He’ll miss the band’s upcoming 40th anniversary tour to undergo treatment
UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Travers, who co-founded the long-running Birmingham band back in 1978, will now miss the group’s upcoming 40th anniversary tour to undergo treatment.
The musician suffered a seizure at his home last Tuesday (March 19) and was taken to hospital. Subsequent scans showed that Travers had two tumours, and he’ll now undergo surgery on Thursday (March 28) – the day before the band begin their tour in Portsmouth.
UB40 Star Brian Travers To Miss 40th Anniversary Tour After Being Diagnosed With Brain Tumour UB40 star Brian Travers…
Posted by UB40 on Monday, March 25, 2019
“It is with great regret that I shall be unable to join my band mates in UB40 on our 40th anniversary tour, the guys have worked incredibly hard to perfect the songs in preparation for the live premier of our new album ‘For the Many’,” Travers said in a statement. “They sound great, but I shall be there in spirit, cheering them on from my convalescence and thinking of all the wonderful people out there who have supported us for the last 40 years, who I am now incredibly proud to count as friends.
“I’ve had a great life with no regrets and have absolutely nothing to add to a bucket list except getting over this and getting back to the thing I love, playing music to anyone who wants to listen and expressing myself through painting and sculpture. It’s been a huge privilege and I thank you all for the opportunity to ‘live the dream’.”
The band confirmed that the tour will still be going ahead, adding: “We’re deeply saddened that Brian, our lifelong friend and founding member of UB40, is unable to join us for our celebratory UK tour. We know he will be missed by all but his health and well-being come first, and we are sure our friends and fans will join us in wishing Brian a full and speedy return to health, and return to us.”
