UB40 Shit Storm Erupts Again - Noise11.com (original) (raw)
UB40’s continuous shit storm is set to fire up again with news that former members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue are about to tour Australia as Ali Campbell’s UB40.
Campbell left UB40 in 2008 for a solo career. Mickey Virtue left not long after and Astro departed in 2013. In 2014 the remaining founding members took legal advice to stop Campbell using the name, which he is obviously ignoring for this Australian tour.
In March this year the shit hit the fan once again when Campbell, Astro and Virtue announced UK dates as UB 40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue.
Edmund Cullen QC, the lawyer for the remaining band members, smelling an easy Ferrari in this legal bullshit, argued that fans recognised the existing UB40 as the true continuation of the band. They insist Campbell has no right to use the UB40 name and that the three are “passing themselves off” as UB40.
According to The Guardian, Cullen argued that Campbell and Co were exploiting the goodwill of the original band.
Campbell lawyer Tom Hickman argued that with Campbell and Astro, there was no UB40 and that the case should be ‘struck out’.
Campbell lost his appeal to have the case dropped with Judge Mark Pelling clearing the way for a full trial. Judge Pelling said that the remaining band members have “a realistically arguable basis” for a trial.
Regardless, Ali Campbell will bring his show to Australia using the UB40 name.
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue dates
January 10, Fremantle, Arts Centre
January 12, Sydney, Enmore Theatre
January 13, Melbourne, Hamer Hall
January 15, Bribie Island, Sandstone Point
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Tagged as:Ali Campbell, Astro, Mickey Virtue, music news, UB40, UB40 Shit Storm Erupts Again