UB40 featuring Ali Campbell

Past Show

About UB40 featuring Ali Campbell

Ali Campbell rocketed to fame as co-founder and lead vocalist of the original British pop-reggae band UB40. After nearly 30 years, the singer left the group following a dispute with management, alongside Mickey Virtue, to release solo albums ‘Big Love’, ‘Running Free’, and ‘Flying High’. In 2014, Ali’s former bandmate Astro reunited with the duo, marking the official debut of the pop-reggae group UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey.

The trio released their first album ‘Silhouette’ in 2014, followed by ‘The Hits of UB40 Live’ in 2015 and ‘Unplugged’ in 2016. ‘A Real Labour of Love’ (featuring tracks ‘A Place In The Sun’ and ‘Ebony Eye’) debuted in March 2018, reaching No.2 on the UK Albums Chart and No.1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums. Virtue left the band to pursue other creative projects later that year, remaining good friends with the pair.

Touring their material under the name UB40 featuring Ali & Astro, the duo also delved into a series of creative projects, including the launch of their own Bordeaux Red Red Wine. Sadly, tragedy struck when Astro passed away in 2021, leaving behind a 30-year legacy of number-one albums, multiple top ten gold and platinum-selling albums and Grammy nominations, plus a total of seventy million plus sales.

In 2022, Campbell released the final album the duo recorded ‘Unprecedented’ fuelled by the roots rocking spirit that powered UB40’s original creation, including the title track ‘Sufferer’. The singer renamed the band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and continues to fulfil his UB40 tour dates across the UK, Europe, and America, with the tour billed as ‘in memory of Astro’.

Ali Campbell holding an On Air neon sign

Why did Ali Campbell leave the original UB40?

Campbell left UB40 after almost 30 years, performing their last shows across Australia, New Zealand and Uganda in February 2008. Campbell then issued a statement on his website and through his solicitors stating that he’d been unhappy with the business practices and business managers of UB40, later launching an investigation into the financial handling of the business.

Does Ali Campbell perform original UB40 songs?

Yes! The group have performed long-running hits from UB40’s album ‘Labour of Love’ such as ‘Cherry Oh Baby’, ‘Many Rivers to Cross’, ‘Please Don’t Make Me Cry’, and ‘Red Red Wine’ which topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Other singles include ‘Kingston Town’, ‘I Got You Babe’ and ‘(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You.’

What inspired Ali Campbell and Astro’s ‘Unprecedented’?

‘Unprecedented’ is the follow-up to 2018's ‘A Real Labour of Love’. Recorded in studios in London and Jamaica between lockdowns, the album features a collection of cover songs from artists including Stevie Wonder and Kris Kristofferson, alongside self-penned tracks inspired by the pandemic and UK culture.

How many countries has Ali Campbell toured in since 2018?

UB40 feat Ali Campbell has toured over 70 countries in arenas and stadiums worldwide.