Legendary reggae / pop crossover artists UB40 on Monday were declared bankrupt by a a Birmingham, England judge.  The judge has given the go ahead for authorities to begin seizing the group's assets, in order to pay off a massive amount of debt accumulated through the band's former management team, the now-defunct Dep International, Inc.  Liquidators have been entitled to the band's royalty payments since a hearing in July, and the band will also be accountable for court costs in the case, which have been estimated at around $88,000.

Ironically, the bankruptcy comes less than a week after the band was honored with the Performing Rights Society's Music Heritage Award, celebrating the occasion by performing at the Birmingham pub where they played their first gig in February, 1979.  The band's longtime frontman, Ali Campbell, as well as keyboardist Mickey Virtue, had left the band in 2008, complaining of financial troubles.