BREAKING NEWS: ALI CAMPBELL LEAVES UB40

Popular Brum beat-combo UB40 have been hit this morning by the departure of lead singer Ali Campbell.

Campbell, whose brother Robin will remain in the group, has left the reggae outfit after nearly 30 years as a member.

A statement released by the band has confirmed that they will continue as a septet while the departed founder will move on to solo ventures. A recently recorded album which features Ali Campbell, entitled 24/7, will still be released as planned in March.

“UB40 has never been about any one individual,” read the statement, “but more a collective of band members, who have all contributed to create the unique sound that UB40 have become renowned for over the last three decades."

Those last three decades have seen the band sell more than 70 million records, chalk up three number one singles and two number one albums.

The octet’s last shows together will take place next month, though not in the UK; British fans wishing to bid farewell to brother Ali will have to make the trek to Australia, New Zealand or Uganda.

bit like my old friend mick hucknall leaving simply red, this.

pour one out.

lol, just yesterday, Pinkpop Classic (dutch festival in April or May) announced UB40 will be their headliner

70 million records sold! F*ck my hat!

I'd better tell my dad, he's a big fan, still goes to see them live! He'll be gutted I'm sure.

British fans wishing to bid farewell to brother Ali will have to make the trek to Australia, New Zealand or Uganda.

And preferably stay there (not Australia obv)

BREAKING NEWS! UB40 STILL EXISTS!!

pour one out.

Dunno if Ali would approve of that

the unique sound that UB40 have become renowned for over the last three decades

or to put it more accurately, the unique sound of the first two albums in 1980 and 81. (I used to love UB40)

Does this mean Ali Campbell is now the one in eight, a number on a list?

x-post

Maybe now they'll finally go back to being good again? (I used to love 'em too, a long long time ago)

Good luck to UB40 with their new lead singer Tony di Bart.

A statement released by the band has confirmed that they will continue as a septet

absurd. only 7 members? I don't even know how that could work, at least in a live setting.

Madness manage

LEAVE ALI ALONE (he's a human) ;_;

http://www.ub40.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=85746

kids, chill the fuck out, it's gonna be okay. his brother Robin will remain in the group.

"the vocals will change" said somebody on that message board.

Fraid I haven't paid attention: how many UB40 tracks feature someone other than Ali on lead vox?

It matters little to me: the last UB40 song I remember liking was "Watchdogs". Back in 1987.

Barry Normal is gonna be gutted.

BREAKING NEWS! UB40 STILL EXISTS!!
Yeah, exactly. I loved UB40, um, in the 80s.

I remember seeing them live in Massachusetts in the late 80s, and about a dozen late-arriving girls asking me, "Have they played 'Red, Red Wine' yet?'"

http://www.heathernova-info.com/big/mishka-album-cover.jpg

FINALLY HE HITS PAYDAY!

Cheers for reminding me about that particular Creation-related disaster, Matt...

AFAIK "Rat In The Kitchen" was the only UB40 hit which didn't have Ali on lead vox.

which is one of their best songs!

we can't really blame UB40 for wanting to coin it by recording versions of old reggae standards or reggaefied non-reggae standards can we? I wouldn't mind betting there will still be a band touring and recording calling itself UB40 in 30 years time, perhaps with the children of the current members of it, and releasing albums with titles like "Labour of Love 14".

I would've thought ILM would be more gutted about this after Labour Of Love won that Best 'New Pop' Album poll

UB40 lead singer Ali Campbell has said he is leaving after almost 30 years because management difficulties had become "intolerable".
Campbell, who sang on hits such as Rat In My Kitchen, and Red, Red Wine, said the decision was not due to him wanting to pursue a solo career.

Dingbod vs BBC fite!

i don't think he sang on their #28 smash 'Reggae Music' either but not sure.

Dingbod vs 19 19-year-old BBC interns who think research is what you do in Top Shop when you can't find the Kate Moss line morelike

Heaven needed a covers singer etc.

http://ub40.popbang.co.uk/photos/bandprmo.jpg

I met Astro's daughter once, she's as fit as fuck.

http://www.blinne.org/photos/uncategorized/siren.gifDOM PASSANTINO ACHIEVES MILD LOLS WITHOUT THE HELP OF LOUIS JAGGER. THREAD GAINS MOMENTUM AS OTHERS RECALL UB40http://www.blinne.org/photos/uncategorized/siren.gif

i lol'd, dom.

as did i,jlogsk bruyv

Srsly tho I like UB40. Not that this'll make any difference, like.

"Rat In Mi Kitchen" is the only UB40 hit not sung by Ali Campbell, no?

Geir brings fresh perspective to thread

He's going down to Liverpool
To do nothing
Going down to Liverpool
To do nothing
All the days of his life

There's a Hongro in mi message board what am I gonna do, there's a Hongro in mi message board what am I gonna do.

Gonna fix that Hong that's what I'm gonna do.

Well, obviously the article is wrong. The main vocals on "Rat In Mi Kitchen" were not by Ali Campbell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG51Z_RLwT0