UB40 Declared Bankrupt Despite Countless Chart Hits

Despite over 50 songs hitting the British charts and a reported 70 million albums sold worldwide, reggae group UB40 have declared bankruptcy -- an ironic development considering their name derives from the "Unemployment Benefit, Form 40" that once had to be filled out to get on the dole.

According to NME (via the Daily Mail), a judge at Birmingham County Court made the ruling, leaving tax officers able to seize the group's property to pay off debts. Four members of the group -- saxophonist Brian Travers, drummer Jimmy Brown, percussionist Norman Hassan and trumpeter Terence "Astro" Oswald -- were declared as "insolvent."

UB40 -- best known for hits such as 'Red, Red Wine' and a cover of Sonny and Cher's 'I Got You Babe' with the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde -- must also pay costs in the case which are an estimated 57,000 pounds.

The bankruptcy culminates a series of incidents regarding the group's finances in recent years. In 2008, lead singer and founding member Ali Campbell left the group over financial disputes.

"There has been a complete failure to supply any adequate financial information, causing Ali Campbell to question why it is being withheld particularly when so much time has passed," his representatives said in 2008 when he left the band. Keyboardist Mickey Virtue left the group months later making similar claims.

"UB40 have been asset stripped by the people around them," Campbell said last July in a radio interview. "The people around the band have destroyed it with help from some of the members of the band."

According to Contact Music, proceedings began in February after the band's former record label DEP International was being scrutinized by tax officials due to debts. Campbell's spokesperson commented on the recent news stating the bankruptcy vindicated his and Virtue's decision to leave the band.

Oddly enough, the news comes during the same week UB40 was slated to play a Birmingham pub where they played their first gig in 1978.

The band made no statement regarding the situation on their official site, and they still have four dates slated for next January, three in the Netherlands and one in Belgium. The group are also reportedly recording a new studio album. We'll have to wait and see how bankruptcy impacts these plans.


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