UB40

Coming to prominence in the '80s, reggae ambassadors UB40 were not only the first British reggae band to achieve mainstream pop crossover success, but essentially the only reggae artists since the Wailers to ever break through to the US in a major way. Though their later work was softened a bit with pop production, they've always paid homage to their roots; their seminal album LABOUR OF LOVE is strictly covers of reggae classics, whose original performers they'd later collaborate with on new recordings. Lead singer Ali Campbell announced his decision to leave the band to pursue a solo career in 2008.

• pop
• reggae
• 1990s
• 1980s
• 2000s