UB40 Legends Ali, Astro, & Mickey

UB40 Legends Ali, Astro, & Mickey

As original members of UB40, Ali Campbell, Astro, and Mickey Virtue helped to define reggae music for a generation. The multi-racial band, formed in 1979 in the Birmingham suburb of Moseley, pooled a diverse set of influences to put a fresh, indigenous slant on Jamaican reggae. After encouragement from Chrissie Hynde, who offered them support slots with her chart-topping band The Pretenders, they recorded their independently released debut album, Signing Off, on an eight-track tape machine in the home of producer Bob Lamb. An unexpected number two album, it gave them the conviction to chart their own course.

UB40 went on to dominate charts around the world, not least with the hugely successful Labour Of Love series. The first Labour Of Love album, in 1983, yielded a cover of Neil Diamond’s Red Red Wine that topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. The band secured two further chart-topping singles at home in (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You (also another US number one) and I Got You Babe, a duet between Ali and the band’s old friend Chrissie Hynde, and Ali and Robin Campbell also scored a No.1 with Baby Come Back.

The original line-up of UB40 with Ali, Astro and Mickey enjoyed huge success over a period of 30 years; including #1 albums and multiple top 10 gold and platinum selling albums and Grammy nominations, 4 number ones worldwide. Total of 70 million plus sales.

When Ali Campbell departed in 2008 after 29 years and a dozen major world tours with the band, he was followed out of UB40 by Mickey Virtue. Campbell, with Mickey lending a helping hand, has since released two solo albums. Astro remained with the band until November 2013, when he left to team up again with Ali and Mickey. Now, following some spectacular gigs at home and abroad, the trio are facing the future with renewed confidence and vigor.

Links & Tags

Rose Music Center

UB40 Legends Ali, Astro, & Mickey is taking place at Rose Music Center, which is located at 6800 Executive Blvd. in Huber Heights. Rose Music Center - The Stuart & Mimi Rose Music Center at the Heights is a 4,200 seat fully covered outdoor amphitheatre.