Brian James, the guitarist who was a founding member of iconic UK punk band The Damned, has died on the age of 70.
His passing was confirmed in an announcement posted on his Fb web page as we speak, March 6.
James wrote many of the materials for, and appeared on, the primary two albums by the Damned – Damned Damned Damned and Music for Pleasure, each launched in 1977. Later that yr, James left the band however returned for a spell within the Nineteen Eighties and once more in 2022.
The assertion confirming his loss of life reads: “It’s with nice unhappiness that we announce the loss of life 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 shaped 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 similar to Open Your Eyes, Dance with Me, and Methodology to My Insanity.
“All the time in search of new challenges and eager to work with totally different musicians, over time that adopted, Brian shaped The Dripping Lips and guested on totally different data, whereas creating the Brian James Gang and dealing on his solo albums.
“Incessantly inventive 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 best, from Iggy Pop to Wayne Kramer, Stewart Copeland to Cheetah Chrome.
“Most not too long ago, greater than 4 a long time after the discharge of the epoch-making New Rose, the unique members of The Damned reformed for a sequence of very particular and emotional UK reveals in 2022.
“Together with his spouse Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia by his facet, Brian handed peacefully on Thursday sixth March 2025.”
No explanation for loss of life has been confirmed.
