We put both forms of the band head to head – to see who comes out on top

UB40 are at war – spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a High Court case.

But who is winning over the fans? Or playing the biggest gigs and garnering the largest social media followings?

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While they continue to fight it out over who owns the right to the UB40 name, we take a look at some fun stats to see whether there is more love for Ali Campbell or his brothers Duncan and Robin.

The two bands are both still touring at every opportunity and all over the world, too.

So here’s our light-hearted look at the rivalry between the two bands… to see how they are doing in the new battleground of social media and beyond.

There is ONE thing all of the Campbell brothers agree on.

And that is the fact they all think UB40 have played more gigs than any other British band.

As if to prove a point, both versions are still touring.

Their respective tickets are also still relatively affordable as you will see from the price comparisons.

So let us know which band you would rather pay to see……

UB40 in concert at The 02 Academy in Birmingham (Image: Iain Findlay)

Challenge One

Who has the most original/early members?

In the official UB40 you have Robin Campbell (guitar/vocals) who is playing with fellow original members Brian Travers (sax / horn arrangements), Earl Falconer (bass), Norman Hassan (percussion, trombone, vocals), Duncan Campbell (lead vocals) and James Brown (drums).

Completing this line-up are Martin Meredith (sax / keyboards), Tony Mullings (keyboards) and Laurence Parry (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone).

In Ali Campbell’s UB40 original and early members are Ali Campbell (guitar / lead vocals), Astro (trumpet / percussion) and Mickey Virtue (keyboards). Session musicians make up the rest of the band.

Verdict: Robin beats Ali

UB40 back on January 5, 1095 with (l-r behind mixing desk), Astro, Norman Hassan, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer, Ali Campbell, and left to right (front) Mickey Virtue, Robin Campbell and Brian Travers

Challenge Two

Who has the most fans on Twitter?

With 24.7K noting his every word, Ali’s Twitter account (@WeAreUB40) has a third more followers than UB40 (@UB40Official).

But UB40 have received one like per five followers, whereas Ali has only had one like per 22 followers.

They also started their accounts four years apart.

Ali first tweeted in 2009 and has accrued 3,000 followers per year, while UB40 have gathered 5,000 p.a. since launching their account in April 2013.

If you own a mouse, play it for 1 minute.CombatSiege

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Verdict: It’s a draw!

Fans at a UB40 concert at Birmingham city’s St Andrew’s stadium on June 10, 1989

Challenge Three

Who has the most Facebook followers?

UB40 have 1,175,004 Facebook likes – six times more than the 184,176 for UB40 featuring Ali Campbell

Verdict: UB40 beat Ali

Challenge Four

Which band last played in Birmingham and to how many fans?

The Performing Rights Society’s UB40 plaque at The Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, unveiled in 2011 (Image: BPM)
UB40’s first gig is now commemorated by a plaque outside the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath.

This pub is where Ali and Robin first hit the stage together on February 9, 1979.

When they were last in town on December 21, 2015, Robin Campbell’s UB40 played the 3,000 capacity O2 Academy, Horsefair where tickets were £35 + booking fee.

UB40 with Ali Campbell were last in Birmingham to play on Sunday, May 1.

The estimated crowd was 10,000 with the floor given over to standing. Tickets were £38.50.

Verdict: Ali beats official UB40

More: See fans reaction to UB40 featuring Ali Campbell… at Barclaycard Arena

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Challenge Five

Who has the most exotic tour dates booked?

UB40 arrive in Qatar, May 10, 2016 (Image: UB40 Official Instagram)
UB40 have just played a one-off gig in Qatar.

After sporadic dates in the summer including France and the Netherlands, they will headline the Saturday night of the inaugural Solihull Summer Festival in Tudor Grange Park on August 27, 2016.

They will then take in an 18-date UK tour visiting everywhere from Edinburgh and Leeds to Blackburn, Aylesbury and Southend.

Midland dates will include Skydome Music Arena, Coventry (May 20), the Splendour Festival, Nottingham (Jul 23), De Montfort Hall, Leicester (Oct 3) and Assembly Hall, Leamington Spa (Oct 8).

