10 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About UB40
They've had more than 50 singles in the UK charts and sold over 70 million records worldwide. Here's what you don't know about UB40...
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1. Fact 1
The name UB40 refers to a document that was used for signing on to unemployment benefit known as Unemployment Benefit Form 40.
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2. Fact 2
It took 5 years for the band's version of 'Red Red Wine' to get to no.1 in the States after being a no.1 hit in the UK in 1983.
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3. Fact 3
UB40 got their big break when Chrissie Hynde spotted them performing and asked them to join The Pretenders on an upcoming tour. Picture: Getty
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4. Fact 4
In 1986, the band brought their reggae vibes to Russia and became the first Western group to tour in the Soviet Union. Picture: Getty
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5. Fact 5
According to 'Blood & Fire', the autobiography of Ali and Robin Campbell, UB40 didn't actually make any money from their album 'Labour Of Love' which sold 10 million copies worldwide and had 4 UK top 40 singles. Picture: Getty
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6. Fact 6
In the video for Red Red Wine, Ali Campbell doesn't touch the stuff and is actually drinking beer! Picture: Vevo
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7. Fact 7
In 1987 UB40's producer Ray Falconer died in a car crash. His brother and the band's bassist, Earl was driving at the time with nearly twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood. Earl was sentenced to six months' imprisonment in June 1988 and banned from driving for three years. Picture: Getty
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8. Fact 8
In April 2015, Ali Cambell and Astro visited Compton Hospice to make a fan's dreams come true! Nicola Moore who has terminal cancer put the request out on social media and word got out to the band. Picture: Facebook
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9. Fact 9
Today, there are two different formations of UB40 touring under the same name. After Ali Cambell left the group in 2008, the group continued, drafting in Ali's brother Duncan on vocals... here they are pictured.
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10. Fact 10
Ali Cambell is currently touring with fellow frontman Astro and keyboard-player Virtue also under the name UB40. There remains an unresolved dispute between the two groups over the name usage.
