Brian James, the legendary co-founding guitarist of The Damned, passed away at the age of 70 on March 6, as confirmed by his family. His remarkable contributions to the music scene have left an indelible mark on the punk rock genre.

As the lead songwriter during the band’s formative years, he penned the iconic 1977 track “New Rose,” which is widely celebrated as the first British punk single ever recorded. This groundbreaking song was later covered by Guns N’ Roses in their 1993 album “The Spaghetti Incident?”, further cementing its place in rock history.

Brian departed from the band following the release of their second studio album, Music for Pleasure, in November 1977, a mere ten months after their debut LP, Damned Damned Damned. Despite this, he made a notable return to the group during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and once again in 2022, showcasing his enduring connection to the band.

His family expressed their sorrow in a heartfelt statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of the true pioneers of music. Brian was incessantly creative and a musical tour de force, with a career spanning over six decades. He collaborated with a plethora of punk and rock ’n’ roll legends, including Iggy Pop, Wayne Kramer, Stewart Copeland, and Cheetah Chrome.

Most recently, over four decades after the groundbreaking release of ‘New Rose,’ the original members of The Damned reunited for a series of deeply emotional and special shows in the UK in 2022. Surrounded by his wife Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia, Brian passed away peacefully, leaving behind a profound legacy.

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After his time with The Damned, Brian formed the band Tanz Der Youth, later collaborating with American vocalist Stiv Bators to establish the Lords of the New Church, which released five critically acclaimed albums throughout the early 1980s. In addition, he released five solo albums from 1990 to 2015, showcasing his versatility as an artist and musician.

In a 2023 interview with In Your Eyes, Brian reflected on his career, stating, “I consider myself fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time, surrounded by people who shared a similar attitude. It’s gratifying that our music still resonates four decades later, and I am grateful I wasn’t stuck with something I dislike.”

He further expressed his love for collaboration, noting, “Working with different musicians has always been enjoyable for me. The Damned was a fantastic experience, filled with passion and attitude.”

Brian also remarked, “It’s remarkable and wonderful that musicians and artists continue to find inspiration from a handful of trouble-makers with immense attitude over the past 40 years. That is certainly worth celebrating!”

Captain Sensible Shares Fond Memories of Brian James’ Impact on The Damned

Captain Sensible, a co-founding bassist of The Damned who took over Brian’s guitar role, paid tribute, stating, “The riffmeister, Brian has gone… While it is truly heartbreaking that our friend has been taken from us, I prefer to celebrate the incredible life he lived. What a life Brian James had!”

He reminisced about how he never imagined switching from guitar to bass for anyone else until he met Brian. “BJ had an electrifying technique and an arsenal of adrenaline-fueled songs ready to unleash,” he explained, adding, “I feel incredibly lucky that he chose me because I had no backup plan if my music career didn’t pan out.”

Captain Sensible continued, “What an absolute gentleman Brian was. Despite having to occasionally endure some of my less-than-stellar behavior, he never lost his temper with me. Whenever we crossed paths over the years, we would share a drink and have a great laugh.”

He described their recent reunion as “magical in every way—reconnecting with an old friend and successfully recreating our ’76 garage punk sound right from the first chord in rehearsals. We were all eager to do it again, but sadly, that will never happen now.”

In honor of Brian, he confirmed that the band’s performance in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 7 would be dedicated to James and his influential music, emphasizing that “without him, The Damned would never have existed.”

The Damned, “New Rose”