UB40

UB40 is a popular dub reggae / reggae pop music band formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band may be the world's most culturally diverse dub reggae band with English, Turkish, Welsh, African and Jamaican parentage musicians. 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", "Ivory Madonna", "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 Reggae producer techniques which were later perfected by the late Pablo Falconer.

Other artists that UB40 have collaborated with include: Pato Banton, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde and Afrika Bambaataa.

Its members include:


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.

Contents
1 Discography

1.1 Albums
1.2 Singles

2 See also
3 External link

Discography

Albums

Singles

See also

External link

See also: UB40, (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986