| Ali Campbell | |
|---|---|
Ali Campbell |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alistair Ian Campbell |
| Born | 15 February 1959 Birmingham, Warwickshire, 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 | |
Ali Campbell, (born Alistair Ian Campbell, 15 February 1959), 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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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.
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.
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 and feels his latest solo album Flying High was one of the best he has ever produced.
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]
At the start of 2011 - Campbell headlined the BBC concert 'Reggae Britannia' at the Barbican in London - the sold out concert was a huge success and featured the crème de la crème of reggae giants such as Ken Boothe ,Big Youth etc. The concert together with a BBC documentary is due to be broadcast on BBC4 on February 11, 2011 - Campbell features in the documentary which charts the influence of reggae on British culture. Campbell also announced UK tour dates for May 2011 and the release of a new DVD - Ali Campbell and Friends Live at the Royal Albert Hall - due for release in March 2011. Campbell is currently in the studio writing new material for his next solo album due for release at the end of 2011 and will be touring internationally with his new band once again throughout 2011.
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.
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