EXCLUSIVE UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers died penniless after 'long and heroic' cancer battle, documents reveal

Daily Mail​

15-05-2025

The saxophonist and songwriter of chart-topping reggae group UB40 died penniless, MailOnline can reveal.
UB40 were the most commercially successful reggae band of all time, selling more than 100million records over a glittering three-decade career.
But in 2011 four of the original line-up were declared bankrupt following a bitter split from frontman Ali Campbell over the band's finances.
They went on to be chased through the courts for unpaid debts and in 2015 were involved in a £250,000 fight over rights to the group's name.
Now probate documents have revealed Brian Travers' estate had a net value of £0 when he died in 2021 after a 'long and heroic' cancer battle. It had a gross value of £1,346, and was only released in May this year.
The will, made in 1999, showed that his fortune would have gone to his wife Lesley, who he met in his late teens. Had she died before him, it would have gone to his daughter Lisa and son James.
Mr Travers died aged 62 at his home in Moseley, Birmingham, surrounded by his family on August 22 2021.
The musician had previously revealed he was facing a second brain tumour operation in two years after suffering a seizure before Christmas of 2020.
A statement from 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.
'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.'
UB40 was formed in 1978 by seven unemployed friends - their name came from Unemployment Benefit Form 40.
Their biggest hit was a cover of Neil Diamond's Red Red Wine, which topped the charts in 1983.
They had further numbers ones with a version of I Got You Babe in 1985 and I Can't Help Falling In Love With You in 1993. ther hits included One In Ten in 1981, Don't Break My Heart in 1985 and 1990 release Kingston Town.
The band also enjoyed two huge number one albums in the UK - Labour of Love in 1983 and 1993's Promises and Lies.
The later insolvency case revolved around the band's record firm and management company DEP International.
Speaking in 2011, former frontman Ali Campbell said the financial battle showed he was right to have left the band, with a spokesperson telling The Telegraph it was 'vindicating both Ali and Mickey Virtue's decision to leave UB40'.
Speaking earlier the same year, he said he had left after his bandmates had not listened to him about the impending ruin.
Mr Campbell said they burned through cash at the height of their fame, including living in five-star hotels.
He said: 'This was my biggest fear when I was with them, that bankruptcy was going to happen and no-one can say I didn't warn them.'
He continued: 'They decided to back the management and not me, I'm still very bitter about it. I was very proud of what I achieved with UB40. It was a band I started, I was with them for 28 years and we made 24 albums. But we were divided and ruled, and this is what happened in the end.
'UB40 have been asset-stripped by the people around them.'
Mr Travers said he had not seen Mr Campbell for eight years in a 2015 interview, despite the pair being best friends growing up at Moseley School of Art and the singer even being best man at his wedding.
The saxophonist revealed had to sell his large Worcestershire home to settle the debts, but said he was no longer bankrupt four years after the court battle.
'By carrying on working we've come through all of that bankruptcy thing that happens to a lot of musicians in their 50s if they get ripped to shreds by accountants who want a better life for themselves,' he told the Birmingham Mail.
But he said he remained happy despite having to downsize his lifestyle - saying he 'wouldn't do it any differently'.
He continued: 'Our son and daughter are now in their 30s and you can only watch one TV and sleep in one bedroom at once.
'I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in Birmingham – I've spent my whole life expressing myself and paying the rent.'
The remaining members of the band faced further financial woes after entering into a legal battle over the use of the name UB40.
Mr Travers, along with most of the original lineup, had been touring under the name. But at the same time, Ali Campbell had been doing the same with bandmates Astro and keyboardist Mickey Virtue.
The fight resulted in a £250,000 legal bill before a resolution had even been reached.
Mr Travers' last performance with the band was at a concert in December 2019 held at the Arena Birmingham.
The band line-up remained the same for nearly three decades until January 2008, when Ali Campbell left the band.
In June 2021 UB40 frontman Duncan Campbell, Ali's brother, announced his retirement from music due to ill health and was replaced by Kioko musician Matt Doyle as the band's lead singer.
Doyle joined the most recent line-up of Robin Campbell, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Laurence Parry, Tony Mullings, Martin Meredith and Travers.