Ali Campbell
AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists:
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Ali Campbell
- Genres: Rock
Biography
A household name in modern pop-reggae circles, Ali Campbell (born Alistair Campbell on February 15, 1959, in Birmingham, England) was known -- mostly -- as the lead vocalist and guitar player for U.K. reggae act UB40. That band, which Campbell formed with the seven other members in the late '70s, was a U.K. pop chart stalwart, eventually cracking the U.S. market with its stylistic covers of popular favorites such as "Red Red Wine" and "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You." Besides being the frontman, it was Campbell's "good fortune" of getting in a "compensatory" bar fight that would lead to UB40 finally acquiring their (much-needed) instruments. Their first gig took place in early 1979, and -- after being spotted by Chrissie Hynde -- things just began to snowball, at least in the United Kingdom. America was not broached until 1983 with the covers record Labour of Love, which includes the aforementioned hit single "Red Red Wine," and in 1993 with second covers record Labour of Love II, which contains the famous Elvis Presley ballad. Campbell, as a solo artist during his time with UB40, released two full-length offerings: 1995's Big Love and 2007's Running Free. He left the group in 2008 and released the solo album Flying High a year later. Great British Songs arrived in 2010, filled with Campbell’s cover versions of popular material from the ‘60s and ‘70s. ~ Chris True, RoviWikipedia on Answers.com:
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Ali Campbell
| Ali Campbell | |
|---|---|
 Ali Campbell |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alistair Ian Campbell |
| Born | 15 February 1959 Birmingham, West Midlands, England |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupations | Musician, Songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, Vocals |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Dep International Ltd /Virgin/Jacaranda Music Ltd |
| Associated acts | UB40 |
| Website | alicampbell.net |
| Notable instruments | |
| Guitar | |
Alistair Ian "Ali" Campbell (born 15 February 1959, Birmingham, England) is a British singer, solo artist and songwriter who was the lead singer and founding member of UB40. As part of UB40, Campbell sold over 70 million records world wide and toured the globe for 30 years. In 2008 Campbell left UB40 and embarked on a successful solo career.
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Personal life
Campbell was born in Birmingham. He is the brother of former bandmate Robin Campbell and current UB40 frontman Duncan Campbell, and is a son of Scottish folk singer, Ian Campbell. He supports Birmingham City football club.
Departure from UB40
In October 2007, Campbell released a solo album entitled Running Free. The album entered the UK charts at number 9 and went gold. This was the first top ten entry for Campbell for a new studio album since UB40's Labour of Love 3 album, which was released 10 years prior to Running Free.
On 24 January 2008, it was reported that Campbell was to quit the group after almost 30 years.[1] Campbell, who was a founding member of UB40 - songwriter and lead vocalist for the band - sang on most of the best known hits such as "Red, Red Wine", finally quit the band in 2008. The band's last gigs together were in February 2008 in Australia, New Zealand and Uganda.[1]
Campbell then issued a statement on his website and through his lawyers stating that for many years he had been unhappy with the business practices and business managers of UB40 and launched an investigation into the financial handling of the business. This was the reason for his departure.
A few months later, Michael Virtue the keyboard player also left UB40, citing the same reasons as Campbell, and joined Campbell's legal investigation. Virtue subsequently joined Campbell's new band, the Dep band.
Solo career
Having formed a new band, Campbell performed a sell out concert at London's Royal Albert Hall on 3 April 2008. For the remainder of 2008, Campbell toured internationally with the Dep Band to promote the album. Campbell released his third solo album, Flying High, in 2009 which entered the UK charts at number 13. It was another top 15 hit for Campbell which brought some of the best critical reviews of his career to date.
He and his band continued to tour in countries from Russia to Africa, with tours of Australia and New Zealand and the UK in 2009.
In 2010, Campbell continued to tour the world with his new band. He performed in Hawaii, Florida, Mauritius, South America and the Caribbean. He also performed at several festivals across Europe, such as Afro Latino in Belgium, Kieler Woche in Germany and Guilfest in the UK and also at Reeds Festival in Switzerland. Campbell stated in 2010 that he was happier than at any time in his career[citation needed] and feels his latest solo album Flying High was one of the best he has ever produced[citation needed].
On October 18, 2010 Ali released his fourth solo album 'Great British Songs' - a collection of iconic British pop and rock hits from the Sixties and Seventies newly reinterpreted in Campbell's inimitable reggae style. Once again the album entered the UK charts at number 15 and gave Campbell his third top 15 charting album in as many years - a remarkable achievement. In addition Campbell's label Jacaranda Music was number 1 on the UK independent label charts in October 2010 and 'Great British Songs' also entered the iTunes reggae album chart at number 1. .......[2]
Chart success
Campbell as part of UB40 has sold over 70 million records, notched up four number No. 1 singles around the world and over 40 Top 40 UK singles. See UB40 Discography.
His solo albums Big Love and Running Free were both top ten in the UK charts and Flying High and "Great British Songs" reached the top fifteen in the UK charts.
Accolades
Whilst with UB40 Campbell received an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement. At the 2007 Grammy Awards, UB40 were nominated for best reggae album of 2006. Mauritius Government award to Ali Campbell for his services to Music and Charity - December 2010
Discography
Solo albums
- Big Love (1995) UK #6
- Running Free (2007) UK #9
- Flying High (2009) UK #13
- Great British Songs (2010) UK #15
Solo Singles
- "That Look in Your Eyes" (1995) (with Pamela Starks) UK #5
- "You Can Cry On My Shoulder" (1995) (Japan only release)
- "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" (1995) UK #25
- "Somethin' Stupid" (1995) (with Kibibi Campbell) UK #30
- "Hold Me Tight" (2007)
- "Would I Lie To You" (2007) (with Bitty McLean)
- "Running Free" (2008) (with Beverley Knight)
- "Out From Under" (2009)
- "Carrie Anne" (2010)
References
- ^ a b "UB40 singer Campbell quits group". BBC News. 24 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7208122.stm. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ Ali Campbell interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' October 2010
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 90. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
Further reading
External links
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Mentioned in
UB40: Live
(Music Film)
Present Arms
(1981 Album by UB40)
Ali Campbell
(Rock Artist, '90s)
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah: Anthology
(2002 Album by Pioneers)
Homegrown
(2003 Album by UB40)
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