The Dammed Brian James Laid To Rest at Sea: “He Was a True Original in Life”

During the 1970s, Brian James first explored the idea of a career on the stage when he formed the band Bastard. That taste of the spotlight never left James as he went on to form the Damned and the Lords of the New Church. Spending several decades in the music industry, the musician went far beyond the guitar as he helped write albums like Music for Pleasure and Damned Damned Damned. Sadly, on March 6th, James passed away at 74 years old. And wanting to honor his memory, his family recently laid him to rest by burying him at sea. 

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On April 28th, the musician’s wife, Minna, his son Charlie, and several of his closest friends joined together to honor the legacy of James. Besides his lasting imprint on music, the group focused on his last wish before he passed. Speaking to The Sun, Minna said, “It was a beautiful day and the sea was calm. We’ve been together since I was 18, so it was very emotional.” She added, “A burial at sea is pretty unusual, but it was in his will so we had to do it.”

Brian James Left Imprint On More Than Just Music

Spending a few hours on the sea, the group took their time with the ceremony. Even before heading out, Minna held a small service at a nearby church and even her home in Brighton. A source offered a glimpse into the touching moment, revealing, “Brian now sleeps with the fishes, which is what he wished for before he died. He was a true original in life and has carried that on in death. The spirit of punk never left him and he was adamant he wanted his final resting place to be at sea. A few loved ones went out on the boat for around three hours and watched as his coffin was dropped into the drink.’’

Sharing a touching tribute to James on Facebook, the musician’s page showcased a picture of the songwriter, with the caption reading, “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.”

Loved by fans and his family, James ended his time on the Earth surrounded by those who cherished every moment with him. The post concluded, “With his wife Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia by his side, Brian passed peacefully.”

(Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)