UB40 Heads To Kenya For The First Time

The multi-platinum selling reggae group UB40 will stage its maiden Kenyan concert on November 15 in Nairobi. The show comes after the group released its 24th album, 24-7, and the departure of Robin Campbell, who steered the band to the top.

The band rose to fame with the 1983 release of the Labour of Love album, which topped charts in the UK and ruled Billboard’s top 200 in the US, with hits such as Red Red Wine making it a household name. Its debut album, Signing Off (1980), went platinum and spent 72 weeks on the international music charts.
Equally popular was their most successful worldwide single, Falling in Love with You (1993) — a cover version of Elvis Presley ballad’s, I Can’t Help. Other UB40 popular hits include Rat in My Kitchen, Kingston Town, I Think It’s Going to Rain and Tell It As It Is.

After almost a decade of silence the band, which comprises James Brown, Earl Falconer, Norman Lamont and Brian, made a comeback with the 2007 release of Reasons.

"We have everything set for Nairobi. Kenya is a great country and we would love to perform there as part of our world tour," James said at the Kampala gig in February. "We will come and thrill Nairobi when everything is alright," he had added, alluding that their planned February Nairobi tour had been halted due to the post-election violence.

Campell’s exit fanned speculation that the group was headed for a split. "Campbell was our lead and we are sad he had to leave. But a band is never about a fellow and this is not the last you are hearing of UB40," James was quoted as saying on the day the group bid farewell to their vocalist.

Even though the band said Campbell was leaving to concentrate on solo projects, the lead singer later alluded to internal disputes when he said he left due to ‘management difficulties’.

But even after the big hype and great expectations, the 17-track album has failed to go top 75 in the UK. The launch four months ago coincided with a UK tour, which climaxed in the recording of their next album Labour of Love IV.

UB40 is one of the most successful reggae bands of all times. They have sold more than 70 million albums and hosted memorable world tour concerts, spreading reggae to South America and Russia, besides bagging some of the most coveted music awards.


The Reggae News Agency

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