UB40 is urging Birmingham to honour its remarkable musical heritage by establishing a dedicated hall of fame museum. Despite being the birthplace of heavy metal and home to some of the world’s most influential bands, the city currently lacks a space that truly reflects its significant contribution to the music world.
Robin Campbell, UB40’s founding member, guitarist, and vocalist, recently expressed his surprise at Birmingham’s apparent neglect of its own rich musical history. Speaking to BirminghamLive, Campbell said, “The whole musical history of Birmingham is so under-recognised by Birmingham itself. There’s no promotion whatsoever of our rich tapestry of musical history.”
Campbell explained that Birmingham’s diverse range of musical genres might be the reason it hasn’t received the same recognition seen in cities known for a single sound, such as Manchester’s club scene or Liverpool’s Merseybeat. “If we had one sound, like Manchester’s club sound or Liverpool’s Merseybeat, then we would get pushed and recognised,” he said.
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From the 1960s bands like The Move and Steve Winwood to influential groups such as The Rockin’ Berries, Birmingham’s pop music history is notable. Beyond pop, Birmingham is credited with inventing heavy metal and nurturing legendary reggae bands like Steel Pulse and UB40 itself. The city also played a critical role in the birth of bhangra music, a genre that has gone on to enjoy global success but remains largely unacknowledged locally.
Campbell passionately argued, “There should be a hall of fame because we’ve got more members than any other city – apart from London, but that’s the capital. You go to Liverpool, and you’re battered by the city’s history. There’s one sound, pioneered by The Beatles, which is the biggest band in the world. But Birmingham is equally rich in its musical history and successes. Why there isn’t a hall of fame already, I don’t know.”
UB40’s vocalist Matt Campbell suggested Digbeth, near the HS2 station, as a prime location for a potential hall of fame, highlighting that it would be easily accessible and visible to visitors.
UB40 is set to embark on a worldwide tour starting in Paris this year, while their new album is slated for summer release. Campbell and the band’s call for recognition underscores Birmingham’s deserving place in the musical spotlight.