UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers will miss the band’s 40th anniversary tour after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The band revealed on Facebook that the musician was taken to hospital last week after suffering a seizure at his home. Subsequent brain scans revealed he had two tumours.
Travers is now awaiting brain surgery and has been advised by doctors that his recovery will take up to six months.
“It is with great regret that I shall be unable to join my band mates in UB40 on our 40th anniversary tour,” he said in a statement.
“The guys have worked incredibly hard to perfect the songs in preparation for the live premiere of our new album For the Many. 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 & sculpture. It’s been a huge privilege and I thank you all for the opportunity to ‘live the dream’.”
The band confirmed the tour, which begins on Friday 29 March in Portsmouth, will still go ahead.
“We are deeply saddened that Brian, our lifelong friend and founding member of UB40, is unable to join us for our celebratory UK tour,” they said. “We know he will be missed by all but his health and wellbeing 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.”
Their latest album For the Many was released on 15 March.
