U.K. reggae group UB40 had its first international success in Aotearoa. The band went on to have five number one singles here and has regularly played sell-out concerts across the country. We caught up them to discuss their legacy, on the 30th anniversary of their debut album Signing Off.
2010 saw the 30th anniversary of UB40's first album Signing Off. Although original singer Ali Campbell has left the band, the remaining members marked the occasion by playing the album in full on an extensive tour.
Hosts Andrew Dubber, and Ranking Roger - from UB40 contemporaries The Beat - catch up with the group in their hometown of Birmingham to discuss the band's legacy, how it all started, the special relationship with New Zealand and the 30th anniversary of Signing Off.
UB40 members discuss their special relationship with NZ:
Presented by Andrew Dubber and Ranking Roger; and produced by Sam Coley, Steve Thornton and Chris Williams for Radio New Zealand National.
Music Details - UB40: Signing Off
Title: Ghost Town
Band: The Specials
Album: Single
Label: 2 Tone CHS TT17
Title: I Got You Babe
Band: UB40 & Chrissie Hynde
Album: Baggariddim
Label: DEP International
Title: Mirror in the Bathroom
Band: The Beat
Album: I Just Can't Stop It
Label: Go Feet
Title: Tyler
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: King
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: 12Bar
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: Burden Of Shame
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: Adella
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: I Think It's Going To Rain Today
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: 25%
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: Food For Thought
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: Little By Little
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: Signing Off
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off
Label: Graduate Records, 1980; Virgin
Title: Madam Medusa
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off (Delux Reissue)
Label: Graduate Records, 2010; Virgin
Title: Strange Fruit
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off (Delux Reissue)
Label: Graduate Records, 2010; Virgin
Title: Reefer Madness
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off (Delux Reissue)
Label: Graduate Records, 2010; Virgin
Title: My Way Of Thinking [12" version]
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off (Delux Reissue)
Label: Graduate Records, 2010; Virgin
Title: I Think It's Going To Rain Today [12" version]
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off (Delux Reissue)
Label: Graduate Records, 2010; Virgin
Title: Earth Dies Screaming, The [12" version]
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off (Delux Reissue)
Label: Graduate Records, 2010; Virgin
Title: Dream A Lie [12" version]
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off (Delux Reissue)
Label: Graduate Records, 2010; Virgin
Title: King [BBC Radio One John Peel session]
Band: UB40
Album: Signing Off (Delux Reissue)
Label: Graduate Records, 2010; Virgin
Title: Breakfast in Bed
Band: UB40 & Chrissie Hynde
Album: Single
Label: DEP International
Title: Red, Red Wine
Band: UB40
Album: Labour of Love
Label: DEP International, Virgin