Photography by John Johnson
Reggae pop band UB40 played the Echo Arena last night with new frontman Duncan Campbell taking over from brother Ali on vocals.
Thirty years on and 54 UK hit singles later, the band is still going strong.
Formed in 1978, the Birmingham band found worldwide success with the massive number 1 hits ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ and ‘I Got You Babe.’
Not many bands can boast 70 million albums sold, from their debut ‘Signing Off” to the forthcoming album ‘Labour Of Love IV’ UB40 have brought their unique reggae sound to the masses.
Lead guitarist Robin Campbell said: “UB40 are really excited about performing in the UK where we will be playing songs from our forthcoming album ‘Labour of Love IV’.
"Last year’s shows in Europe, USA, Bermuda and Canada with the new line up proved a great success.
"One of the highlights being a sold-out show to 18,000 people at the Hollywood Bowl.
"The UK audience’s acceptance of the new line up was overwhelmingly supportive and we can’t wait to play them some of our new material.”
Fellow British artist Eddy Grant supports UB40 on all the UK arena dates.
Grant’s career spans thirty years and has enjoyed hit singles including ‘Do You Feel My Love’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’ which stayed at Number 1 in the UK charts for 3 weeks in 1982.
Best known for 'Electric Avenue’ which went on to sell over 1 million copies worldwide having been re-released in 2001 as a remix. As an artist who has always been politically astute, Grant scored another hit with "Gimme Hope Jo'anna", during the apartheid regime.
Most recently, Eddy Grant performed at Glastonbury 2008.
Eddy said: “Look out for an amazing show! The mixture of British reggae from UB40 to my hit laden spot of ringbang music will have everybody dancing in the aisles.
"This is a night when everybody will dance home and plan to book a flight to the Caribbean for some more!”
Buy: Best of UB40 CD/DVD
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