Red Red Whine

The row over Ali Campbell quitting UB40 is heating up, as the former frontman and the remaining band members have both gone public with their different versions of the reason for the split.

What’s turning into a tit-for-tat row began January 25 when the band Web site carried a statement confirming that UB40 has parted company with Campbell after a 30-year career together, following his wish to focus more time on his solo career.

"That is not the truth," Campbell countered with a posting on his own Web site, which said he quit over what he describes as "intolerable" management issues.

"I released my first solo album 13 years ago and when I had released my current solo album I had every intention of continuing to balance my solo career with my commitment to the band," he said, openly contradicting reports that it was the solo career causing arguments within the band and the reason he left.

"The reason for me leaving the band is that management difficulties, which have been ongoing for almost five years, had become intolerable," he explained. "I have been deeply unhappy with administrative practices and with many decisions that have been made in recent years, and I have an ongoing investigation into the handling of my business affairs in relation to UB40."

At press time it wasn’t possible to get comment from Lanval Storrod, who looks after the act for the Birmingham-based Reflex Music management company, on the exact nature of the "intolerable" issues or Campbell’s "ongoing investigation" into the way his affairs have been handled.

The band hit back with a second Web posting on January 28, which began by saying it’s not normal practice for UB40 to discuss its affairs in public or through the media, but it went ahead and did it anyway – to clarify incorrect and misleading statements circulating in the media and to the fans.

In a post that then runs to well more than 1,000 words, it details the band’s claim that Campbell quit on January 24 during a meeting in the band’s studio when other members – including Campbell’s brother Robin – "asked Ali to clarify if he was going to remain as their lead singer."

"Ali responded by saying that he was leaving the band after completing UB40 tour dates in February 2008. Ali was not at any time, forced to resign, by any of the other band members or management acting on behalf of the band," the statement continued.

As for the management issues, it says that throughout the act’s 30-year career the management has "always been by a democratic process of all eight members. A decision process which Ali Campbell has actively participated in and been a fully paid up member."

The statement goes on to dispute Campbell’s alleged assertion that he "wrote all the songs." Those may not be either side’s last words on the matter.