Tavares

In 1983, Ralph Tavares stepped down from the group, and Tiny left in the mid 1990s, but the other three brothers continue to tour. UB40's music has often tackled social issues such as racism and unemployment. Their popularity ebbed with the fading disco scene by the early 1980s. Their new injection of life into so many old Jamaican hits has resulted in many musicians and producers renewed popularity and income. Hit songs include It Only Takes a Minute, Don't Take Away My Music (1976), The Ghost of Love (1977), Who Done It? (1977) and Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel (1975). Many of UB40's later recordings were inspired by 1960's ska and early lovers rock songs that would have otherwise been forgotten in the public eye. Originally named Chubby and the Turnpikes, in 1973 they signed with Capitol Records and soon began charting regularly on the R&B and pop charts. They have had a number of hits, most commercially and to amusement of the band, "Red Red Wine", a cover version of a Neil Diamond song (in an arrangement similar to that of Tony Tribe's version).

Tavares is a soul music supergroup comprised of five brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts: Ralph, Tiny, Chubby, Butch and Pooch Tavares.
The band purchased its first instruments with compensation money Ali Campbell received after a bar fight. Its members include:. Other artists that UB40 have collaborated with include: Pato Banton, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde and Afrika Bambaataa. Their early music style was unique, with a heavy influence of analogue synthesizers, psychedelic rock guitar, saxophone and Dub Reggae producer techniques which were later perfected by the late Pablo Falconer.

UB40 were influenced by the many Blues Parties they attended as teenagers in multiracial Birmingham, their love of ska and reggae inspired such original tracks as "King", "Madam Medusa", "Ivory Madonna", "Signing Off" and "One in Ten", later covered by 808 State. for claiming unemployment benefits (UB40 = Unemployment Benefits, Form 40). The band is named from the paper form issued by the U.K. The band may be the world's most culturally diverse dub reggae band with English, Turkish, Welsh, African and Jamaican parentage musicians.

UB40 is a popular dub reggae / reggae pop music band formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England. Homegrown (2003),UK #49. Cover Up (2001), UK #29. The Very Best of UB40 (2000), UK #7.

Labour of Love III (1998), UK #8. UB40 Present the Dancehall Album (1998). Guns in the Ghetto (1997), UK #7. The Best of UB40 - Volume Two (1995), UK #12.

Promises and Lies (1993), UK #1. Labour of Love II (1989), UK #3. UB40 (album)|UB40 (1988), UK #12. The Best of UB40 - Volume One (1987), UK #3.

UB40 CCCP: Live in Moscow (1987); Live in Moscow, Russia 1986. Rat in the Kitchen (1986), UK #8. Baggariddim (1985), UK #14. Geffery Morgan (1984), UK #3.

Labour of Love (1983), UK #1. UB40 Live (1983), UK #44. UB44 (1982), UK #4. Present Arms in Dub (1981), UK #38.

Present Arms (1981), UK #2. Signing Off (1980), UK #2. Pablo Falconer (producer). Astro (toasting vocals).

Terence Wilson (percussion, trumpet). Mickey Virtue (keyboards). Brian Travers (saxophone). Norman Hassan (percussion).

Earl Falconer (Bass guitar, vocals). Robin Campbell (lead guitar, vocals). Ali Campbell (guitar, lead vocals). Jim Brown (drums).