Brian James, The Damned’s founding guitarist, dies at 70

Brian James, founding guitarist in The Damned, died on Thursday, just a few weeks after his 70th birthday. The news was posted 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.

Founding member of The Damned and writer of the first-ever UK punk single, New Rose, Brian was the principal songwriter of the band’s debut album, Damned Damned Damned, 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 forming 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 Lords 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, Brian formed The Dripping Lips, guested on various records, created the Brian James Gang, and worked on his solo albums.

Incessantly creative and a musical tour de force, Brian’s career 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, he 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 reunited 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, March 6, 2025.

Brian left The Damned in 1977, and went on to form Lords of the New Church with Stiv Bators, released solo records, and played in other bands, including Tanz Der Youth, The Dripping Lips and more. In 2022, James reunited with Rat Scabies, Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible for an original lineup of The Damned UK tour.

Rest easy, Brian.