Thanks for sending in your questions for Mkchael. We received hundreds of questions, we have included a selection of them here.
Nicola from Huddersfield asked Michael: -
Q: It’s obvious that after 22 years you still really enjoy what UB40 are doing….the smile on your face for most of your performance at Liverpool & Warwick said it all. It was SO nice to see!
I’d like to know if it’s still as nerve racking for you to perform live or do you get a rush of adrenalin from the moment you step on stage, or, has it become part of a familiar routine over the years that you are comfortable with now?
A: It is always a pleasure to be part of the excitement a UB40 concert can generate. There is no feeling like it, and it is always a privilege to take part.
The only really nerve racking time is at the first shows on a tour, when we are all working to ensure the best possible results for any new material we are performing, but with so many old favourites in the show, it doesn’t take long to enjoy the familiar routine of sharing our love of reggae with our audience.
Bobby from Carlisle asked Michael: -
Q:Hey Mickey!!!! It’s your number one fan Bobby from Carlisle.
I was wondering about the tracks you perform live, is there any you find more difficult than others ?
A:The most difficult tracks to perform tend to be new material we have never performed before. But once these have been ‘broken in’ live, there are few distractions to enjoying the UB40 experience.
Steve from Essex asked Michael: -
Q:Yo, yo Michael, how’s tricks? I want to ask if UB40 hadn’t have happened what do you think you would have been doing in life now? Do you think you would still be living in Brum and what do you think you would have been doing to earn a living?
A:I really don’t have a clue. UB40 have been so successful for so long that it really never has been a question of what if, like most things in life you can’t know what you would do until it happens and for me, I hope it never does. We are all well and working on new material for our next album at the moment.
Tanya from Somerset asked Michael: -
Q:Hello Mickey….There will obviously come a time when UB40 won’t be together as a band any more (sad but true)…Have you any plans for when this happens…What will you do – play keyboard for other bands/start your own group/retire somewhere hot and sunny, sign on???!!!
A:I disagree, I think UB40 will continue for many years to come and as such I really can’t contemplate what the future holds, but its nice to know there is someone I can contact for ideas, should the need arise!
Baggariddim from Jamaica asked Michael: -
Q:Just wanna say how much your melodies have really moved me these years I’ve been a UB40 fan. Plus, I think your work on the keyboards, particularly from the 90’s up to now has been truly brilliant and imaginative. My question is about your process.
Do you compose the melodies lyrics first or music first and at what point do your write them down?
A:Usually the music and lyrics are two separate entities. Different members of the band write lyrics and if used these are merged with tracks which have been composed or jammed by the band. This is not true of all our tracks, but generally this is the way we work.
Since most of the band do not read or write music this process is usually left to our publishing company once the whole process is complete.
Steve from London asked Michael: -
Q:Hi Mickey. I know you played with Jason & Tabbaruk, but just wondered if you had any solo projects you may be involved in, that’s not strictly UB related?
A:Working with an artist as talented as Jason was both a pleasure and a privilege. I have been known to work on tracks for band members’ own projects, but at the moment we are all working on a new album for release some time early in 2003, so I won’t be involved in anything else for the time being.
Donna from the USA asked Michael: -
Q:Two questions for you Mickey: a) What’s the hardest part of working with your long-time mates? b) Of all the fantastic chords and melodies you have contributed what song are you most proud of?
PS. Hope to see you in the States soon, your fans here miss you and feel neglected. Much Respect.
A:I suppose the hardest part of working with my mates are the arguments we have over compositions, and performances. Sometimes it is hard to believe we are all working towards the same aim (especially when blood is spilt!), but after 22 years I suppose it is an integral part of UB40.
I like to think of all our songs as the children of UB40, so I am proud of them all.
Hope to see all our American fans soon (2003), we haven’t forgotten you and look forward to partying with you all soon.
Elaine asked Michael: -
Q:Hello Michael my friend, how are you?
I am very into music, I am 1 grade from teaching now I’ve been playing piano for 15 years. I am 20 years old just gone 25th September. I have written a few songs, I’ve tried to get into a band but I’ve had no such luck as yet. I love UB40 music, always have done, I love reggae. I have a KORG N364 keyboard, what keyboards do you use in your group?
A:Hello Elaine, I am very well thank you.
It sounds as if you are a very talented musician and you must feel very fortunate to be able to utilise the web to promote your work. I look forward to seeing your name in lights.
Korg keyboards have been my ‘weapon of preference’ for many years now and so I am sure you are aware of its excellence. At the moment I am using the Korg Triton (replacing my N364).
Gerard from Birmingham asked Michael: -
Q:Hiya Micky
What music do you listen to these days? (name an artist or 2)
A:Bob the Builder and the Tweenies. Well, you asked for it! Also lots of STING FM and demos for our new album and, like Sly & Robbie say ‘anything and everything’.
Imani from Bradford asked Michael: -
Q:I’d love to know who are your most admired musicians, especially keyboard players, and three of your all time fave reggae songs. Keep up the good works!
A:Having met so many, I have to say I admire all musicians, but being able to work with ‘Jackie Mittoo’ the father of modern reggae was a special privilege. My top three reggae songs….too difficult to choose, there are just so many!
LA from Florida asked Michael: -
Q:Greetings, Michael. Firstly, I would like to say that you guys make a talented and outstanding team. I have a two part question I would like to ask of you. A) Who inspired you to play the keyboards and B) Could you tell me what was the meaning or message in the song “Blood and Fire”?
A:Reggae music inspired me to play music rather than any one person and being in UB40 inspires me to play keyboards.
I think everyone gets a different meaning or message from “Blood and Fire”, but for me it was more of a “Legalise It” anthem.
Shaun asked Michael: -
Q:Would you like to sing on future albums?
A:I have helped with backing vocals on tracks in the past, but the idea of lead vocals has never appealed to me, but who knows, maybe if the right track comes along, watch this space!
Ed from California asked Michael: -
Q:Michael, in terms of your own work, of which of the band’s albums are you the most proud?
A:I am very proud of ‘Signing Off’ because it was the album which launched our careers, but I am also very proud of Baggariddim, Dance Hall, and the Fathers album because it allowed us to work with Artists we respect and admire.
Neil from Bath asked Michael: -
Q:Just one question, after being a fan for 22 years I would like to know what’s the nicest ‘solo’ piece you play as my favourite is yours on ‘Burden of Shame’.
A:For me the nicest solo is ‘Johnny Too Bad’ because I have been performing it live for so long and because Norman and Astro’s performance of the number is so enjoyable.
Mark asked Michael: -
Q:I just wanted to know what was your favourite year/time in the band so far and why?
A:I suppose it would have to be 1980 because our first album, ‘Signing Off’, launched the band and allowed us to perform professionally.
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