Tribute bands

UB40 Tribute Band:

UB40 is a popular dub / reggae pop music band formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band may be the world's most culturally diverse dub reggae band with musicians of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage. The band is named from the paper form issued by the U.K. for claiming unemployment benefits (UB40 = Unemployment Benefits, Form 40); during the Thatcher years, British slang referred to unemployed people as UB40s.

UB40 were influenced by the many Blues Parties they attended as teenagers in multiracial Birmingham, their love of ska and reggae inspired such original tracks as "King", "Madam Medusa", "Food for thought", "Signing Off" and "One in Ten", later covered by 808 State.

Their early music style was unique, with a heavy influence of analogue synthesizers, psychedelic rock guitar, saxophone and dub producer techniques which were later perfected by the late Pablo Falconer.

Other artists that UB40 have collaborated with include: Pato Banton, Madness, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde, Robert Palmer, Japanese artist Mikidozan, french artist Nuttea, Lady Saw and Afrika Bambaataa.

Its members include:

* James (Jimmy) Brown (drums)
* Ali Campbell (guitar, lead vocals)
* Robin Campbell (lead guitar, vocals)
* Earl Falconer (bass guitar, vocals)
* Norman Lamont Hassan (percussion, trombone, vocals)
* Brian Travers (saxophone)
* Mickey Virtue (keyboards)
* Astro (Terence Wilson) (toasting vocals, percussion, trumpet)

And guest members include(d):

* Patrick Tenyue (trumpet) (1983-1994)
* Henry Tenyue (trombone) (1983-1994)
* Martin Meredith (saxophone) (1997 onwards)
* Laurence Parry (trumpet, flugal, trombone) (1995 onwards)

The band purchased its first instruments with compensation money Ali Campbell received after a bar fight. They have had a number of hits, most commercially and to amusement of the band, "Red Red Wine", a cover version of a Neil Diamond song (in an arrangement similar to that of Tony Tribe's version).

Many of UB40's later recordings were inspired by 1960's ska and early lovers rock songs that would have otherwise been forgotten in the public eye. Their new injection of life into so many old Jamaican hits has resulted in many musicians and producers renewed popularity and income.

UB40's music has often tackled social issues such as racism and unemployment.

Discography

Albums

* Signing Off (1980), UK #2
* Present Arms (1981), UK #2
* Present Arms in Dub (1981), UK #38
* UB 44 (1982), UK #4
* The Singles Album (1982)
* UB40 Live (1983), UK #44
* Labour of Love (1983), UK #1
* Geffery Morgan (1984), UK #3
* Baggariddim (1985), UK #14
* Little Baggariddim (1985)
* The UB40 File (1985)
* Rat in the Kitchen (1986), UK #8
* UB40 CCCP: Live in Moscow (1987); Live in Moscow, Russia 1986
* The Best of UB40 - Volume One (1987), UK #3
* UB40 (1988); Dance With The Devil, UK #12
* Labour of Love II (1989), UK #3
* Promises and Lies (1993), UK #1
* The Best of UB40 - Volume Two (1995), UK #12
* Guns in the Ghetto (1997), UK #7
* UB40 Present the Dancehall Album (1998)
* Labour of Love III (1998), UK #8
* The Very Best of UB40 (2000), UK #7
* Cover Up (2001), UK #29
* UB40 Present The Fathers Of Reggae (2002)
* Homegrown (2003), UK #49
* Who You Fighting For? (2005) UK #20

Singles

* "King"/"Food For Thought" (1980), UK #4
* "My Way Of Thinking"/"I Think It's Going To Rain" (1980), UK #6
* "The Earth Dies Screaming"/"Dream A Lie" (1980), UK #10
* "Don't Let It Pass You By"/"Don't Slow Down" (1981), UK #16
* "One In Ten" (1981), UK #7
* "I Won't Close My Eyes" (1982), UK #32
* "Love Is All Is All Right" (1982), UK #29
* "So Here I Am" (1982), UK #25
* "I've Got Mine" (1983), UK #45
* "Red Red Wine" (1983), UK #1
* "Please Don't Make Me Cry" (1983), UK #10
* "Many Rivers To Cross" (1983), UK #16
* "Cherry Oh Baby" (1984), UK #12
* "If It Happens Again" (1984), UK #9
* "Riddle Me" (1984), UK #59
* "I'm Not Fooled"/"The Pillow" (1985), UK #79
* "I Got You Babe" (1985), UK #1 (with Chrissie Hynde)
* "Don't Break My Heart" (1985), UK #3
* "Sing Our Own Song" (1986), UK #5
* "All I Want To Do" (1986), UK #41
* "Rat In Mi Kitchen" (1987), UK #12
* "Watchdogs" (1987), UK #39
* "Maybe Tomorrow" (1987), UK #14
* "Reckless" (1988), UK #17 (with Afrika Bambaataa)
* "Where Did I Go Wrong" (1988), UK #26
* "Breakfast In Bed" (1988), UK #6 (with Chrissie Hynde)
* "Come Out To Play" (1988), UK #77
* "I Would Do For You" (1989), UK #45
* "Homely Girl" (1989), UK #6
* "Kingston Town" (1990), UK #4
* "Wear You To The Ball" (1990), UK #35
* "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" (1990), UK #6 (with Robert Palmer)
* "Impossible Love" (1990), UK #47
* "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (1991), UK #49
* "One In Ten" (1992), UK #17 (by 808 State)
* "(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You" (1993), UK #1
* "Higher Ground" (1993), UK #8
* "Bring Me Your Cup" (1993), UK #24
* "C'est La Vie" (1994), UK #37
* "Reggae Music" (1994), UK #28
* "Until My Dying Day" (1995), UK #15
* "Tell Me Is It True" (1997), UK #14
* "Always There" (1997), UK #53
* "Come Back Darling" (1998), UK #10
* "Holly Holy" (1998), UK #31
* "The Train Is Coming" (1999), UK #30
* "Light My Fire" (2000), UK #63
* "Since I Met You Lady" (with Lady Saw) / "Sparkle Of My Eyes" (2001), UK #40
* "Cover Up" (2002), UK #54
* "Swing Low" (2003), UK #15
* "Kiss And Say Goodbye" (2005), UK #19
* "Reasons" (2005), UK #75