Founder of Big 1980s Group Is Dead at 62

Brian Travers of UB40 had brain cancer
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 23, 2021 8:13 AM CDT

His name might not be a household one, but his band and music will be familiar to anyone familiar with the 1980s. Brian Travers, a founding member of UB40, has died at age 62 at his home in the UK after battling brain cancer, reports RTE.

  • Big hits: UB40 is best known for hits such as "Red Red Wine" and "Can't Help Falling in Love."
  • Enduring: Travers played sax in the group, which is still in existence and has charted multiple top 40 hits in the UK over the years. Travers' last performance with the group came in 2019, before his illness made it impossible to continue, per the New York Post. He is survived by his wife and two children.

  • 'Devastated': “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our comrade, brother, founding UB40 member and musical legend, Brian David Travers,” the group announced. "We are all devastated by this news and ask that you respect the family’s need for privacy at this time.”
  • That name: Travers and some of his friends formed UB40 in Birmingham, England, in 1978. A Telegraph retrospective from years ago noted that the band name came from the name of the unemployment form filled out by people in the UK at that time, including members of the band.
(More obituary stories.)

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