Brian James: The author of the first UK-Punk single is dead

Brian James (1955-2025), founding member and guitarist of the British punk legend The Damned (since 1976), died at the age of 70. “I can confirm that Brian left us peacefully yesterday in the presence of his family” ,. The musician was not only a co-founder of the influential band, but also wrote the first British punk single “New Rose” and significantly shaped the debut album “Damned Damned” from 1977.

“He was” one of the real pioneers of music, guitarist, songwriter and a real gentleman “. “With his wife Minna, son Charlie and daughter -in -law Alicia at his side, Brian died peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2025.”

Raymond “Captain Sensible” Burns (70), bass player and long -time band member,: “The reef master Brian went. Although it is really terrible that our friend was taken, I would rather celebrate life … and what a life of Brian James!”

Burns also emphasized James’ gracious character: “And when I look back, I have to say what an absolute gentleman Brian … despite occasional pretty terrible behavior on my part, he never lost my mastery – and whenever we met in the following decades, we took a drink and laughed damn well.”

The Damned were one of the pinting movement in the UK. They supported the sex pistols on their notorious “Anarchy Tour” by Great Britain and later toured T. Rex on Marc Bolan’s last tour before his death.

After the second album “Music for Pleasure”, James left the band and was part of several music projects, including the short -lived formation dance of the Youth and The Lords of the New Church, which he founded with the American singer Stiv Bators and drummer Nick Turner. In the following years he worked with The Dripping Lips, founded the Brian James Gang and published solo albums.

In 2020, James and the original Damned members Dave Vanian, Christopher “Rat Scabies” Millar and Burns announced that they would come back together more than four decades after the band was founded. In 2022 James was on stage with the group.

“When BJ, Council, DV and I came back together for the original Damned shows, it was magical in many ways … that we were friends again, but also how we managed to revive our garage punk sound from ’76 from the first chord,” recalled Burns. “We were all doing it again … but unfortunately that will never happen again.”

According to Burns, the band wants to pay tribute in São Paulo, Brazil, their late colleague at the concert on Saturday (March 8th): “The Damned will (and some of his songs) Brian James will never have existed – without the Damnedals.”