UB40's Ali Campbell Claims 'Glassed in the Face' Was Key to His Stardom
Ali Campbell, the frontman of UB40, attributes his rise to fame to a brutal bar fight that left him with a glass shard in his face and a chance meeting with Chrissie Hynde. This shocking incident occurred when he was just 17, resulting in 90 stitches and significant vision loss in his left eye.
Two years after that life-altering event, Campbell found himself on stage at The Rock Garden in London, where Hynde, then riding high with the Pretenders, spotted him. She invited UB40 to support her on a 35-date tour across England, despite the band having only played a dozen gigs.
After that tour, the band capitalized on their newfound exposure by headlining a similar tour themselves. Their first single, a double A-side titled Food For Thought / King, surged to No4 in February 1980, marking the beginning of their ascent.
In just six months, they transitioned from learning to play music to releasing their debut album, Signing Off, which sold a million copies. Campbell reflects on this rapid success as “kind of ridiculous” for a group of young men from Birmingham.
The aftermath of the bar fight brought him £4,000 in compensation—equivalent to around £30,000 today. He used part of that money to help his bandmates start a second-hand car business and invested the rest in musical instruments, despite being ripped off with obsolete equipment.
Growing up in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, Campbell witnessed poverty firsthand. He describes his childhood as one spent running errands for prostitutes in a rough neighborhood. Music became an escape for him and his friends, who were surrounded by a vibrant mix of Indian and reggae sounds.
He reminisces about playing pinball in local cafes while Bob Marley’s music filled the air. The local scene was burgeoning, but UB40’s success propelled reggae into the mainstream, reaching audiences far beyond their roots.
Campbell believes their choice of reggae as a genre is what has sustained their career. He notes that reggae is universally loved and serves as a unifying force at their concerts, where fans from three generations come together to sing and dance.
However, not all is harmonious in Campbell's life. He is estranged from his brothers Robin and Duncan after leaving UB40 following a major fallout in 2008. While they continued with the band, Campbell formed his own group, now known as UB40 featuring Ali Campbell.
He has also made significant lifestyle changes, having been teetotal for two years. He admits to having been a heavy drinker for decades but has since cleaned up his act, stating he wants to see his grandchildren grow up.
Living in Hampshire now, Campbell reflects on the loss of former bandmates Brian Travers and Terence Wilson, who both passed away in 2021. He acknowledges the toll that a reckless lifestyle can take on health and longevity.
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will embark on their Big Love tour across the UK in November and December. Tickets are available now.