Robin Campbell-UB40-Gavin Woos Podcast Series 9 Episode 2

Gavin Wood's Podcast

Robin Campbell is a guitarist and founder member of the English reggae and pop band UB40, who were formed in December 1978 in Birmingham.

The band has had more than fifty singles in the UK singles chart.

They have also achieved considerable international success, having sold over 70 million records worldwide. UB40 was proud of itself on the ethnic makeup of the band’s original line up which was very diverse, with musicians of English, Welsh, Irish, Jamaican, Scottish and Yemeni parentage.

The origins of UB40 began in 1978 when Ali Campbell got togetherwith some of his friends. His brother Robin Campbell was initially reluctant to join the band but was persuaded to do so later the same year after he had bought a guitar. At the time of joining the band, Robin was an apprentice toolmaker.

In 1988 UB40 performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert held at Wembley Stadium in London.

In January 2008, it was announced that Ali Campbell would be leaving the group after thirty years. Mickey Virtue departed shortly afterwards to join Ali. Astro also left in 2013 to join them.

When Ali left, elder brother Duncan joined to take over lead vocals but he retired in June 2021 following a stroke. He was replaced by Matt Doyle of fellow Birmingham reggae band Kioko.