Ali Campbell
{{Short description|English singer and songwriter}}
{{about||the American indoor and field hockey player|Ali Campbell (field hockey)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ali Campbell
| image = Ali Campbell (6760152559).jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = Campbell in 2012
| birth_name = Alistair Ian Campbell
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|02|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| genre = {{hlist|Reggae|dub}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 1977–present
| label = Cooking Vinyl
| associated_acts = {{hlist|UB40|UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.alicampbell.net}}
{{URL|https://ub40.org/}}
}}
Alistair Ian Campbell (born 15 February 1959) is an English singer and songwriter who was lead singer and co-founder of the British reggae band UB40.
UB40 sold more than 70 million records worldwide and toured for 30 years with the original line-up of the band. In 2008 Campbell and keyboard-player Mickey Virtue left UB40 due to a dispute with band management and teamed up in a new band. In August 2014, Campbell announced he had reunited with former UB40 bandmate Astro, who also left due to management disputes and the musical direction of the band. Campbell then formed a new UB40 featuring the three bandmates.
Early life
Alistair Ian Campbell was born in Birmingham, England. He is the brother of former bandmate Robin Campbell and former UB40 frontman Duncan Campbell, and is a son of the late Scottish folk singer Ian Campbell.
Career
In the UK, his solo albums Big Love and Running Free both reached the UK Top 10, while Flying High and Great British Songs reached the Top 20.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Campbell scored a number 1 hit in 1994 as featured artist, along with brother Robin, on Pato Banton's cover of The Equals' "Baby Come Back".{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
In October 2007, Campbell released a solo album titled Running Free. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9 and went gold. This was the first top ten entry for Campbell for a new studio album since UB40s Labour of Love 3 album, which was released 10 years prior.
On 24 January 2008, it was reported that Campbell was to quit the group after almost 30 years.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7208122.stm | work=BBC News | title=UB40 singer Campbell quits group | date=24 January 2008 | access-date=23 April 2010}} Campbell, who was a founding member of UB40, songwriter and lead vocalist, finally quit the band in 2008. Their last gigs together were in February 2008 in Australia, New Zealand and Uganda.
Campbell then issued a statement on his website and through his solicitors 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.
On 18 October 2010 Ali released his fourth solo album Great British Songs—a collection of British pop and rock hits from the 1960s and 1970s. The album reached 15 on the UK Albums Chart where it remained for three weeks. It also gave Campbell his third top 15 charting album in as many years.{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/31551/ali-campbell/ | title=Ali Campbell | website=Officialcharts.com | access-date=9 July 2022}} Critic David Jefferies of AllMusic said of the album, "Longtime fans will appreciate that Campbell's voice is as strong as ever, but it deserves a better showcase than this mixed bag".{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/great-british-songs-mw0002040960 | title=Ali Campbell Great British songs | publisher=AllMusic | access-date=16 April 2014}} Campbell's label Jacaranda Music was number one on the UK independent chart in October 2010 and Great British Songs also entered the iTunes reggae album chart at number one.{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/599/ali_campbell_dub_been_good_to_me/|title=Ali Campbell interview by Pete Lewis, Blues & Soul October 2010|publisher=Bluesandsoul.com|access-date=22 September 2014}}
In 2012, Campbell was announced as one of the three judges on the judging panel of the TV show, New Zealand's Got Talent, along with Jason Kerrison and Rachel Hunter. In 2013, Campbell was replaced for the third series by American choreographer Cris Judd.{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/new-zealands-got-talent/zealand-s-judges-announced-4950925|title=The judging panel of New Zealand's Got Talent announced, TVNZ production|work=TVNZ Ondemand|access-date=22 September 2014}}
In August 2014, Campbell announced that he had reunited with former UB40 bandmates Astro and Mickey Virtue to record a new album, Silhouette.{{cite web |title=Ali Campbell – The Legendary Voice Of UB40 Reunited with Astro & Mickey release new album "Silhouette" ahead of Australian tour in December. |url=http://www.cookingvinylaustralia.com/ali-campbell-the-legendary-voice-of-ub40-reunited-with-astro-mickey-release-new-album-silhouette-ahead-of-australian-tour-in-december/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910113033/http://www.cookingvinylaustralia.com/ali-campbell-the-legendary-voice-of-ub40-reunited-with-astro-mickey-release-new-album-silhouette-ahead-of-australian-tour-in-december/ |archive-date=10 September 2016 |access-date=25 September 2014 |publisher=Cooking Vinyl}} He said of his brother Duncan's singing, "I sat back for five years and watched my brother Duncan murdering my songs. We're saving the legacy".