UB40 – What’s in a name?
JOBURG - British reggae band UB40 is involved in a name dispute.
The confusion happened after previous band members “reformed” the band under the original name.
The “reformed” UB40, fronted by vocalist Ali Campbell, will perform a concert at Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg, on 5 April.
According to promoter Mike Pocock, “Famous frontman and voice of UB40, Campbell, left the band in 2008, along with Micky Virtue. Additional band member Astro (Terence Wilson) left in 2013.”
“In January [this year], these three members from the original band announced that they had reunited to perform live and record new music under the name of UB40, and in the spirit of the original music,” he said.
“This is the tour that is coming to South Africa, and is officially billed as UB40 as per the contract with their leading and reputable UK booking agent.”
Pocock added that he was aware of “another band in the UK, made up of the other remaining members” that performs under the name of UB40.
“This band performs without the legendary voice of Campbell, Astro or Virtue,” he said.
“It has been brought to our attention that there is now a name dispute between the bands, which [we are] leaving [to] the artists to settle directly. [It] does not affect the South African tour going ahead as planned.”
