Helping form bands like the Damned and Lords of the New Church, Brian James never stopped showcasing his love for music. Having spent over six decades in the music industry, the musician received the chance to tour alongside bands like Black Sabbath and even Iggy Pop. James went on to record singles like “Ain’t That a Shame.” During the early years with the Damned, he also wrote the famed track “New Rose.” Always exploring different avenues in his career, on March 6th, James sadly passed away at 70 years old.
Sharing the news of his passing, the musician’s family posted a picture of James on Facebook with a glimpse into his life and career in music. The caption read, “GOODBYE TO A PIONEER & TRUE GENTLEMAN 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.”
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With his passion knowing no bounds, the family added, “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.”
Brian James Loved To Inspire Others
Leaving his mark throughout each decade, the family praised James for his ongoing passion for music. “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. Most recently, more than four decades after the release of the epoch-making New Rose, the original members of The Damned reformed for a series of very special and emotional UK shows in 2022.”
Once speaking with In Your Eyes back in 2023, James seemed shocked by the success that followed him on and off the stage. “I count myself lucky to have been in the right place at the right time in the company of people with a similar attitude. It’s lucky it sounds great and stands up four decades later, and I ain’t been stuck with something that sounds sh**ty and I hate.”
Thrilled about his contributions and legacy in music, James concluded, “It’s a weird and wonderful thing that musicians and artists in general should feel inspired over the last 40 years by a handful of trouble-makers with an abundance of attitude. That’s worth celebrating!”
(Photo by Erica Echenberg/Redferns)