Former UB40 singer Ali Campbell has just announced the formation of a new version of UB40. According to a statement issued on his Facebook page, Campbell, Astro (who recently quit UB40) and keyboardist Mickey Virtue (who left with Campbell in 2008 to play in his band) have joined forces under the UB40 banner and are in the studio recording a new album. Here is the statement that was posted on a new UB40 website:
--- OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ---
THE THREE FOUNDING MEMBERS HAVE REFORMED AND REUNITED TO BRING YOU THE TRUE SOUND OF UB40. ALI, ASTRO AND MICKEY ARE CURRENTLY IN THE STUDIO WORKING ON A NEW ALBUM.... MORE INFO COMING SOON
Here is footage of Campbell, Virtue and Astro from their gig together this past December:
While the news is not surprising, given that Astro joined Campbell's band for a show last year following an announcement that he had quit the band, what is surprising is that the three former members are planning to call themselves UB40. Clearly, the band featuring Campbell's brother Robin, drummer Jim Brown, saxophonist Brian Travers, bassist Earl Falconer and percussionist Norman Hassan retain the rights to the name. UB40 have not issued a statement yet, but fans from both sides of the UB40 divide have weighed in with their thoughts about the move on each band's social media outlets. The bottom line is that a once proud band with a great back catalog of music has been reduced and diminished by never ending drama. UB40 is dead. Long live UB40!
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