Brian James, the pioneering punk guitarist who co-founded The Damned, died Thursday at the age of 70.
The talented musician’s death was confirmed on his Facebook page.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
The cause of James’ death was not mentioned but the statement noted that he “passed peacefully.” His wife Minna, his son Charlie and his daughter-in-law Alicia were at his side at the time.
After parting ways with The Damned, James founded Tanz Der Youth, then went on to form The Lords of the New Church alongside his friend and fellow rocker, Stiv Bators. Together they released three well-received studio albums that included the hits “Open Your Eyes,” “Dance with Me” and “Method To My Madness.”
The Damned’s tour van parked outside a French supermarket, October 1977. L-R Brian James, the band’s tour manager, Laurie Vanian. (Photo by Erica Echenberg/Redferns) Getty Images
“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,” the statement said.
The touching social media tribute described James as an “incessantly creative and a musical tour de force” and hailed his over six-decade long career in music.
We’re shocked to hear that creator of @thedamned, our great chum Brian James has sadly gone. A lovely bloke that I feel so lucky to have met all those years ago and for some reason chose me to help in his quest for the music revolution that became known as punk. Cheers BJ!
pic.twitter.com/HuLdyMvI3z
— Captain Sensible (@CaptainSensible) March 7, 2025
In addition to his live shows and recorded music, James created music for film and television soundtracks and “worked with a plethora of punk and rock ‘n’ roll’s finest, from Iggy Pop to Wayne Kramer, Stewart Copeland to Cheetah Chrome,” the statement read.
The talented musician has long been considered one of the greats in punk music and is being remembered as the first to write a British punk single — his wildly successful 1976 hit “New Rose.”
James’ former The Damned bandmate, Captain Sensible (Raymond Burns), shared a heartfelt message Thursday on X.
The Damned rehearse with a new line up, France, October 1977. L-R Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Dave Berk, Brian James, Lu Edmonds (wearing a Stiff Records t-shirt). (Photo by Erica Echenberg/Redferns) Getty Images
“We’re shocked to hear that creator of @thedamned, our great chum Brian James has sadly gone. A lovely bloke that I feel so lucky to have met all those years ago and for some reason chose me to help in his quest for the music revolution that became known as punk. Cheers BJ!” he wrote. (RELATED: Famous Rock Guitarist John Sykes Dead At 65)
Fans and fellow artists continue to populate social media with loving messages as they pay tribute to James and the incredible legacy he has left behind.
