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Maxi Priest is UB 40's new lead singer - good move or bad?
Maxi Priest is UB 40's new lead singer
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Priest. joined UB40 on tour last year
Internationally-acclaimed reggae crooner, Maxi Priest, is now the lead singer for the British reggae band, UB40, according to reports.
The collaboration with Maxi Priest is expected to form a more permanent alliance and has already yielded a recording of Bob Marley's I Shot The Sheriff and is expected to form half of a double A-side single soon. Maxi Priest joined UB40 on tour last year, and there has been speculation that he would be named lead singer, following the resignation of former frontman, Ali Campbell.
Maxi Priest is one of the only two UK reggae acts (other being UB40) to score an American Billboard number one and that was with the song Close To You in 1990.
His combination with Roberta Flack Set The Night To Music also made it to the US Top Ten the following year, 1991.
Maxi Priest's first major album self-titled Maxi Priest along with his cover of Cat Stevens Wild World cemented him as one of Britain's top reggae singers.
It was on January 24, this year, that it was announced that UB40 frontman Ali Campbell was quitting the band, reportedly to pursue his solo career. However, in an open letter to fans, Campbell, who co-founded the Birmingham-based band almost 30 years ago, said he had been "forced" to make the decision to leave.
He went on to criticise the band's management before praising the remaining seven band members, including his brother Robin Campbell.
"I know UB40 will carry on successfully without me and I wish them all the very best - they have been my family for the last 28 years and will always be my brothers."
Campbell reportedly completed a scheduled tour of Australia, New Zealand and Uganda in February before leaving the group. An album, 24/7, recorded with him, will still be released in May.
UB40 released their first album in 1980 and went on to score three number one hits, with Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe and Elvis Presley cover (I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You. They have topped the album chart twice with Labour of Love and Promises and Lies.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Priest. joined UB40 on tour last year
Internationally-acclaimed reggae crooner, Maxi Priest, is now the lead singer for the British reggae band, UB40, according to reports.
The collaboration with Maxi Priest is expected to form a more permanent alliance and has already yielded a recording of Bob Marley's I Shot The Sheriff and is expected to form half of a double A-side single soon. Maxi Priest joined UB40 on tour last year, and there has been speculation that he would be named lead singer, following the resignation of former frontman, Ali Campbell.
Maxi Priest is one of the only two UK reggae acts (other being UB40) to score an American Billboard number one and that was with the song Close To You in 1990.
His combination with Roberta Flack Set The Night To Music also made it to the US Top Ten the following year, 1991.
Maxi Priest's first major album self-titled Maxi Priest along with his cover of Cat Stevens Wild World cemented him as one of Britain's top reggae singers.
It was on January 24, this year, that it was announced that UB40 frontman Ali Campbell was quitting the band, reportedly to pursue his solo career. However, in an open letter to fans, Campbell, who co-founded the Birmingham-based band almost 30 years ago, said he had been "forced" to make the decision to leave.
He went on to criticise the band's management before praising the remaining seven band members, including his brother Robin Campbell.
"I know UB40 will carry on successfully without me and I wish them all the very best - they have been my family for the last 28 years and will always be my brothers."
Campbell reportedly completed a scheduled tour of Australia, New Zealand and Uganda in February before leaving the group. An album, 24/7, recorded with him, will still be released in May.
UB40 released their first album in 1980 and went on to score three number one hits, with Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe and Elvis Presley cover (I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You. They have topped the album chart twice with Labour of Love and Promises and Lies.
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