Brian Travers

RIVERS CROSSED

Co-founder of insanely popular 1980s British reggae inspired band UB40, Brian Travers has died of cancer. Saxophonist Travers was part of the group when it formed in 1978, and played for them for over 40 years until brain cancer hit. UB40 were named after the unemployment benefit attendance card of the time. Heavily inspired by their love of reggae, the band became the most successful reggae band in the world, selling over 70 million records and having over 50 chart singles in the UK. Yes, the most successful reggae band of all time is 3 white brothers from Birmingham. (Although I do hear UB40 are actually very popular in Jamaica, for some reason. Covers of songs such as Red Red Wine and I Cant Help Falling in Love with You were massive hits, as was a godawful duet of I Got You Babe with Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde. Travers, and the rest of his band, was nominated 4 times for a Grammy.  He was a unique hit for the Team with No Name.

Brian Travers
7 February 1959 – 22 August 2021
unique