Obituary
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of the true pioneers of music, guitarist,
songwriter, and true gentleman, Brian James.
Founding member of The Damned, writer of the first ever UK punk single, New Rose, Brian was the
principal songwriter of the band’s debut album, Damned Damned Damned, which was released in
February 1977. Parting ways with the Damned following the release of their second album, the Nick
Mason-produced Music for Pleasure, Brian created the short-lived Tanz Der Youth, before he formed
The Lords of the New Church with his friend and fellow rocker Stiv Bators.
In a wave of excitement, headed by the twin powers of Brian James and Stiv Bators, three successful
studio albums followed for The Lord of the New Church, spawning singles such as Open Your Eyes,
Dance with Me, and Method to My Madness. Always looking for new challenges and keen to work
with different musicians, over the years that followed, Brian formed The Dripping Lips and guested
on different records, while creating the Brian James Gang and working on his solo albums.
Incessantly creative and a musical tour de force, over a career which spanned more than six
decades, with his music also gracing film and television soundtracks, in addition to The Damned and
The Lords of the New Church, Brian worked with a plethora of punk and rock ‘n’ roll’s finest, from
Iggy Pop to Wayne Kramer, Stewart Copeland to Cheetah Chrome. Most recently, more than four
decades after the release of the epoch-making New Rose, the original members of The Damned
reformed for a series of very special and emotional UK shows in 2022.
With his wife Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia by his side, Brian passed peacefully on
Thursday 6th March 2025.”
Was a member of the London SS which spawned a few other bands before forming The Damned. Seen them several times, but never did get to see Brian James in the lineup.
I caught the Damned reunion tour, as it rattled into Brum. He was clearly frail and probably other than match fit, the show held by his compadres. But he did it and was there, that perhaps the point. As someone 68 tomorrow, 70 seems scarily too soon.
I saw The Damned in 1977 and they completely blew me away. Bought their album Damned, Damned, Damned and thought it was fantastic. They weren’t the same when Brian left, I still think New Rose is one of the greatest singles ever. RIP Brian.
Spooky coincidence… one of the bands that informed the sound and intent of Brian James, Tony James, and Mick Jones in the London SS, and subsequently The Damned, was the New York Dolls
I think he was the only member of the band who had heard the Stooges and MC5. The Damned covered 1969 (I think). His knowledge of those 2 bands must actually have been important on the punk scene.
Their cover of 1970 (under the title I Feel Alright) plus the Pistols doing No Fun boosted The Stooges profile, and Bowie’s patronage of Iggy can’t have hurt either.
I bought those first four albums. I think they’re all great – even the not so well liked Music for Pleasure. Sorry to hear of the death of a founding member, a sad reminder of how long ago it all was.