What is Ali Campbell's Net Worth?
Ali Campbell, a renowned singer-songwriter and guitarist, has an estimated net worth of $2 million. Despite achieving immense success by selling over 120 million albums worldwide, Campbell faced financial difficulties and declared bankruptcy in 2011. Best known as the lead singer of the British reggae band UB40, he has sold more than 70 million records globally. Some of the band's hit songs include "Red Red Wine," "King / Food for Thought," and "Can't Help Falling in Love." Besides his work with UB40, Campbell has also enjoyed a successful solo career and served as a judge on "New Zealand's Got Talent" for one season.
Bankruptcy
In October 2011, Ali Campbell was declared insolvent by Bournemouth County Court. Around the same time, UB40's corporate entity and several band members, including sax player Brian Travers, drummer Jimmy Brown, trumpeter Terence Oswald, and percussionist Norman Hassan, also declared personal bankruptcy.
Early Life
Ali Campbell was born on February 15, 1959, in Birmingham, England. He is the son of the late Scottish folk singer Ian Campbell and has two brothers, Robin and Duncan.
UB40
In 1978, Campbell, drummer Jimmy Brown, and bassist Earl Falconer started performing popular reggae songs along with their own compositions. They were soon joined by Campbell's brother Robin and four friends, forming the band UB40, named after a British unemployment benefit form. The band's debut album "Signing Off," released in 1980, was an instant success in the UK, reaching number two on the albums chart and launching the hit single "King / Food for Thought." UB40 gained popularity in the US with the 1983 release of "Labour of Love," featuring cover songs including the hit "Red Red Wine," which topped the charts in both the UK and the US.
Throughout the 80s, UB40 continued to release successful albums like "Geffery Morgan," "Rat in the Kitchen," and "Labour of Love II." In 1993, they released "Promises and Lies," which included a cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love," prominently featured in the film "Sliver." Subsequent UB40 albums included "Guns in the Ghetto," "Labour of Love III," "Cover Up," and "Who You Fighting For?." Campbell left the band in 2008 due to a management dispute. He reunited with bandmates Astro and Mickey Virtue in 2014 to record "Silhouette" and continued to release albums under the name UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey. Astro passed away, and their album "Unprecedented," worked on before his death, was released in 2022.
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Solo Career
As a solo artist, Campbell released his debut album "Big Love" in 1995, featuring the UK top-five hit "That Look in Your Eye." His next solo album, "Running Free," came out in 2007 and was also successful in the UK. He followed up with "Flying High" in 2009 and "Great British Songs" in 2010, both of which reached the top 15 on the UK albums chart.
New Zealand's Got Talent
In 2012, Campbell was a judge on the reality television competition show "New Zealand's Got Talent," sitting alongside Rachel Hunter and Jason Kerrison. His reggae style was particularly popular among the Maori and Pacific Island communities. He was replaced in the third season by American choreographer Cris Judd.
Honors and Accolades
With UB40, Campbell received the Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Reggae Album for 2005's "Who You Fighting For?."
Personal Life
Campbell married his wife Julie in Las Vegas nearly 30 years after they first met. They have two children, Louis and Drew. A self-proclaimed former philanderer, Campbell also has six other children from previous relationships: Ali Jr., Max, Kibibi, Jack, Indica, and Kaya.
