Blood And Fire
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Product Description
Book Description
The long-awaited autobiography of the UB40 brothers
Product Description
Born and raised in a council house on Birmingham's notorious Balsall Heath under the watchful eye of their staunchly socialist, folk singer father, Robin and Ali Campbell were to become members of the most successful reggae band in the world, a career that has spanned four decades.
But this is not the autobiography of a pop band legend, but rather the story of two working class brothers crashing and burning and fighting back against the odds. It is the story of growing up in the 1960s to the sounds of Motown and ska, folk music and skiffle and radical politics and - most importantly - the new and infectious sound of reggae that was to capture the ears of these two teenage kids from the Midlands.
Instilled by their father from an early age to always do things their own way, the brothers - in between dead end jobs and the dole office - put together a band that would show Balsall Heath what reggae was all about . Mismanagement, drink, drugs, divorce, paranoia and jail terms would dog the band and threaten to destroy it all - including the brother's relationship and yet they come to amass record sales in excess of 50 million, with nearly 50 hit singles to their credit - from 'Red Red Wine' and 'Don't Break My Heart' to 'Homely Girl' and 'I Got You Babe'.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story of UB40 is a classic tale of 8 working class guys from Birmingham who came good and sold tens of millions of records during an illustrious career in the music industry. It wasn't always roses for them and this autobiography (by the Campbell brothers, Robin and Ali) captures many key moments and provides a unique insight into the band's early development and subsequent milestones in their long, chequered and sometimes controversial career.
Beyond their chart success material, I was first introduced to the band's music through a girlfriend while I was at school around 1984. She constantly played the "Signing Off" album and to this day it remains one of my most rated albums and a record that defined a personal era for me. Note that it's now available in a special 30th anniversary edition: Signing Off [2CD+DVD]
2005's 'Blood & Fire' is a quick read (217 pages across 27 chapters, including 16 pages of photos) and traces the origins of the band to the Campbell brothers' ancestral Scottish roots and their household upbringing with folk music. The big breaks are also outlined here (e.g. the support slot with Chrissie Hynde, the deal with Graduate Records, Bob Lamb's production etc). What I found most interesting in this book, though, were the wealth of anecdotes, such as:
*Ali's £4,000 criminal injuries compensation money after a beer glass was put into his face and how this was pivotal in financing the purchase of some of their original instruments
*their brother, Dave, doing time for robbery, then going on to manage the band for a while
*the impact of drugs e.g. during the recording process for "UB44"
*their meeting with Richard Branson of Virgin Records after CBS dropped them due to an incident with one of their leading executives
*their feud with Dexys Midnight Runners
*their fall out with Graduate Records after the "Burden of Shame" track was omitted from the South African release of the "Signing Off" album
*Ali's troubles while setting up a studio in Jamaica
*how they lost out on early royalties for airplay as they weren't properly registered with the music royalty collection agencies
*the drugs busts around the world
*how Robin set up a nightclub ... in the basement of the building used by the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad ...
*Ali's brush with Reggie Kray
*guns being pointed at them while touring in the USA
... I could go on. This book is jam-packed with incident, insight and the entertaining recollections of Robin and Ali Campbell.
UB40 are a legendary British band and their story is one of overcoming adversity, managing to keep together a large group of mates in the process, and enjoying a seesaw of many highs and lows over the decades. The book only covers the period up to 2005, but if you're a fan of the band then this insight is a must-have and a very worthwhile read.
Beyond their chart success material, I was first introduced to the band's music through a girlfriend while I was at school around 1984. She constantly played the "Signing Off" album and to this day it remains one of my most rated albums and a record that defined a personal era for me. Note that it's now available in a special 30th anniversary edition: Signing Off [2CD+DVD]
2005's 'Blood & Fire' is a quick read (217 pages across 27 chapters, including 16 pages of photos) and traces the origins of the band to the Campbell brothers' ancestral Scottish roots and their household upbringing with folk music. The big breaks are also outlined here (e.g. the support slot with Chrissie Hynde, the deal with Graduate Records, Bob Lamb's production etc). What I found most interesting in this book, though, were the wealth of anecdotes, such as:
*Ali's £4,000 criminal injuries compensation money after a beer glass was put into his face and how this was pivotal in financing the purchase of some of their original instruments
*their brother, Dave, doing time for robbery, then going on to manage the band for a while
*the impact of drugs e.g. during the recording process for "UB44"
*their meeting with Richard Branson of Virgin Records after CBS dropped them due to an incident with one of their leading executives
*their feud with Dexys Midnight Runners
*their fall out with Graduate Records after the "Burden of Shame" track was omitted from the South African release of the "Signing Off" album
*Ali's troubles while setting up a studio in Jamaica
*how they lost out on early royalties for airplay as they weren't properly registered with the music royalty collection agencies
*the drugs busts around the world
*how Robin set up a nightclub ... in the basement of the building used by the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad ...
*Ali's brush with Reggie Kray
*guns being pointed at them while touring in the USA
... I could go on. This book is jam-packed with incident, insight and the entertaining recollections of Robin and Ali Campbell.
UB40 are a legendary British band and their story is one of overcoming adversity, managing to keep together a large group of mates in the process, and enjoying a seesaw of many highs and lows over the decades. The book only covers the period up to 2005, but if you're a fan of the band then this insight is a must-have and a very worthwhile read.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As one of the co-authors of this book feel it fair to point out that it is just being completed now and nobody outside of the authors and publisher has seen it so the above reviews - while generous and on-the-money in terms of its star rating! - are fakes since these individuals cannot have read it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
great read .from angela s wales
luvd the book lads .good to get a picture of your backround after being a fan for many years.you are all great musicians and the book iv recomeded to many.well dun!see you soon
Published on 20 Sep 2006 by A. Boulton
brilliant read
Excellent read for UB40 fans. This book is an honest and genuine account of the good times and the bad. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2006 by J. WALKER
For all UB40 Fans....a great read...
Wow...the book I've been waiting for...the autobiography of Ali and Robin Campbell. If you're a UB40 fan, get this book... Read more
Published on 20 April 2006 by Shawn Campbell
Giveing you the chance
UB40 HAVE NEVER BEEN ONES TO GRAB THE CHANCE OF GIVEING INTERVIEWS, OR SHOVEING THEIR STORY DOWN THE PUBLICS THROATS. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2005 by matthew west
Buy Today Without Delay
After being a fan of many years, and after many succesfull albums and singles i can say that this book was one of the best reads ever..... Read more
Published on 21 April 2005 by ThePrisoner
**Get Ur Butt In Gear When It Arrives**
it's hot hot hot...i give this book an A++++++++++..Highly recommended for any fan of the Campbell brothers and UB40....Basically what you see is what you get. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2005 by Coty Blevins
Go Get It!!!
I give this book an A++++++++++..Highly recommended for any fan of the Campbell brothers and UB40....Basically what you see is what you get. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2005 by Coty Blevins
A brilliant read
I thoroughly recommend this book. Great read and had me hooked for hours. Very good value for money.
Published on 23 Jan 2005 by H. Payne
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