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  • Published: 15 June 2006
  • ISBN: 9780099476542
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $32.99

Blood And Fire



The long-awaited autobiography of the UB40 brothers

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'.

  • Published: 15 June 2006
  • ISBN: 9780099476542
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $32.99

About the authors

Robin Campbell

Ali and Robin Campbell were born and brought up in 1960's Birmingham and went on to lead one of pop/reggae music legends UB40 with record sales in excess of £50 million.

Ali Campbell

Ali and Robin Campbell were born and brought up in 1960's Birmingham and went on to lead one of pop/reggae music legends UB40 with record sales in excess of £50 million.

Praise for Blood And Fire

UB40 on overcoming alcohol and drugs to become a stronger band than ever.

the Mirror