Big Concerts has confirmed that UB40’s three founding members will be making a triumphant return to South Africa in November 2016 having wowed audiences across the world proving they are still a worldwide tour de force.
UB40 are a British reggae and pop band formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. They have been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times, and in 1984 were nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records. The ethnic make-up of the band's original line-up was diverse, with musicians of English, Irish, Jamaican, Scottish and Yemeni parentage.
Their hit singles include their debut "Food for Thought" and two Billboard Hot 100 number ones with "Red Red Wine" and "Can't Help Falling in Love". Both of these also topped the UK Singles Chart, as did the band's version of "I Got You Babe".The band's line-up was stable for nearly 29 years, from March 1979 until January 2008, when frontman Ali Campbell left the band; followed shortly thereafter by keyboardist Mickey Virtue. Another member, Astro, remained with the band until November 2013; when he departed the original band to team up with Campbell and Virtue in a new version of UB40.
In 2014, legal advice was sought by the original band (now consisting of remaining co-founding members drummer Jimmy Brown, guitarist Robin Campbell, bassist Earl Falconer, percussionist Norman Hassan, and saxophonist Brian Travers, along with new vocalist Duncan Campbell) against the group containing Campbell, Virtue, and Astro over usage of the band name, due to it being used by both parties.
Ali Campbell was highly critical of his replacement in UB40, stating "I sat back for five years and watched my brother Duncan murdering my songs."[30] Ali Campbell toured as UB40 with Astro and Virtue over the summer, including an appearance at the Brentwood Festival.[31] The new album Silhouette, featuring the trio is now set for release on 6 October 2014.[32]
In December 2014 Ali Campbell claimed that he would be prepared to go to the High Court over the matter rather than settle out of court ( Wikipedia )
CAPE TOWN
Saturday 5th November
Sunday 6th November
Grand Arena, GrandWest
DURBAN
Thursday 10th November
Durban Botanic Garden
Tickets go on sale Tuesday 31st May from www.bigconcerts.co.za
JOHANNESBURG
Saturday 12th November
Ticketpro Dome
Tickets go on sale Tuesday 31st May from www.bigconcerts.co.za
