Ali Campbell, for years the voice of the British UB40, returns to the stage presenting his second solo album and performing the reggae band's greatest hits. He will perform Monday 6 July as part of the Rototom Sunsplash FestivalEurope's largest and longest-running reggae gathering.
UB40 performed for the first time in 1979 in Campbell's hometown of Birningham and were noticed shortly afterwards by Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, who arranged for them to play as supporters at one of their concerts. From there, success was not long in coming, first in the UK with the first album 'Signing Off' (1980) and then in the US with the cover album 'Labour Of Love' (1983), from which Neil Diamond's song 'Red Red Wine' was extracted.
However, they achieved worldwide fame in 1993 with their cover of Elvis Presley's '(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You', which was included on the soundtrack of the film 'Sliver' starring Sharon Stone. Two years later, Ali Cambpell attempted a solo career while continuing his association with UB40 and released 'Big Love'. In 2007, he tried again with 'Running Free', an album on which many artists collaborated including Smokey Robinson, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, Katie Melua and Beverly Knight. However, it was only a year ago that it was announced that Campbell left UB40 due to problems with some members and management. He was followed by keyboardist Mickey Virtue, who continues to play with the band accompanying Ali around the world. One of these concerts took place in April 2008 in London, in an unforgettable evening at the Royal Albert Hall.
Despite his departure from the group, Campbell continues to play the hits that have allowed UB40 to become one of the most important in the history of reggae music, with more than twenty albums released and over 60 million copies sold. The concert at Rototom Susplash promises to be an unmissable event, which will drag the audience into the most authentic and unbridled reggae rhythm, accompanied by Cambpell's unmistakable voice.
Monday 6 July 2009- Osoppo (UD) - Rivellino Park - Rototom Sunsplash Festival
Ticket info: www.rototomsunsplash.com
