UB40 inducted into Camden's Music Walk of Fame

Following the death of Astro and departure of Virtue, the singer has continued performing under the title UB40 featuring Ali Campbell

Reggae band UB40 have been honoured with a stone and inducted into the Music Walk of Fame in Camden, London.

Ali Campbell, who was the band's frontman in their 1980s heyday, said it was a "full-circle" moment as he recalled how performances in Camden helped propel the group to fame.

Stars including the late Janis Joplin, The Kinks, Buzzcocks and Billy Bragg are also being honoured.

Previous inductees include legends such as David Bowie and Amy Winehouse.

Campbell said Camden was "special" for the band as it was the first place they performed outside their hometown of Birmingham, getting them noticed by prominent artists and driving their success story.

Having played at Camden-based music venue Dingwalls, the band secured a spot at Rock Garden, which led to The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde noticing them and eventually resulted in an invitation to tour with her band.

"It's like a big circle coming back to Camden and getting a star on the Walk of Fame," he said.

Formed in the late 1970s, UB40 enjoyed success with their covers of hits including Red Red Wine and (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You.

The original band split in 2008 when Campbell quit over a disagreement about management and was later joined by Mickey Virtue and Astro - who died in 2021 - to form a breakaway outfit.

'All very amazing'

Across the week, numerous bands and artists also being commemorated, including hip-hop group The Sugarhill Gang, Electric Avenue singer Eddy Grant, R&B group Shalamar, arts promoter Harvey Goldsmith, DJ Paul "Trouble" Anderson and founder of Kiss FM Gordon Mac.

The Who, Madness and Soul II Soul are among previous inductees.

Campbell said it was "very nice" for the group to be remembered alongside the list of "very special" artists.

Reflecting on the band's longevity, the 64-year-old said: "Who would have thought that we would still be knocking about?

"Who'd have thought I'd still be alive and who'd have thought I'd still be in my reggae band, promoting reggae? It's all very amazing."

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