Photo: COMBO Board Member William R. Roberts & Johna Hazelton || Story by August Brown, LA Times || Brian James, the founding guitarist for the visionary and influential U.K. punk band The Damned, has died. He was 70. James’ death on March 6 was confirmed on his official Facebook page, though no cause was listed. “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,” the statement read.
The Damned have an exceptionally important place in rock history, releasing “New Rose,” arguably the first-ever punk single in the U.K., in 1976. The Damned also were the first band of their scene to release a studio album (1977’s “Damned Damned Damned”) and to tour the United States.
The London-born James began his music career in the proto-punk band London SS, which featured future members of the Clash and Generation X. He soon met another local band, Masters of the Backside, which featured future Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde, vocalist Dave Vanian, bassist Captain Sensible and drummer Rat Scabies. Minus Hynde, James formed The Damned with the other three members in 1976. The band made its debut that year, and opened for the Sex Pistols at 100 Club, a notorious London venue that helped codify the scene.
Five weeks before the Sex Pistols released “Anarchy in the U.K.,” the most famous early punk single, the Damned released “New Rose.” The fast and frenetic single penned by James stripped down and supercharged the British rock of the era, smeared it with black eyeliner and lipstick, and announced a new sound and subculture to the world.
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Go here to read more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/brian-james-founding-guitarist-of-punk-s-the-damned-dead-at-70/
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-03-07/brian-james-founding-guitarist-of-punks-the-damned-dead-at-70
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OTHER NOTABLE MUSICIANS’ DEATHS
So sad to hear of the passing of former COMBO Board member William “Robby” Roberts. He was a joy to work with and added greatly to our organization. Rest in Paradise, Robby. You will be missed by so many, especially in the music community. Robby served on the COMBO Board 2014-2015.
Joshua D’Estrada on Fb, 3/10/25: William “Robby” Roberts was a great friend and was full of life and love. He brought light to so many lives, and he will be greatly missed. I know he is with the angels. We will see you on the other side, brother.
https://www.facebook.com/william.r.roberts.7
Photo: William Robby Roberts with Johna Hazelton |
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1121348434565381&set=t.100001117732854&type=3
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Warning Signs of Suicide – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or if you want to discuss, call the old numbers at 800-273-TALK or 800-273-8255 for English and 888-628-9454 for Spanish. Learn the signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide.
If you want to know more about any of the musicians we lost, please check them out at http://www.wikipedia.com
March 2025
11: Cocoa Tea, 65, Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter, cardiac arrest; Bob Rivers, 68, American Hall of Fame radio personality (KISW, KJR) and parody musician (Twisted Christmas), esophageal cancer.
10: Wheesung, 43, South Korean singer, cardiac arrest.
9: Renata Kodadová, 83, Czech harpist (Czech Philharmonic) and academic; Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, 76, Indian classical musician and composer.
8: Bill Ashton, 88, British jazz musician and composer; Beau Dozier, 45, American songwriter and record producer; Donald Hazelwood, 95, Australian violinist; Harbans Jandu, Indian lyricist; Naima Samih, 71, Moroccan singer.
7: Danny Cox, 81, American singer and songwriter; D’Wayne Wiggins, 64, American musician (Tony! Toni! Toné!) and songwriter (“Feels Good”), bladder cancer.
6: Brian James, 70, English punk rock guitarist (The Damned, The Lords of the New Church) and songwriter (“New Rose”).
5: Edesio Alejandro, 66, Cuban singer, guitarist and composer (Clandestinos, Hello Hemingway), cancer; Randy Brown, 72, American R&B singer; DJ Funk, 53, American musician and producer, cancer; Herry Irama, 68, Indonesian singer and actor; Pavel Staněk, 97, Czech composer and conductor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2025
Photo: Robby Roberts with Johna Hazelton | From Robby’s Facebook page