The founding guitarist of The Damned, Brian James, has passed away aged 70. The news was announced to fans via Jones’ official Facebook account on Thursday night (March 6).
The official post gave a heartfelt overview of the guitarist’s musical legacy, branding James as one of the “true pioneers of music” and a “true gentleman”. Although, no cause of death has yet been released, it was noted that James passed away peacefully alongside his wife, son and daughter-in-law.
The punk icon co-founded The Damned in 1976 with Dave Vanian as vocalist, Raymond ‘Captain Sensible’ Burns as bassist and Christopher ‘Rat Scabies’ Millar as drummer. Despite only remaining in Damned’s lineup for two album cycles, James is credited for creating the UK’s first punk single, the group’s debut ‘New Rose’. Layered with punchy instrumentation and vibrant oration, it became renowned for exhibiting characteristics that would soon become quintessential to the UK punk scene. Prior to his exit from the band, the guitarist had a pivotal role in writing Damned’s debut album ‘Damned Damned Damned’ and sophomore album ‘Music For Pleasure’.
After joining Iggy Pop’s touring band in 1979, the punk-rock guitarist released two solo singles ‘Ain’t That A Shame’ and ‘Why, Why, Why?’, both of which feature The Police’s Stewart Copeland on drums.
In 1981, he would go on to form British-American punk supergroup The Lords of the New Church, with a line-up of four musicians from classic 1970s punk bands. With James performing alongside Stiv Bators (of the Dead Boys), Dave Tregunna (of Sham 69) and Nick Turner (of the Barracudas), the band would produce three albums before their disbandment in 1989, which would result in various line-up changes throughout the years.
Despite leaving Damned early on, James would continue to pay tribute to the group throughout his career. In 2013, he re-recorded nine of the group’s tracks for his third solo album ‘Damned If I Do’ and would later reunite with Vanian, Sensible and Scabies in October 2022 for a limited five-show UK Tour.
Since his death, tributes have poured in online from fans and those who personally knew Brian. Captain Sensible of Damned wrote a lengthy Facebook post reminiscing on the pair’s friendship and the beginning of Damned. Sensible wrote: “The riffmeister, Brian has gone – that final act that happens to us all, for most is a sad and miserable affair but while it’s truly awful our mate has been taken, I prefer to celebrate the life… and WHAT A LIFE Brian James had”.
While notifying fans of upcoming Damned shows, Sensible revealed they will “dedicate the set (and a few of his songs) to Brian James – without whom the Damned would not ever have happened”.
The tributes to James come when Damned are set to perform in Sao Paulo, Brazil tonight (7 March) before completing more South American shows of their tour.
