Latest Release
- 19 APR 2024
- 17 Songs
- Labour of Love Parts I+II · 1989
- New Wave Hits of the 80s · 1983
- Promises and Lies · 1993
- Rat In the Kitchen · 1986
- The Very Best Of · 1995
- Baggariddim · 1985
- Labour of Love · 1983
- Signing Off · 1980
- Labour of Love Parts I+II · 1989
- Getting Over the Storm · 2013
Essential Albums
- 2019
Artist Playlists
- A reggae outfit with a knack for making songs lilting and sweet.
- Their emotive reggae has soundtracked many a romantic moment.
- This reggae band display pop mastery with a political edge.
- The Jamaican and R&B vibes that inspired the UK reggae-pop band.
Compilations
- 2009
Appears On
About UB40
Though Birmingham, England has become synonymous with legendary heavy-metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, the city is gravely under-credited for birthing influential reggae groups such as Musical Youth, Steel Pulse and UB40. The latter was formed during the economic crisis of the late ‘70s, leading brothers Ali and Robin Campbell and a rapidly growing roster of musicians to adopt the cheeky acronym standing for Unemployment Benefit, Form 40. These work troubles were resolved after American singer Chrissie Hynde enlisted the reggae ensemble to support her band, Pretenders, on the road. UB40 eventually found its stride with cheerful, breezy covers of pop standards, including enormously successful re-imaginings of Neil Diamond's “Red Red Wine” and Elvis Presley's “Can't Help Falling In Love”. The band's popularity continued to soar over the following decades with multiple appearances on film and a historic performance at Live Earth in 2007. And while Ali Campbell left the band the following year, UB40 has remained a beacon of Birmingham's cultural melting pot, boasting Welsh, Jamaican, Scottish and Yemeni members.
- ORIGIN
- Birmingham, England
- FORMED
- 1978
- GENRE
- Reggae