By Adam Woodward • Updated: 02 Aug 2024 • 10:49 • 1 minute read
UB40's Ali Campbell, down but not out. Credit: UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell official Facebook
The ambassadors of Reggae, UB40 have cancelled their August 9 concert at Marbella’s Starlite festival.
The UK band who became world ambassadors and promotors of Reggae in the 1980s have had to pull out of their gala show at the Cantera de Nagüeles in Marbella.
The band cancelled half of their US tour and last week announced that they would be pulling out of their gig in Vigo, Spain. It was expected that they might do the same with the Marbella Starlite Festival concert too. Lead singer Ali Campbell has been battling what has been described as a ‘mystery illness’ for some years now, and as a result of his current condition, he is unable to fly. On their Facebook page, the band assured fans in the UK that those concerts would still go ahead.
Campbell, 64, has been jinxed by a variety of illnesses that have impeded his singing over the years, and caused the band to cancel concert dates. In 2011, a bout of glandular fever followed by the news he had Epstein-Barr Virus, and again in 2023, the band had to call off scheduled dates for what was described in the press as a ‘mystery illness’.
The band, who have been celebrating the 40th anniversary of their breakthrough album ‘The Labour of Love’ and the massive 1983 hit ‘Red Red Wine’, a cover of the Neil Diamond classic, are going to have to postpone the rest of the celebrations until Ali recovers. From all at Euro Weekly News, we wish Ali Campbell a speedy recovery.
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Passionate about music, food and the arts. After being completely immersed in the Spanish way of life for 25 years, I now share my knowhow and experience with you.
Ali Campbell is not apart of ub40 he pets years and years ago. He is never ill as he says he cancels due to poor ticket sales. Ub40 are currently in USA on a world tour celebrating there latest album release that charted at no5 in uk album charts.
There’s only 1 ali campbell and 1 ub40
You are correct…and they are 2 different things! 🙄
Richtig !!!!
Yes he is very ill
Get well soon Ali you are ub40
Agree with you Ali is ub40 and without him the bands just not the same, been a fan for over 40 years, get well soon Ali xx
Ali Campbell founded UB40, the group that tour under that name have no members of the original UB40
So Robin Campel, Jimmy Brown, earl Falconer and Norman Hassan are not original members of UB40 then?
Love to listen to your music you’ll be 40
Behave , UB40 was started by Ali Campbell, he is the real UB40, and he was taken ill moments before taking the stage to a sell out crowd, stop trolling.
Ali Campbell is the realUB40 in the UK,saw him perform last night at reggae land they were amazing.
Ali Campbell is UB40 no one has a voice like his hope Ali gets well soon.
Get well soon Ali…your music is a inspiration to everyone..and I personally have followed you for years Yours Looby
UB40….or spin off UB40……both create good music support them both …..stop slagging them off….get them back together would be the best thing ….keep the story moving on….keep up the good work Ali get well soon
Ali got what he wanted a divorce from ub40 yet he still persist to remain in the matrimonial home, he had partial success making his own path yet he still chose use the ub40 brand to promote him self I feel this was very hypocritical of him. Obviously this is just my opinion but I am sure I am not the only one who thinks this way. OK let me get further to the point ali is an incredible talent as a songwriter and singer and the truth of the matter is Ali dont need ub40 its ub40 who needs him. Get well soon Ali.
Well said
Schau mal auf Eventime, da machen die anderen mit yali Werbung und dazu noch mit Astro, der leider gar nicht mehr unter uns weilt und Micky, der ausgestiegen ist wegen Krankheit. Aowas ist Geschmacklos…
Seen Ali campbell in concert he was amazing there’s no ub40 without Ali and his concert was sold out get well Ali
Genau so ist es UB40 WITHOUT Ali Campbell is not UB40
There’s only 1 ali cambell a real ambassador of reggae music and ub40 is ali cambell and there won’t be another ub40 without you ali I’ve been following you since the 80s get well soon your a genuious take and god bless geoff brady
There’s only 1 ali cambell a real ambassador of reggae music and ub40 is ali cambell and there won’t be another ub40 without you ali I’ve been following you since the 80s get well soon your a genuious take and god bless geoff brady.
No 1 Reggae Man.. see you soon Ali. Get well soon Geoff!!!!
I still like both halves of UB40 and miss how brilliant they all were together. They are both still singing and touring but neither half can reach how good they were together. Ali was always the voice but last time I saw him, had to admit his voice isn’t what it used to be. Aging comes for us all, lol. (RIP Astro and Brian T)
Get well soon The one an only Ali Campbell 🥰❤️
UB40 have not cancelled this gig or any of their upcoming shows. This story relates to cancellations made by Ali Campbell and his UB40 tribute band.
For everyone which they don’t admit : ALI CAMPBELL IS UB40 or UB40 IS ALI CAMPBELL .
Ali campbell is ub40 and believe me he does not need to cancel due to poor ticket sales , he is the voice and everywhere I’ve seen him he’s had a packed arena .
Ali your a legend get well soon mate. You are UB40
Hope you get well soon Ali, iv grow up listen to ub40 your music is so inspirational and Ali Campbell you have a voice of an angel. Get well soon 😍
And the memories of UB40 are very distressing you know. It’s good that robin reformed them but as I said, it’ll never be the same ever again and what’s worse still is Brian Travers and astro died. So sad so sad indeed with all those memories especially when watching their videos you know oh god!
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