UB40 are an English reggae and pop band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England.
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28 Facts About UB40
2.
The name "UB40" was selected in reference to an attendance card issued to people claiming unemployment benefits from the UK government Department of Employment.
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3.
Origins of what would become UB40 began when in mid-1978 guitarist Ali Campbell, together with the rhythm section of drummer Jimmy Brown and bassist Earl Falconer, began rehearsing charting reggae songs in addition to some of their own original compositions.
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4.
Once Robin had joined the others in their jamming sessions, the eight musicians formed a band, deciding on the name 'UB40' after a friend suggested it was an appropriate name given the unemployed status of all of the band members.
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5.
UB40 caught their first break when Chrissie Hynde saw them at a pub and gave them an opportunity as a support act to her band, The Pretenders.
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6.
Three years later UB40 performed at the Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert 1986.
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7.
On 11 June 1988, UB40 performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert that took place at Wembley Stadium in London and involved Dire Straits, George Michael, Whitney Houston, the Bee Gees and other artists.
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8.
UB40 toured South Africa in July 2007 and headlined the Live Earth concert at the Cradle of Humankind, near Johannesburg.
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9.
In November 2013, UB40 revealed dates in anticipation of their UK Tour in early 2014.
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10.
UB40 were influenced by the many blues parties they attended as teenagers in the multicultural Balsall Heath area of Birmingham.
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11.
UB40 are one of the most commercially successful reggae acts of all time in terms of record sales, chart positions and touring schedule.
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12.
In October 2011, UB40 were commemorated with a Heritage Award, a ceremonial plaque from the UK's PRS for Music.
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13.
UB40 collaborators include: Pato Banton, Madness, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde, Maxi Priest, Robert Palmer, Hunterz, Japanese artist Mikidozan, French artist Nuttea, Lady Saw, Afrika Bambaataa, 808 State.
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14.
UB40's nickname comes from his childhood as he wore a pair of Dr Martens boots with the model name "Astronaut".
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15.
UB40 went to school with the future keyboard player of UB40, Virtue.
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16.
UB40 believed that reggae music was for everyone, and shouldn't just be for Jamaican Rastafarians.
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17.
UB40 encountered racism himself when he was refused admittance to nightclubs on account of his dreadlocks, when white members of the band were welcomed.
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18.
UB40 eventually quit the band in 2013 after they decided to record a set of country songs.
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20.
UB40 joined the band in 2008 after the departure of his brother Ali Campbell, the former UB40 lead singer.
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21.
UB40 recorded a reggae album in Jamaica for his brother Ali's record label, but it was never released.
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23.
UB40 was an unemployed plasterer at the time of UB40's formation.
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24.
UB40 worked as a carpet fitter before joining the band UB40 in 1978.
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26.
UB40 has wide-ranging musical tastes, from reggae to soul to opera.
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27.
UB40 played the saxophone and was an arranger and lyricist.
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28.
UB40 had suffered from cancer since 2019 and he died in August 2021.
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