Thanks for sending in your questions for Norman. We received hundreds of questions, we have included a selection of them here.
Tyisha from New York asked Norman: -
Q: Of all the beautiful songs that you made, which one holds the most value?
A: The song that really touches me is a track called “The Pillow”. The track is about the lonely and sad life of a prostitute and reflects the reality of the pain they suffer, which I witnessed growing up in inner city Birmingham and also shows the lack of help in our society for people struggling to survive. Brian’s sax solos throughout reflect their pain.
One Love!
One Heart!
Wnhall1 asked Norman: -
Q: I saw the Maybe Tomorrow video and you were tied to a wagon wheel. Why?
A: The band thought that it would be funny to dress me as a Mexican Bastardo, tie me to a wagon wheel and perch a vulture with an 8 foot wingspan behind me. That not only scared me but also unsettled the horses, which kept running off set.
So, when you ask me why, I have been wondering why myself!
Larry from Florida asked Norman: -
Q: Hi Norman, I have a two part question. When it comes to lead vocals (a) how do you guys determine who sings lead on any song and (b) this part may sound odd, but is it possible that later on you may be doing some of the toasting duties just as Astro and Earl do? Thank you.
A: Sometimes we choose to do a song and on other occasions we might all decide who should do a particular song because we feel that they are ideal for the deliverance, and also there are times that you write the song or somebody writes it for you.
With regards to the toasting duties, I have no plans as Astro and Earl are really good at it.
Respect!
Elaine aka Brummie Gal asked Norman: -
Q: Hi there Norman. Wanted to know if you think that growing up in Birmingham in the 70’s and 80’s has influenced your music in the band, or not…. Also, if you had not made it into UB40 do you think you would have tried for another band or gone on to do something completely different, if so what? …
That’s kinda 3 questions ent it…oops! Well you probably won’t answer then anyway so no matter….hee-hee!
A: Actually my first stage performance was with Ali, Ali’s other brother Duncan and my sister Marie live on BBC Radio at Ali’s dad’s Folk Club when I was aged 11. Growing up in Birmingham in the 70’s and 80’s I was influenced by a myriad of artists that I listened to on Radio and TV. In inner City Birmingham I would go to ‘Blues’ and listen to reggae, rock steady, ska and RnB, which has influenced me. From a very early age I wanted to be in a band and if I had not been in UB40 I would have probably formed a band.
I answered them for you Elaine aka Brummie Gal! TEE HEE!
Karen aka Firefly asked Norman: -
Q: My question for the lovely Norm is “do you ever get fed up of performing ‘J2B’ at gigs? It’s a highlight for me, I have it on 12” and love it, so please don’t stop performing it.
Also (yeah I now cheeky as ever!) can you please wish me a happy birthday, when your answers get posted its my Birthday! A: To Karen aka Firefly (In Jamaica you’re known as Peeny Wally = Firefly)
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, hope that you had a great day!
I still enjoy performing Johnny Too Bad, but sometimes I would like to do other tracks that I have done, but I always get outvoted by the band because of the great response the track J2B gets at shows.
Once again Happy Birthday!
BIG LOVE!
Nika from Ohio asked Norman: -
Q: Norman, what other type(s) of music do you like besides reggae, if there be any?
A: Reggae is my first love, but my love of music is varied, from country and western to opera to classical i.e. Jim Reeves, Patsy Klien, Tammy Wynette, Otis Reading, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Mario Lanza, Pavarotti, Craig, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, BB King, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, Beetles, Bob Marley, Earth Wind & Fire, Arron Neville, Whitney Houston, Eminem, Shinehead, Busta Rhymes, Coolio. These are just off the top of my head. All forms of music inspire me.
Mark from Worcester asked Norman: -
Q: Just want to say that I was at your concert in Dubai on the 5th May at the Tennis Stadium and it was a fantastic night. Did you enjoy your time in Dubai, and do you still love touring?
A: Mark, a week off in the sun in such a beautiful city, Yes! I enjoyed every second.
I still love touring as it gives me the opportunity to visit beautiful places, such as Dubai!
Respect!
James Russell asked Norman: -
Q: Just wondering if you are coming to America soon ???
