members of the group emerging out of Balsall Heath at a time of high unemployment. All friends from Birmingham schools, they teamed up and took the name UB40 from the Government’s Department of Employment card issued to people claiming benefits.
The card stood for Unemployment Benefit form 40. The name stuck and they have become legends in the city ever since.
In January 2008, singer Ali Campbell left the band for a solo career which sparked a row between him and his brother Robin and some other band mates. Keyboard player Mickey Virtue later left to join Ali.
He was followed by Astro in 2013 when they created a new UB40 version of the group that led to a legal wrangle over use of the name. Now Robin and some remaining founder members tour as UB40 while Ali tours on his own since Astro’s death as UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell.
These photos show UB40 when the band over time from during their prime before the fallout when they celebrated chart hits including Red, Red Wine and I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You to more recent days
UB40 outside the Carlton in September 1982.
Birmingham City’s ground St Andrews stadium plays host to UB40, in front of 24,000 fans. 11th June 1989.
Birmingham City’s ground St Andrews stadium plays host to UB40, in front of 24,000 fans. 11th June 1989.
British reggae pop band UB40. Left to right back, Astro, Norman Hassan, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer, Ali Campbell, and left to right front, Mickey Virtue, Robin Campbell and Brian Travers. 5th January 1985.
Ali Campbell of the Pop Group UB40 and Ruby Turner at Birmingham Heartbeat 1986
UB40 playing a gig at Birmingham City’s St Andrews ground in 1989.
UB40 with Ali Campbell at the NEC, December 21 1998.
Ali Campbell from UB40 at a concert in Wembley arena, November 4 1985. days.
UB40 at the NEC celebrating their 21st anniversary with special guest Robert Palmer, September 13 2001.
UB40 in concert at the NEC, December 23 2003.
Ali Campbell of UB40 performs a duet with Kim Wilde during a one off solo concert on April 3, 2008 at The Royal Albert Hall in London.
UB40 Earl Falconer, Jimmy Brown, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers and brothers Duncan and Robin Campbell pay a visit to the Eagle and Tun pub in Digbeth, Birmingham as the pub has now reopened and was made famous by the reggae band in a video and album cover. February 3 2016.
Astro and Ali Campbell of UB40 perform during the 2017 iHeart80s Party at SAP Center on January 28, 2017 in San Jose, California.
Ali Campbell OF UB40 poses next to UB40’s Music Walk of Fame plaque at the unveiling of The Music Walk Of Fame 2023 at Camden on September 04, 2023 in London.
UB40 perform during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony at Alexander Stadium on August 08, 2022.
Martin Meredith, Duncan Campbell and Brian Travers of UB40 perform on stage at the Assembly on November 26, 2014 in Leamington Spa.
