UB40, Britain's #1 Reggae Band, formed over 20yrs ago, consists of 8 band members
who all come from the city of Birmingham, England. Influenced by Reggae music, which was
very much the music of the day in their environment, UB40 started out on their long career
together, not only as musicians, but as friends.
Their first 6 months together were spent in a cellar while they learned how to play
their instruments as a band, practicing songs from their favorite artists such as Gregory
Isaac's. UB40's first venture into the public arena was in February 1979.
During 1979 UB40 played various dates in Pubs & Clubs, eventually reaching out
around the country
They recorded a demo tape which was played on Robin Valk's BRMB show, John Peel, who
heard this broadcast, was so impressed he arranged a session on Radio One, which was first
broadcast in January 1980
UB40 were later approached by Chrissie Hynde, to be the support group for the
Pretenders first national tour. Around the same time UB40 signed their first record deal
with Graduate Records, a small independent company and while touring with the Pretenders
released their first single, which reached #4 in the UK Charts. The first band ever to
reach the top ten without the backing of a major record label.
From their debut album, Titled "Signing
Off" UB40 released a further 2 more singles, but it wasn't long before UB40
realised that the only way to make money in the music business was to take control over
their own destiny. From this decision DEP International was born, UB40 had formed their
own record company.
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