UB40 is headed to the Lincoln Theatre

CHEYENNE — On Thursday, Cheyenne residents can experience a blast from the past when British pop-reggae group UB40 performs at The Lincoln Theatre.

Most known for their covers of Neil Diamond’s “Red Red Wine” and Elvis Presley’s “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You,” UB40 is still going strong after 45 years (hence their 2024 album name “UB45”). In that time, they have recorded 20 studio albums, 19 compilation albums, six live albums and 65 singles.

Don’t be fooled, though. Even though they became recognized for their cover songs, they have quite a few originals under their belt, as well. Even with their covers, the band has always pulled influence from reggae sound and put their own spin on any songs they cover.

Original band member and bassist Earl Falconer recently talked with the Wyoming Tribune Eagle about growing up playing bass and listening to reggae music.

“My parents are Jamaican, so I grew up listening to all kinds of reggae,” he said. He also explained that he started playing bass at 9 years old.

The band started young, too. Beginning as friends when they were teenagers, and forming an official band at 19, members Ali Campbell (guitarist), Jimmy Brown (drummer) and Falconer (bassist) got together in 1978 and started rehearsing both charting reggae songs and original compositions. They were soon joined by five friends, percussionists Yomi Babeyemi and Norman Hassan, saxophonist Brian Travers, keyboardist Jimmy Lynn and guitarist Robin Campbell. The eight of them created chart-topping history together.

After going on tour with the Pretenders in 1979, they really started to pick up steam. Their first single, “King/Food for Thought” was released after playing some shows with the Pretenders and reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.

UB40 is on a nine-week tour across America, stopping in Cheyenne on their way to Utah.

“Just being together is fun, [in our songwriting sessions] we mess around and joke,” said Falconer. “I’m happy to be on the road again. I’m excited for people to come out; it’s always a good time.”

The current members of the band are Jimmy Brown, Falconer, Robin Campbell, Norman Hassan and Matt Doyle. Doyle joined as the band’s new vocalist in 2021.

Even though it’s been 45 years, and the band has had its ups and downs when it comes to health issues and bandmates retiring, they still love performing, making music together and even just simply watching football together after an interview.