Entertainment
Duncan Campbell exits UB40 as he retires from music following seizure
Duncan Campbell is retiring from music due to medical reasons (Picture: Rob Ball/Redferns via Getty Images)
Singer Duncan Campbell has revealed he’s stepping down from UB40 and retiring from music, following a seizure earlier this month.
The frontman, 63, suffered a stroke in August least year, spending the last 10 months recovering in anticipation for the reggae group’s upcoming tour.
The band, which formed in Birmingham in the late 1970s, said in a statement shared on Monday morning that they were preparing to announce their new singer imminently.
Campbell said: ‘Unfortunately, due to continued ill health, I have reluctantly decided to retire from the band so as to focus on my recovery.
‘I am very grateful, and would like to express my sincere thanks to the fans for all their support during this time and indeed throughout my time with UB40.
‘The band have my full support going forward and, of course, my very best wishes for the future with their new singer.’
He was hospitalised last year following a stroke (Picture: Redferns)
Campbell’s older brother and bandmate Robin said on behalf of UB40: ‘We’ve been rehearsing with every intention of Duncan’s return to performing, but sadly, after suffering further illness, he has made the decision to retire from music in order to concentrate fully on his recovery.
‘While we are deeply saddened, we completely understand and fully support his decision. As far as touring goes, we are ready to hit the road for our upcoming summer shows and will be announcing our new frontman imminently.’
In August last year the band confirmed Campbell was in hospital after he had a stroke.
A message, shared on their official Instagram page, read: ‘We can confirm that our lead singer and brother Duncan Campbell was taken to hospital after suffering a stroke.
‘While we can report that he is already up and about, we ask fans to respect Duncan and the family’s privacy as he works his way back to what we all hope will be a strong and speedy recovery.
‘We look forward to seeing you all on the road next spring.’
UB40 formed in 1978 in Birmingham, choosing their name as a reference to a form issued to people claiming unemployment benefits at the time.
The band produced hits including Red Red Wine and Falling In Love With You and its line-up remained stable for 29 years until January 2008, when frontman Ali left the band over a disagreement about management.
Campbell replaced younger brother Ali as lead singer of the chart-topping group, with the former frontman highly critical of his replacement, saying watching his brother perform the band’s songs ‘makes my skin crawl’.
Ali has since toured as part of the breakaway group UB40 Featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey.
UB40 have scored more than 40 top 40 songs in the UK and are recognised as one of the country’s most successful bands.
They released collaborations album Bigga Baggariddim last week, which features reggae artists from around the world including New Zealand’s House of Shem, India’s Reggae Rajahs and British artist Tippa Irie.
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