UB40's Earl Falconer says meningitis diagnosis was 'brutal' as he reflects on near-death experience

UB40 bass player Earl Falconer was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis in October 2023 and says he feels 'lucky to be here' one year on from his near-death experience

UB40's bassist Earl Falconer has opened up about his harrowing experience with meningitis, which struck him down a year ago, leading to "mad dreams" and hearing issues. The 65 year old musician from Cannock, Staffordshire, was hit by bacterial meningitis in October 2023 after a trip to Ibiza.

He collapsed in his kitchen and later awoke in hospital, disoriented and under the impression he was in Mexico City. His condition, which can be fatal within hours as per the Meningitis Research Foundation, saw him hospitalised for two weeks before he was informed of his diagnosis.

Thankfully, Earl received prompt and effective treatment at Walsall Manor Hospital, allowing him to make an almost complete recovery. Despite suffering from distorted and reduced hearing, a significant challenge for any musician, he has resumed his passion and is currently performing in Auckland, New Zealand, as part of UB40's latest tour.

Reflecting on his ordeal and the impact it has had on his life and career, Earl shared with PA Real Life his newfound appreciation for life: "Just live life every day because life’s really precious and you never know what’s around the corner. It could all go pear-shaped."

He remains grateful for his survival, albeit with some lasting effects: "Luckily, I came out the other end, a little bit impaired and a bit shaken up, but I’m a pretty positive person, so I just see it as another challenge."

Earl's optimistic outlook shines through as he considers his journey: "That’s the way I look at it – it’s just another thing that life throws at you."

According to the Meningitis Research Foundation, bacterial meningitis is a serious and potentially fatal illness. Initial symptoms can be vague and include fever, vomiting, headaches, and generally feeling unwell.

Earl, an active individual who enjoys biking and hot yoga, had been relatively healthy aside from an E. coli diagnosis about ten years ago. However, after returning from a trip to Ibiza in October 2023, he noticed "mucus coming out (his) nose". He later discovered that this was fluid swelling around his brain and spinal cord.

Four days after arriving home, Earl collapsed in his kitchen but managed to return to bed. After this incident, his memory became hazy. An ambulance rushed him to Walsall Manor Hospital where he received life-saving treatment. "I woke up two weeks later after being on a ventilator and I thought I was in Mexico City," he recalled.

It took him several days to realise he was not actually there. Upon waking, Earl was extremely weak and unable to even lift a glass of water. His hospital stay was "surreal", filled with vivid dreams including attending a cricket tournament in Australia and driving an electric car in an action film. However, there were also moments when he feared he might not survive.

"I was having all these mad dreams, dream after dream after dream," he said. "There were times when I knew it was touch and go, even though I was in a mad dream state, and I remember all the doctors being around me and I thought, ‘I’m probably not going to wake up tomorrow’. I was resigning myself to the fact that I’m probably going to die."

Earl remained in hospital for one month in total, receiving what he described as "the best treatment you could ever imagine", making significant progress by walking again and regaining his strength.

On November 7, 2023, Earl conveyed his gratitude and advice through the band's website: "I would just want to say on a personal note to anybody who is 65 and over, to please get inoculated for meningitis..." He highlighted the unfortunate timing of his illness: "I was due to have my injection this coming January, so I was a bit unlucky, missing it by a few months."

With optimism, Earl assured his return with: "I will definitely be back as soon as humanly possible. Thanks for all the lovely messages and support from family, friends and fans. Big love."

After leaving the hospital, Earl continued his recovery journey at home with additional aids, like Zimmer frames for walking, but disclosed that his hearing had been affected: "While I was in the hospital, I woke up one morning and my hearing just changed, just on one side," he shared. Holding on to hope, he added, "I thought it would come back – it’s like when you’re in the plane and there’s the pressure in your ears and everything. I was waiting for that moment, but it never happened."

Earl later discovered that he had suffered damage to the nerves connecting his brain to his ear, resulting in impaired hearing and the need for hearing aids. His hearing is now "distorted", with sounds appearing high-pitched in his right ear and lower in his left. He lamented that music doesn't "sound the same now". "It’s brutal because, being a musician, it actually distorts sound and makes things sound different," he explained.

"I’m a bass player and I’ve got certain tunes – like Red Red Wine, one of our most famous tunes – you’ve got six or seven chords in Red Red Wine, and then one of the chords when I’m playing, it just sounds wrong, like it’s out of tune. I’m still on a journey trying to adjust and find different ways to try and get around the problem, but it’s really messed my hearing up."

Despite this, Earl, who has five children and 15 grandchildren, said he is "still on a learning curve", but has almost fully recovered and is back to playing music and touring as UB40 celebrates its 45th anniversary. The band is currently performing in Auckland, New Zealand, and Earl is hitting the gym whenever he can to improve his fitness.

Earl, who was told that full recovery from his condition could take up to two years, described himself as "lucky to be here" He shared his thoughts following World Meningitis Day on 5 October – the largest day of global collective action against meningitis, organised by the Meningitis Research Foundation. He's now advocating for vaccination, urging people to "protect yourself as best you can".

"One minute everything can be alright and the next minute you can be dead," Earl pointed out. "I’ve had near-death experiences – just riding bikes and mountain biking – but obviously I’m still here, I wasn’t meant to go."

He continued, "My hearing’s all over the place, but I’m still here and really lucky... and I’m just living every day as best I can."

Earl has decided to share his experience with the Meningitis Research Foundation following World Meningitis Day on 5 October. The organisation is calling on 2,030 individuals worldwide to recount their own stories for an initiative titled 'Meningitis in your words.' For further details, visit: meningitis.org/meningitis-in-your-words.

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