Disappointment for UB40 fans

THOUSANDS of people expecting to see veteran band UB40 at a sell-out anti racism concert in Yorkshire were disappointed after their drummer was taken ill and warned by doctors not to perform.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd May 2010, 02:01 BST

Updated 3rd May 2010, 02:02 BST

The Birmingham band were billed as headliners for the Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) event in Barnsley town centre, which sold 10,000 tickets and organisers had only 48 hours notice to fill the slot.

They accept that some people may have been disappointed by the last-minute change with Neville Staple, who sang with 2 Tone band The Specials, standing in with an alternative band.

LMHR spokesman Phil Turner said: "We did have a rather good replacement. Some people were disappointed, but we still had some of the best performers in the country."

UB40 released a statement which said: "James Brown suffered server abdominal pains prior to the band's rehearsals. James was taken to hospital and has been advised to rest by doctors."

Fellow ban member Brian Travers said: "We are so disappointed for the organisers and our fans."