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Arts Reporter
Brian Travers, founder member and saxophonist of the hugely successful UK reggae band, UB40, who died on Sunday, will be remembered in Zimbabwe for the tour the band held in 1982.

Travers, who suffered from cancer, died at his home in Birmingham at the age of 62.

Apart from the popular 1982 tour, UB40 is also known in Zimbabwe because of some of its hit songs which topped the local charts during the time they were released.

Songs that endeared UB40 with many include “Red Red Wine”, “Kingston Town”, “Homely Girl”, Falling in Love With You” and “Cherry on Baby”.

As a founding member of UB40, Travers was an important part of the band during its tour of Zimbabwe in 1982 where shows were lined up for Bulawayo and Harare.

According to The Herald of May 7, 1982, the show in Bulawayo was washed away, with the stage caving in after heavy rains.

The band successfully held its next performance at the City Sports Centre in Harare.

“It had been a long wait particularly after their eagerly-awaited performances in Bulawayo limped to a standstill last Friday when rain caved in a stage canopy, snapped one of the supports and a wind gust brought all the standing water on the electric equipment,” reported The Herald.

The band, which was just about to appear on stage, had to abandon the Bulawayo show.

Travers is quoted by The Herald commenting on the incident in Bulawayo saying: “The whole thing was OK. Just that 150 gallons of water on the microphones stopped it.”

After the City Sports Centre show, UB40 held two more successful shows at Rufaro Stadium.  Announcing Travers’ death, the band said in a statement saying: “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 (Sunday) evening after a long and heroic battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with Brian’s wife, Lesley, his daughter, Lisa, and son Jamie.’’