{{cite news | url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/rival-band-remains-true-its-roots-reggae-1844217 | title=Rival band remains true to its roots in reggae | work=Yorkshire Post | date=7 March 2014 | access-date=9 March 2015}} They initially toured under the name 'UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey', leading to legal action brought by the other UB40.{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/ub40-ali-campbells-band-settle-11074819|title = UB40 and Ali Campbell's band will settle naming rights in court|website=Birminghammail.co.uk|date = 21 March 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/ali-campbell-sued-brothers-ub40-11042590|title = Ali Campbell sued by own brothers as UB40 legal case reaches High Court|website=Birminghammail.co.uk|date = 15 March 2016}} Their first release was The Hits of UB40 Live in 2015. In 2016, their Unplugged album reached number 17 on the UK Albums Chart."[https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/50561/ub40-ft-ali-astro-mickey/ UB40 FT ALI/ASTRO/MICKEY]", Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2018 A Real Labour of Love was released in March 2018, an album much in the vein of UB40's Labour of Love series.Campbell, Howard (2018) "[https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/ali-campbell-friends-put-twist-on-classics_123119 Ali Campbell, friends put twist on classics]", Jamaica Observer, 22 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018 It reached number two on the UK Albums Chart, and entered the Billboard Reggae Albums chart at number one.Jackson, Kevin (2018) "[https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/ub40-spin-off-tops-reggae-chart_127659 UB40 spin-off tops reggae chart]", Jamaica Observer, 13 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018 Virtue departed the band in late 2018, following which the band has operated under the name 'UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro'.{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/ub40-star-ali-campbell-opens-15553485|title = What UB40 star Ali Campbell said about Mickey Virtue leaving the band|website=Birminghammail.co.uk|date = 21 December 2018}} In July 2021, vocalist Matt Hoy quit the band,{{Cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/ub40-matt-hoy-quit-covid-vaccine-ali-campbell-astro/|title=UB40 vocalist Matt Hoy forced to quit band over Covid vaccine concerns|website=Retropopmagazine.com|date=2 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.breakitdownshow.com/episodes/matt-hoy-making-music-wub40-and-new-album-touch|title = Matt Hoy – Making Music w/UB40 and New Album Touch|website=Breakitdownshow.com}} while on 6 November 2021, the group's social media announced that Astro had died after a short illness.
{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Dulcie |title=UB40 founding member Astro dies after short illness |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59195024 |website=BBC |date=6 November 2021 |access-date=6 November 2021}} In 2022, the first single from the band's final album with Astro, "Sufferer" was released, which was joined in the countdown as shown on The Heritage Chart Show{{Cite web|url=https://www.heritagechart.co.uk/chart-archive/week-87-20-march-2022|title = Week 87 20 March 2022|website=Heritagechart.co.uk}} by Matt Hoy's solo single "We Are One", a fact which was picked up by presenter Mike Read on the programme broadcast on Talking Pictures TV on 10 April 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tptvencore.co.uk/Video/The-Heritage-Chart-Show-with-Mike-Read?id=2d1bf4d2-4f66-49e6-96aa-27b0e22aa5a9|title = Video}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-7lizoy/the-heritage-chart-show-with-mike-read/|title=The Heritage Chart Show with Mike Read (TV Series)|magazine=Radio Times|access-date=11 March 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.beat-magazine.co.uk/2022/new-heritage-chart-tv-show-airs/|title=New Heritage Chart TV show airs|website=Beat-magazine.co.uk|date=27 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/19885547.issue-day-heritage-chart-taps-nostalgia/|title = Issue of the day: The Heritage Chart taps into nostalgia|website=Heraldscotland.com| date=31 January 2022 }} On 17 June 2022, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro released the album Unprecedented via UMC, with Campbell fulfilling his UB40 tour dates in the run-up to the album's release, with the tour now billed as being 'in memory of Astro'.{{Cite web|url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/2022/02/ub40-ali-astro-sufferer/|title = UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell & Astro drop new song Sufferer|website=Classicpopmag.com|date = 18 February 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesoundcafe.com/post/ub40-featuring-ali-campbell-astro-unveil-new-track-sufferer-ahead-of-upcoming-album|title=UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell & Astro Unveil New Track 'Sufferer' Ahead of Upcoming Album|website=Thesoundcafe.com|date=22 February 2022}}
Awards and nominations
UB40 received an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement in 2003.