A: Wha’ssup James! The band would love nothing more than to come and play in the States. Hoping to in the near future. Keep your eye on the website!
Respect!
Reneta from Poland asked Norman: -
Q: I have a short question for you. Could you explain the origin of the name of your group ‘UB40’?
A: In England if you were unemployed, you had a card called a UB40 (UB=Unemployment Benefit) and 40 was the card code.
As the band members were all unemployed we felt that it was only right to call the band UB40! And also we had 10 million unemployed people that could relate to unemployment!
One love my Poland sister!
Baggariddim asked Norman: -
Q: First, let me say you have a really cool voice and I always hope to hear more of your congas on the albums and stuff. Anyway, my question is: Do you think the UB’s will ever play in Jamaica, WI one day either as part of a festival or single concert, and are the conditions right in the current state of Reggae for this to happen?
A: Firstly, thank you for the compliment. We have striven to play in Jamaica in Reggae Sunsplash over the years. As you know we have recorded an album with the Fathers of Reggae and an album with the hottest Jamaican DJ’s.
As a band, when we tour, we do a show which we travel the world with, when we approached promoters in Jamaica they will not allow us to bring the full show in (sound equipment etc) which wouldn’t be fair to our audience or to the band’s show. But it is our life ambition to play in Jamaica, where our musical roots are from!
One love!
Lee from Stoke-on-Trent asked Norman:-
Q: Where did you learn to dance ?
A: It might look like dancing to you, but it is my nervous disposition and the constant dodging of missiles!! But thank you for calling in dancing!
Nikki Nailor from the West Midlands asked Norman:-
Q: After all the years the band has spent together, do you step back from time to time and wonder ‘How did I get here?’ Or for a fleeting moment are you totally amazed at what you have accomplished together?
Here’s to at least another 21 years of UB40.
Big Love xx
A: It never fails to amaze me when I’m looking out at a packed house, especially when everybody sings along to every song.
Even after 21 years I am still waiting for someone to pinch me.
Henny aka Dubmobile from Holland asked Norman: -
Q: I was just wondering, was there a reggae band or artist who gave you the influence to play the percussion and congas or was it just yourself who liked to play it? And if there were some, who was it, and wouldn’t you like to jam with a reggae artist like Burning Spear some day (which is a great player too, as you may know).
A: There’s a percussionist called Scully who I thought was great and a guy called Toto. Also it wasn’t so much that I chose to play percussion, it was a case of whoever came up with a particular instrument played it!
With regards to jamming with various different artists, in the past we have toured with Jamaican artists who I’ve had the honour to jam with, such as Burning Spear and many more (Eeka Mouse, Mikey Dread etc, etc!)
Saad Qidwai from Essex asked Norman: -
Q: There are loads of us who are fans of your vocals so is there any chance of Norman Hassan solo album please?? I know I’d buy lots of copies to promote it for ya!!!!!!
Cheers. A: It’s surprising what 400 cigarettes a day does for your vocals! But thank you!
Me and a school friend of mine called Gilly have been working on an album, so far we have 14 tracks, some of which we have written and some are covers.
But my priority is UB40 and everything else has to take a back seat. Also I am working with my cousin and a girl named Kelly with Topnotch productions. So for the time being any solo ventures are on hold!
ONE LOVE ONE HEART!
Claudia from Germany asked Norman: -
Q: After you have achieved more in life than many others, have you still got any ambitions? (i.e. is there still any dream you wish to come true?)
A: I still have loads of ambitions! My biggest ambition being to play Jamaica and to give reggae the recognition it deserves around the world.
Steve aka Jumbo asked Norman: -
Q: Yo, yo, yo Norman. How did you feel the first time you had to sing solo on stage ??? Were your bongos going ten to the dozen?
A: My first experience singing solo was a track called ‘Lovers Leap’ by Bin Sherman and it was the most terrifying experience of my life. I could feel my heart pounding, sweat pouring, legs wobbling and the four minutes seemed like a life-time!
And the congas had rapid hand firing!!
Jolanda aka Silent Witness from the Netherlands asked Norman:-
Q: Hope you are well. My question is, is there any other song you like to sing live beside Johnny too Bad?
A: Yes! But the band won’t let me, I get out-voted!!
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