Brian Travers

UB40 saxophonist

BORN 1959

Born in Birmingham, Brian Travers was an apprentice electrician before joining UB40 in 1978. Schoolfriends who learned to play and write reggae together, their first hit was Food For Thought, a UK Number 4 in April 1980. As on other early successes, including Top 10s My Way Of Thinking and One In Ten, Travers’ snaking saxophone was an essential element of the UB40 sound. After tempering their militant style, worldwide success followed 1983’s pop-reggae covers set Labour Of Love, their version of Neil Diamond’s Red Red Wine reaching Number 1 in the UK and America. Also a film-maker, Travers directed videos for the group and the 1987 concert movie UB40 – CCCP: Live In Moscow, and co-wrote Labour Of Love’s accompanying film. He stayed with the group after singer Ali Campbell’s acrimonious departure in 2008 and weathered bankruptcy proceedings in 2011. Also an exhibited abstract artist, Travers was diagnosed with a brain tumour on the eve of UB40’s 40th anniversary tour. His final appearance with the band came on December 21, 2019, at the Arena Birmingham.