Brian James, the founding guitarist of The Damned and the architect behind the first-ever UK punk single, has died aged 70.
His death was confirmed via his official Facebook page on March 6. It stated he passed “peacefully” with family by his side.
James was the engine behind The Damned’s early days, forming the band in 1976 with Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies. Their debut single, ‘New Rose’, landed in October that year, beating the Sex Pistols and The Clash to the punch. Their debut album, ‘Damned Damned Damned’, followed in early 1977, bringing chaos and attitude in equal measure. By the time the band dropped their second album, ‘Music For Pleasure’, James was already halfway out the door.
Post-Damned, James never sat still. He kicked off Tanz Der Youth, played in Iggy Pop’s live band, and dropped solo singles with The Police’s Stewart Copeland on drums. In the ‘80s, he teamed up with Stiv Bators to form The Lords of the New Church. It was a dark, glam-soaked take on post-punk that churned out three albums before imploding in 1989.
James kept it moving through the decades after. From The Dripping Lips in the ‘90s to the punk supergroup Mad for the Racket. In 2013, he re-recorded nine Damned songs for his third solo album, ‘Damned If I Do’, and played them live with Rat Scabies. His final major return came in 2022, when he reunited with The Damned’s original lineup for a long-awaited UK tour.
Tributes have been rolling in from across the punk world. Captain Sensible called him “the creator of The Damned” and a close mate, adding that The Damned’s show in São Paulo will be dedicated to him. Dave Treganna called him “the most talented and original guitarist and songwriter” he’d ever worked with.
Brian James was one of the tradesman of punk. He laid the foundations for what became a movement. The effects of which can still be felt today. Without him, The Damned—and UK punk as a whole—might never have happened.
