Brian Travers: UB40 founding member dies after 'long and heroic battle with cancer'

Brian Travers was a founding member of the West Midlands reggae group UB40, which began in 1978, and was a reference to the form that people used to claim unemployment benefits at the time.

Monday 23 August 2021 14:29, UK

Brian Travers has died
Image: Brian Travers played saxophone in the band
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UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers has died after a "long and heroic battle with cancer", the band has said.

Travers, who was one of the reggae group's founding members, died on Sunday aged 62 at his home in Moseley in Birmingham, surrounded by his family.

In a statement, the band said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our comrade, brother, founding UB40 member and musical legend, Brian David Travers.

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"Brian passed away yesterday evening after a long and heroic battle with cancer.

"Our thoughts are with Brian's wife Lesley, his daughter Lisa and son Jamie.

"We are all devastated by this news and ask that you respect the family's need for privacy at this time."

His last performance with the band was at Arena Birmingham in December 2019.

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UB40, famous for hits such as Red Red Wine and (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You, formed in Birmingham in 1978, and the band's name was a reference to the form that people used to claim unemployment benefits at the time.

Undated handout photo of UB40, frontman Duncan Campbell (far right) has announced his retirement from music after having a seizure at home earlier this month. The 63-year-old suffered a stroke in August last year and had spent the past 10 months recovering in preparation for the British reggae group's forthcoming UK tour. He replaced his brother Ali as lead singer of the chart-topping group in 2008. Issue date: Monday June 28, 2021.
Image: Travers, second from the right, is a founding member of UB40

They have sold more than 100 million records and have had more than 40 top 40 hits in the UK. UB40 is widely regarded as one of the country's best musical exports.

Up until original singer Ali Campbell left in 2008, the band's line-up remained largely unchanged.

He was replaced as vocalist by his brother, Duncan, who retired earlier this year due to illness.

Duncan Campbell was replaced by Kioko musician Matt Doyle as the lead singer.

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