Deacon Blue legend dies following 'short struggle with cancer'
Deacon Blue's James Prime has sadly passed away at the age of 64 after a "short struggle with cancer". The founding member and keyboard maestro of the band died after a short fight with the illness.
This comes in the wake of his hospital admission last week, which led to him bowing out of the group's imminent tour. The band conveyed their sorrow on social media, stating: "We announce with great sadness that our brother, James Prime, passed away this morning after a short struggle with cancer."
The band have expressed their heartfelt thanks for the flood of well-wishes from fans, saying: "Thank you so much for the messages of support that you shared over the last two weeks, they meant so much to Jim, his family and us."
Just a week ago, a report on James' condition described it as "serious". On X, the band communicated: "Unfortunately he is seriously ill and undergoing care in hospital. We would like you to join us in wishing him well and to share your love with him."
With James' blessing, Deacon Blue – also comprising Ricky Ross, Lorraine McIntosh, Dougie Vipond, Gregor Philp, Lewis Gordon, and Tom Gordon – have confirmed they will forge ahead with their planned tour, reports the Express.
Their message included: "We spoke to Jim yesterday about Deacon Blue's plans for the rest of the year, and he encouraged us to continue with love in our hearts and with his full blessing that the shows go ahead, even if it means replacing the irreplaceable James Miller Prime for the time being."
The band, alongside James' relatives, has paid tribute to the healthcare professionals looking after him, sharing their appreciation with the words: "Together with Jim's family, we want to thank all the nurses, doctors and ICU staff for their ongoing care, professionalism and compassion."
James has been an integral part of Deacon Blue since it first graced the music scene in the 1980s, contributing to smash hits like Dignity, Chocolate Girl, and Real Gone Kid.
Deacon Blue's lineup has evolved over time, with former members such as Graeme Kelling, Ewen Vernal, Mick Slaven, Scott Fraser, Taj Wyzgowski, Ged Grimes, and Chris Henderson moving in and out of the band.
Following a hiatus in 1994, the members of Deacon Blue reunited in 1999 and have continued to create music together up to the present day.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm the Irish artist who created world's most famous image but refused cash – I lost my home but my reason mattered more
HE created the iconic image that's adorned the walls of millions of homes across the globe - but passed up the opportunity to make hundreds of thousands in royalty cash. And Dublin artist 10 Artist Jim Fitzpatrick created the iconic poster of Che Guevara Credit: Reuters 10 Jim met Guevara by chance in Co Clare during the 60s Credit: Alamy 10 Jim created the famous image of Che in 1968 Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick 10 Jim also did various artwork for Thin Lizzy which An Post made into stamps He told The Irish Sun: "I never sought royalties for the The artist, who is also famous for his work designing Explaining the move to leave the potential cash unclaimed, he said: "I never wanted to accumulate money, all I wanted was to put a roof over my head." The Skerries native, who battled He told us: "I never thought I'd still be on the planet at this age. It's way beyond my expectations. "I had cancer in 2017, but survived that, and I am still walking around even after a hip replacement. "Getting to 81 means I am getting to do all the things I wanted to do and that's sending me down all sorts of highways and byways." And Jim's focus remains keenly on revolutionary figures - but this time just closer to home. He continued: "I was working on a project about the women of 1916 and now I am switching over onto a series about the rebels of 1798." Aside from creating stunning album sleeves for the likes of Thin Lizzy, Some of the notable album covers he's produced over the years include Sinead O'Connor's Faith And Courage and Thin Lizzy's Black Rose: A Rock Legend - which has been a tattoo choice for celebs such as Jim also produced a striking portrait of But despite commissions from around the world throughout his long career, Jim lost his house to vulture funds a few years ago, and now owns an apartment where he creates his art. The talented craftsman missed out on a fortune by refusing to copyright or charge for his most famous work - arguably the world's most recognisable image. The renowned piece on Marxist revolutionary and guerrilla leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara was based on a photograph by Alberto Diaz Gutierrez - known as Korda - in German magazine Stern in 1967. 