Brian James, founding guitarist and songwriter of seminal British punk group The Damned who later played in The Lords of the New Church, died March 6 at 70.

Brian James, who has died aged 70, was co-founder, lead guitarist and principal songwriter in the early days of the Damned, who had the distinction of releasing the UK’s first homegrown punk record, New Rose – which appeared a few weeks after (I’m) Stranded by the Saints,

Brian James penned "New Rose," the first U.K. punk single, and helped kick off both hardcore and goth subcultures.

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Brian James, founding guitarist of the legendary British punk band The Damned, has died. He was 70. His passing was confirmed in a statement shared to his official Facebook page on March 6, though a cause of death was not disclosed.

LEGENDARY punk rock guitarist Brian James who founded The Damned has sadly died aged 70. The iconic musician, who played with icons including Iggy Pop and Black Sabbath during his stellar career,

Brian James, the influential British punk rock guitarist who co-founded The Damned, passed away on March 6, 2025, at the age of 70.

Punk legend Brian James, a founding member of The Damned and also part of supergroup The Lords of the New Church, has died at age 70