Frontman Ali Campbell quits UB40

BEIJING, Jan. 28 -- The lead singer of British band UB40 has quit the band after nearly 30 years, citing management problems for his split from a group that rose to fame in the anti-Thatcher culture of the 1980s.

The band, whose name comes from the British social security form for jobless people, had hits including "Red Red Wine" and "I Got You Babe" over the years. The band will continue despite frontman Ali Campbell's departure.

"As one of the founder members of UB40, I have put the band first in my life for the past 28 years and am deeply saddened at the ending of that relationship," he said on his Web site.

"No words can express how upset I feel today that I have been forced to make this decision," the 48-year-old said.

The Birmingham-based band has sold 70 million albums worldwide. It emerged in the politically charged years under former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, when jobless tolls soared as economic reforms cut in.

The singer insisted that he was not leaving the band -- which also includes Campbell's brother Robin -- because of arguments over his solo career.

"That is not the truth. I released my first solo album 13 years ago and when I released my current solo album I had every intention of continuing to balance my solo career with my commitment to the band," he said.

"The reason for me leaving the band is that management difficulties, which have been ongoing for almost five years, had become intolerable.