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
Personal life
Campbell is the father of eight children, including two with his current wife, Julie.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz/celebrity/ali-campbells-fairytale-love-affair/|title=Ali Campbell – Marriage – Love – Celebrity – Editor's picks|magazine=New Zealand Woman's Weekly|location=New Zealand|access-date=22 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031231030/http://www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz/celebrity/ali-campbells-fairytale-love-affair|archive-date=31 October 2014}}
Discography
=Albums=
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected details ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:21em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK {{fact|date=September 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SCO |
|---|
| scope="row"| Big Love
|
| 6 || - | |
| scope="row"| Running Free
|
| 9 || - | |
| scope="row"| Flying High
|
| 13 || - | |
| scope="row"| Great British Songs
|
| 15 || - | |
| scope="row"| Silhouette (as Ali Campbell - The Legendary Voice Of UB40 - Reunited With Astro & Mickey){{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/31551/ali-campbell/|title=ALI CAMPBELL | full Official Chart History |website=Official Charts}}
|
| 18 || - | |
| scope="row"| Unprecedented (as UB40 featuring Ali and Astro) {{Cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/ub40-ali-campbell-astro-album-unprecedented/|title = UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell & Astro Announce New Album 'Unprecedented'|website=Udiscovermusic.com|date = 18 February 2022}}
|
| 8 || - | |
=Compilation albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected details ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:21em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK {{fact|date=September 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SCO |
|---|
| scope="row"| The Hits of UB40 Live (as UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey)
|
| - || - | |
| scope="row"| Unplugged + Greatest Hits{{Cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/new-releases/ub40-go-acoustic/|title = UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue Go Acoustic|website=Udiscovermusic.com|date = 19 October 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/exclusive-ali-campbell-talks-to-udiscover/|title=Exclusive: Ali Campbell Talks to uDiscover|date=20 December 2016}} (as UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey)
|
|17 || - | |
| scope="row"| A Real Labour of Love (as UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey)
|
|2 || - | |
= Singles =
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"| Song ! colspan="4"| Chart peak positions !rowspan="2"| Album |
| width="35"| UK {{cite web |title = UB40 Official UK charts |url = http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/ub40/ |website = Officialcharts.com |access-date = 12 June 2013 |archive-date = 15 July 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130715034005/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/ub40 |url-status = live }}{{cite web |title=The Official Charts Company: Siobhán Donaghy |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |accessdate=16 September 2009}} !width="35"| AUS !width="35"| NED !width="35"| EU |
|---|
| rowspan="3"|1995
|"That Look in Your Eye" (with Pamela Starks) |align="center"| 5 |align="center"| 80 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |rowspan="3"| Big Love |
| "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah"
|align="center"| 25 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |
| "Somethin' Stupid" (with Kibibi Campbell)
|align="center"| 30 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |
| rowspan="2"|2007
|align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |rowspan="5"| Running Free |
| "Would I Lie to You" (with Bitty McLean)
|align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |
| 2008
|"Running Free" (with Beverley Knight) |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |
| 2009
|"Out from Under" |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |
| 2010
|"Carrie Anne" |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |
Filmography
Live Concert Stream
- In Memory Of Astro (2022) - On 27 May 2022, streaming service On Air released the In Memory of Astro live concert stream. Recorded at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, the career-spanning show was performed in memory of Ali Campbell’s dearly departed friend and bandmate Astro.
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- [http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/558/ali_campbell_i_be_3ree/ Ali Campbell interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' July 2010]
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.alicampbell.net/}}
{{UB40}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Campbell, Ali}}
Category:English male singer-songwriters
Category:British reggae singers
Category:English reggae musicians
Category:Ivor Novello Award winners
Category:Singers from Birmingham, West Midlands