Founding The Damned guitarist Brian James has died at 70 years previous. James performed for The Damned between 1976 and 1978, once more between 1988 and 1991, after which once more briefly in 2022. James was accountable for virtually all of the music behind the primary two now-iconic The Damned data, Damned Damned Damned and Music For Pleasure. James additionally briefly performed in Iggy Pop‘s band, in addition to Lords of the New Church. We prolong our deepest condolences to James‘ family and friends.
The next is an announcement from James‘ social media: “It’s with nice unhappiness that we announce the demise of one of many true pioneers of music, guitarist, songwriter, and true gentleman, Brian James. Founding member of The Damned, author of the primary ever UK punk single, ‘New Rose’, Brian was the principal songwriter of the band’s debut album, Damned Damned Damned, which was launched in February 1977.
“Parting methods with the Damned following the discharge of their second album, the Nick Mason-produced Music for Pleasure, Brian created the short-lived Tanz Der Youth, earlier than he fashioned The Lords of the New Church along with his pal and fellow rocker Stiv Bators.
“In a wave of pleasure, headed by the dual powers of Brian James and Stiv Bators, three profitable studio albums adopted for The Lord of the New Church, spawning singles reminiscent of ‘Open Your Eyes’, ‘Dance with Me’, and ‘Technique to My Insanity’. All the time on the lookout for new challenges and eager to work with completely different musicians, through the years that adopted, Brian fashioned The Dripping Lips and guested on completely different data, whereas creating the Brian James Gang and dealing on his solo albums.
“Incessantly artistic and a musical tour de power, over a profession which spanned greater than six a long time, along with his music additionally gracing movie and tv soundtracks, along with The Damned and The Lords of the New Church, Brian labored with a plethora of punk and rock ‘n’ roll’s most interesting, from Iggy Pop to Wayne Kramer, Stewart Copeland to Cheetah Chrome. Most just lately, greater than 4 a long time after the discharge of the epoch-making ‘New Rose’, the unique members of The Damned reformed for a collection of very particular and emotional UK exhibits in 2022.
“Along with his spouse Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia by his facet, Brian handed peacefully on Thursday 6th March 2025.”
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