UB40 focuses on future

On Saturday, UB40 performs in Las Vegas for the first time without the man who sang "Red Red Wine."

Ali Campbell left the multiplatinum-selling reggae/pop band in January, after nearly 30 years. The frontman has been replaced by his older brother, Duncan, who has performed a dozen gigs with the band so far.

"He has the same kind of vibe," said UB40 bassist Earl Falconer, speaking by phone from England, "and a lot of people have been saying they can't even tell the difference.

"He's really that good."

The band also includes Ali and Duncan's brother, Robin.

"Obviously, when Ali left, we were all scratching our heads and a bit depressed," Falconer said. "It was quite traumatic. But we've been rehearsing really hard, and it's all come together really good."

Falconer said Ali Campbell's focus on his solo career detracted from his commitment to the collective, which released a new album, "24/7," in May. (It features Ali's vocals.)

"UB40's always been a democratic band," Falconer said. "The eight members all got paid the same. We all had the same power. But Ali had this solo project that basically took him three years to bring to fruition."

According to Falconer, Campbell became "more and more difficult to work with" after inking with a new management company.

"We kept on having to put our LP back because he wanted his LP to come out first," Falconer explained. "And we had a big tour already lined up for the launch."

In a statement on his Web site in January, Ali Campbell didn't exactly disagree. He blamed "intolerable" problems with UB40's management -- although he noted that he has been recording as a solo act for 13 years.

"I have been deeply unhappy with administrative practices and with many decisions that have been made in recent years," the statement read.

Falconer's former bandmate also smelled something funny with the band's finances.

"He had lawyers on the case investigating revenue," Falconer said. "And it's all been proved above board."

Formed in 1978, the members of UB40 met one another in colleges and other schools around Birmingham, England. They named themselves after the form Britons were required to fill out to receive unemployment benefits at the time -- Unemployment Benefit Form 40.

Fusing reggae with pop, UB40 scored worldwide hits in the '80s with covers of "I Got You Babe," "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You" and "Red Red Wine," the Neil Diamond composition that became the band's signature piece.

Until January, the band included all eight original members. But Ali's departure also precipitated a second exit. Keyboardist Michael Virtue resigned in March.

"Mickey also thought the same thing as Ali," Falconer said. (When he left, Virtue released a statement supporting the investigation into the band's finances.)

"But he didn't really tell us until just after Ali left," Falconer added. "And I think he's now part of Ali's band."

Falconer said he's focused only on the future of UB40.

"We all miss Ali and Mickey," he said. "But it's just one of those things. You can't force people to work with you. We got over it and we've moved on, and we've been moving forward.

"And when people see us, they can judge for themselves whether it's good or not."

UB40, performing at Red Rock Resort as the third act in the series of Bottle Rock It concerts, will be joined by special guest star Maxi Priest.

Contact reporter Corey Levitan at clevitan@review journal.com or 702-383-0456.