10 Jim's artwork of Che Guevara was based on a photograph by Alberto Diaz Gutierrez Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 10 One of Jim's latest pieces is of 1798 Irish Rebellion hero John Kelly Credit: Jim Fitzpatrickv 10 The artwork for Thin Lizzy's album Black Rose: A Rock Legend Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick While the image was later reproduced on t-shirts, cups, posters and other merchandise worldwide, Jim did not assert his copyright until 2010, more than four decades after its creation. In 2013, Jim attempted to hand over the rights to the picture to the Cuban people to be administered by the Guevara family. However, because Che's family never signed and ratified the documents, the copyright on the picture remains with Jim. He said: "It's not valid until they sign those papers, but the family don't want to be dragged into the courts for every copyright violation, and I don't want to spend my time in the courts either. 'ACT OF SOLIDARITY' " "I've been told I need to be patient. All I want to know is that when I pop my clogs, that piece of paper exists and I have done the right thing. I never wanted to accumulate money, all I wanted was to put a roof over my head." Jim created his two-tone masterpiece by making a line drop-out of Korda's photograph. He then submitted it to Dublin's Scene to accompany a feature about the revolutionary's move from Cuba to Shortly after, Guevera was captured and killed by the Bolivian army. The following year, when Fitzpatrick showed his stark poster at the Viva Che exhibition in 'DEMAND WAS INSANE' Jim explained: "The demand was insane. It went off like a rocket. I just kept supplying, supplying, supplying. "I couldn't afford to keep getting it photographed, which is why I had to make all these variations." Pop artist Despite his image gaining popularity, Fitzpatrick didn't pocket a penny from its global success due to his copyright stance. 10 Jim has done a collection of works on Irish revolutionaries, including James Connolly Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick 10 Jim has previously said he thinks Johnny The Fox is the best Thin Lizzy album cover he produced Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick 10 A close-up section of Jim's original painting titled Oisin And Niamh Tir Na Nog Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick He explained: "I never sought royalties for the Che image because I was absolutely enraged by the manner of his death. "He was shot in the neck and left to drown in his own blood, because they didn't want to harm his face. "The Bolivians wanted his face intact so they could prove it was him. I was trying to get people to notice this man had been murdered." "I never thought I'd still be on the planet at this age. It's way beyond my expectations." Jim Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick said he took the murder personally because he met the doomed CHAT WITH CHE Jim said: "What happened was Che was flying back from "He ended up staying the night in Ireland and walked into the pub I was working in. I recognised him straight away. "I remember him saying his father's grandmother, Isabel Lynch, was from "He was very proud of the fact that the Irish were the first to begin to bring down the AN IRISH ED ON HIS SHOULDERS THIN Lizzy album designer Jim Fitzpatrick has said that Ed, 34, came under attack on However, Celtic artist Jim has defended the Shape Of You hitmaker. He told The Irish Sun: "Yes, Ed Sheeran is entitled to say his father's family are Irish. Anybody with Irish blood is entitled to be Irish, it's that simple. "My friend Phil was born in West Bromwich, outside "Like Phil, Ed Sheeran is an amazing, talented songwriter, and I'd be very proud to add him to the list of Irish diaspora. "President Jim claims he is delighted that we are living in a time where Ed can boast of his Irishness. He said: "I knew "Once it was viewed in England as a sign of inferiority and then during The Troubles people clammed up about Irish pride and heritage, but now The Troubles are over, groups like "I only wish Phil was around to see this because he was proudly Irish at a time when it was wiser to keep your mouth shut about your Irishness in Britain. "But Phil never tried to hide or disguise it. He strutted around England being an Irish man." The creative talent added: 'When Che was murdered, the first thing his father said was, 'Che died like a true Irish revolutionary'. That kind of stuff had a lot of resonance with me." Jim recently donated a print of 1916 hero Elizabeth O'Farrell to The Moore Street Preservation Trust, which is And, like most of Jim's work, the limited edition signed print quickly sold out. This Friday, Jim is donating another new work, a painting of 1798 Irish Rebellion icon John Kelly - who was immortalised in the Dubliners' song Kelly, The Boy From Kilanne - to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy,