Fireworks over Las Vegas
UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey have three UK dates this summer – Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire (Jun 18), Chilfest Tring (Jul 8) and Lincoln Castle (Jul 9).

After that Ali’s band will be touring the US and Canada throughout July and August with cities visited including Vegas, Seattle, Atlantic City, Detroit, Atlantic City and New York.

Verdict: Ali wins (based on announced dates)

More: See UB40 back at the Eagle and Tun

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UB40 DRINK AT THE EAGLE & TUN – HOME OF RED RED WINE VIDEO

Challenge Six

Which band do you pay the most to see?

UB40 at The 02 Academy, 2015 (Image: Iain Findlay)
Tickets to see UB40 this autumn are typically £33-36.

Tickets for UB40 featuring Ali Campbell were £38.50 on May 1 in Birmingham. For Las Vegas and New York this summer they are £25 and £27.60 respectively.

Verdict: It’s a draw

Challenge Seven

Who has released the most new music?

Original UB40 lead singer Ali Campbell at the Hotel du Vin, April, 2016 (Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
When Ali Campbell was still part of the original UB40, the band released 16 studio albums until Ali’s last appearance on TwentyFourSeven (2008, No 81).

Their first five albums all made the top four and included one No 1.

Ten of their first 12 albums made the top ten and the other two got to No 12 and 14. Labour of Love (1983) and Promises and Lies (1993) both topped the charts.

Signing Off (1980) and Present Arms (1981) peaked at No 2. Geffery Morgan (1984) and Labour of Love II (1989) stalled at No 3.

A cassette tape cover pictured in the Eagle and Tun pub where the sleeve picture was taken (Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth)
So what has happened since Ali left in 2008?

The official UB40 have released two new albums – Labour of Love IV (2010, No 24) and Getting Over The Storm (2013, No 29).

They are currently working on a third this year.

Ali Campbell’s three albums (two of them released before he got together with Astro and Mickey to form another UB40) have all made the Top 20.

They are: Flying High (2009, No 15); Great British Songs (2010, No 15) and Silhouette (with Astro and Mickey) (2014, No 18).

Verdict: Ali wins here

More: Ali Campbell talking before his Barclaycard Arena gig

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ALI CAMPBELL OF UB40 SPEAKS TO BIRMINGHAMLIVE

Challenge Eight

The UB40 court case

UB40 stars Earl Falconer, Jimmy Brown, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers and brothers Duncan and Robin Campbell at the Eagle and Tun pub in Digbeth, February 2015 (Image: Darren Qunton)
In March 2016, Ali and his new group consisting of Astro and Mickey Virtue lost a bid to block a High Court injunction taken out by his two brothers stopping them using the UB40 trademark name.

Robin’s band wants an injunction and damages against Ali and the splinter group he set up two years ago, who they accuse of “passing themselves off” as UB40.

Judge Mark Pelling QC refused to strike out their case, ruling they have a ‘realistically arguable basis’ for their complaints against Ali and his band. A full trial date will be set.

Verdict: Ali loses at this stage for failing to prevent a trial

More: watch the video of eldest brother David Campbell talking about his brothers Robin, Duncan and Ali

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So, who wins our fun UB40 vs UB40 with Ali Campbell, Mickey and Astro battle?

Would you believe it, they each win three rounds with two judged too close to call!

In other words, as with all music artists, the fans will be the ones who decide who’s best.

Verdict: It’s a draw!

And a quick reminder… how did the split happen?

Ali Campbell at the Hotel du Vin in April, 2015 (Image: Graham Young)
Ali left UB40 after 30 years in 2008.

He was outraged that another brother, Duncan, then joined forces with Robin to continue as the official UB40.

The members of Robin’s group say Ali left to pursue a solo career which didn’t go to plan, hence his decision to “steal” their UB40 name.

Ali says he left to “preserve the UB40 legacy” and qualifies this by adding “I’ve seen better tribute acts” (than Robin’s UB40).