Formed in Birmingham in 1978, UB40 became the world’s most successful reggae band, selling over 100 million records and spending over eleven years in the UK album charts. Their stable lineup lasted thirty years before featuring vocal changes, and they marked 45 years together with their album UB45.
London-based, Australia-born singer and actor Jason Donovan rose to fame in the soap opera Neighbors. As a teen idol produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, he achieved massive U.K. success, including the chart-topping duet Especially for You with Kylie Minogue and the hit album Ten Good Reasons. He later starred in stage musicals like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
EXTC, formed by XTC's original drummer Terry Chambers, brings the influential British new wave and art-rock band's catalog to live audiences. Originating in 2020, the project, approved by XTC frontman Andy Partridge, performs classics like "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime." The band features Steve Hampton and Terry Lines. A live album became available, and new material is developed. EXTC is celebrated for its energetic performances of the XTC songbook.
North Philadelphia sibling vocal group Sister Sledge achieved mainstream fame during the disco era with hits like We Are Family and He's the Greatest Dancer, produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Their versatile style spans pop, soul, funk, and disco.
Ali Campbell is an English singer and guitarist born in Birmingham. He is best known as the former lead vocalist of the pop-reggae band UB40, famous for hits like Red Red Wine. After leaving the group in 2008, he pursued a successful solo career with albums including Big Love.
Formed in Ireland in 1975, the Boomtown Rats combined punk energy with new wave sophistication. Fronted by Bob Geldof, the rock band achieved UK success with hits like Rat Trap and I Don't Like Mondays. Geldof also organized the historic 1985 Live Aid concerts.
From The Jam, formed in 2006 by original Jam members Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton with Russell Hastings, carries on the mod revival and punk rock legacy. They are known for electrifying performances of The Jam's hits like "Going Underground" and "Town Called Malice," and have also released albums such as "Smash the Clock."
Led by frontwoman Clare Grogan, 1980s new wave band Altered Images achieved major chart success with Top 10 hits like Happy Birthday and I Could Be Happy, and won Best New Act at the NME Awards before touring arenas.
Formed in 1970 in Liverpool, The Real Thing is Britain’s most successful Black group. The soul band is best known for hits like You To Me Are Everything and Children of the Ghetto, which was covered by Mary J Blige.
Born Liverpool, England; SAW pop singer/actress (Bread). UK #1 “You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You”; hits incl “Only Fools”; Eurovision UK rep; collab Big Fun.
