MUSICAL legend Billy Ocean will join UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro & Mickey Virtue for a special concert in Taunton.
UB40 -with a fantastic eight-piece band - will be bringing their inimitable blend of reggae and pop greatest hits to the forefront of the British summer events calendar, and will now be joined by Billy Ocean, in addition to the previously announced guests The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson, and introducing Raging Fyah.
The Grandslam Tour started in May and sees the band perform at some of the greatest outdoor venues across the UK and Ireland. Each of these shows promises concertgoers a first-hand experience of an outdoor event, with the addition of a real festival vibe; the result of the unique Grandslam format of the tour.
Ali Campbell said: “We are thrilled to now announce Billy Ocean as our special guest at Taunton Racecourse in June.
"The Grandslam Tour is going to be a brilliant experience for both us and the fans, and we are certain that Billy Ocean, The Original Wailers and Raging Fyah will each be widely welcomed by our fans.”
UB40 have released hit after hit since they formed in 1979, achieving four UK Number Ones (Red, Red Wine, Baby Come Back ft Pato Banton, I Got You Babe, ft. Chrissie Hynde and I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You) not to mention 17 Top 10 tracks.
Since reuniting three years ago, Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue have developed into a formidable touring outfit.
2016 saw them return to the States, play Australia and visit the vineyards of New Zealand for a Red Red Winery Tour.
hey also made an emotional return to UK in April 2016, when they performed songs from the first two Labour Of Love albums.
Billy Ocean has sold over 30 million records and had number one chart toppers worldwide (including the Grammy awarded Caribbean Queen, There’ll be Sad Songs and Get Outta My Dreams; Get Into My Car) and enjoys a much acclaimed career as both songwriter and performer.
His 1986 tune When the Going Gets Tough (the tough get going achieved huge success, and has since has cemented its place as one of the most popular party anthems of all time. Billy Ocean said: “I always like to play with UB40 and am delighted to be joining them at Taunton. I can’t wait to have a party with you all then.”
The Original Wailers will be performing those well-loved Bob Marley and the Wailers definitive songs that have become iconic.
Raging Fyah are regarded as one of Jamaica’s most promising young acts and have earned comparisons to legendary reggae outfits including Aswad and Steel Pulse, and Jamaica’s own Third World. Liz Doogan-Hobbs MBE, CEO of LHG Live, promoters for the Grandslam UB40 UK Tour said: “Grandslam is a summer event series combining stunning outdoor venues with a concert format with a real festival vibe. We are thrilled to be working with UB40.
"To now have Billy Ocean on board at Taunton is brilliant. We're looking forward to a great summer together."
For more information and tickets visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk
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