Legendary punk rock guitarist Brian James has tragically passed away aged 70.22:38, 06 Mar 2025Updated 23:07, 06 Mar 2025English punk rock guitarist Brian James has died, aged 70The iconic punk rock guitarist Brian James has tragically died aged 70.James was a founding member of The Damned, as well as The Lords of the New Church, and will be remembered as a “pioneer and true gentleman.” He wrote almost all the material on The Damned’s first two albums, Damned Damned Damned and Music for Pleasure, before leaving the group in 1977.He leaves behind his wife Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia.A statement posted on his Facebook account read: “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, 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.James (far right) with his band Lords of the New Church”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 he formed 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 Lord 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, 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 iconic musician played five Damed shows in the UK in 2022″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.Article continues below”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.”With his wife Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia by his side, Brian passed peacefully on Thursday 6th March 2025.”For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. More