RTÉ News
11 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Deacon Blue keyboard player James Prime dies after short battle with cancer
Deacon Blue keyboardist James "Jim" Prime has died aged 64 after a short battle with cancer. The Scottish pop-rock band announced the news shortly after Prime, from Kilmarnock, died on Thursday morning. They wrote on social media: "Dear friends, We announce with great sadness that our brother James Prime passed away this morning after a short struggle with cancer. "Thank you so much for the messages of support that you shared over the last two weeks, they meant so much to Jim, his family & us. With love, DBx." Founded in 1985, Deacon Blue consist of Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh on vocals, Dougie Vipond on drums, Gregor Philp on guitar, and Lewis Gordon on bass. The group have released 11 studio albums to date, as well as two live albums, eight compilation albums, and an album that features both studio and compilation elements. They are best known for their hit single Dignity, which propelled them to success in their early years. Earlier this month, the band said Prime, who was also a lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, was seriously ill. They wrote on social media on June 11: "We wanted to share some news with you about our brother, Jim. "Unfortunately, he is seriously ill and undergoing care in hospital. We would like you to join us in wishing him well and to share your love with him. "We spoke to Jim yesterday about Deacon Blue's plans for the rest of the year, and he encouraged us to continue with love in our hearts and with his full blessing that the shows go ahead, even if it means replacing the irreplaceable James Miller Prime for the time being. "Together with Jim's family, we want to thank all the nurses, doctors and ICU staff for their ongoing care, professionalism and compassion."
Irish Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Deacon Blue legend dies following 'short struggle with cancer'
Deacon Blue's James Prime has sadly passed away at the age of 64 after a "short struggle with cancer". The founding member and keyboard maestro of the band died after a short fight with the illness. This comes in the wake of his hospital admission last week, which led to him bowing out of the group's imminent tour. The band conveyed their sorrow on social media, stating: "We announce with great sadness that our brother, James Prime, passed away this morning after a short struggle with cancer." The band have expressed their heartfelt thanks for the flood of well-wishes from fans, saying: "Thank you so much for the messages of support that you shared over the last two weeks, they meant so much to Jim, his family and us." Just a week ago, a report on James' condition described it as "serious". On X, the band communicated: "Unfortunately he is seriously ill and undergoing care in hospital. We would like you to join us in wishing him well and to share your love with him." With James' blessing, Deacon Blue – also comprising Ricky Ross, Lorraine McIntosh, Dougie Vipond, Gregor Philp, Lewis Gordon, and Tom Gordon – have confirmed they will forge ahead with their planned tour, reports the Express. Their message included: "We spoke to Jim yesterday about Deacon Blue's plans for the rest of the year, and he encouraged us to continue with love in our hearts and with his full blessing that the shows go ahead, even if it means replacing the irreplaceable James Miller Prime for the time being." The band, alongside James' relatives, has paid tribute to the healthcare professionals looking after him, sharing their appreciation with the words: "Together with Jim's family, we want to thank all the nurses, doctors and ICU staff for their ongoing care, professionalism and compassion." James has been an integral part of Deacon Blue since it first graced the music scene in the 1980s, contributing to smash hits like Dignity, Chocolate Girl, and Real Gone Kid. Deacon Blue's lineup has evolved over time, with former members such as Graeme Kelling, Ewen Vernal, Mick Slaven, Scott Fraser, Taj Wyzgowski, Ged Grimes, and Chris Henderson moving in and out of the band. Following a hiatus in 1994, the members of Deacon Blue reunited in 1999 and have continued to create music together up to the present day.
