UB40 sets name record straight
JOBURG - Ali Campbell, frontman of British reggae band UB40, spoke out against a "campaign to discredit the legitimacy" of the band's upcoming South African tour.
At the heart of the “campaign” is a name dispute, which arose after former band members “reformed” the band under the original name.
Campbell said that he and Astro Wilson were the two longtime vocalists who sang on “all the previous UB40 albums and hits, prior to the country and western album the remaining members saw fit to record a matter of months ago”.
“Anyone going to a concert by the remaining five will be treated to merely a karaoke version of how the band [sounded], with a replacement singer who has never recorded a previous UB40 album and is no part of the UB40 history,” said Campbell.
“There is only one vocal sound for UB40 and only two genuine vocalists – and [they] are us.”
He said the “reformed” band had a legal right to use the name, and that they intended to do so.
“The only deception being committed here is by them, purporting to be a band that recorded the albums and songs that our loyal fans have bought over many years,” he said.
“We sing reggae, songs we recorded as UB40, plus new material. UB40 is who we are, and the fans can judge for themselves.”
Local promoters Seed Experiences will bring the band to South Africa for two concerts in April, one to take place in Paarl, the other to take place on 5 April at Emmarentia Dam.
Speaking on behalf of Seed Experiences, Mike Pocock said, “The name dispute will be left to the artists to settle directly, and [will] not affect the South African tour going ahead as planned. Fans can expect to hear the old classics like Red Red Wine, Kingston Town and Rat in Mi Kitchen.”
Details: www.webtickets.co.za
