Latest news with #BrianJames
Miami Herald
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Epic Rocker Granted Dying Wish, Buried at Sea
A legendary rocker of the British punk scene was granted his dying wish when his loved ones buried him at sea. Brian James, the punk rock guitarist who founded British group The Damned, died on March 6 at the age of 70. On April 28, his friends and family gathered to lay him to rest on the ocean floor off the coast of East Sussex, England, according to The UK Sun. The burial was held after a small church service in Brighton. James' widow, Minna, told The Sun this week about the burial and said, "It was a beautiful day and the sea was calm. We've been together since I was 18, so it was very emotional. A burial at sea is pretty unusual, but it was in his will, so we had to do it." Another unnamed source told The Sun, "Brian now sleeps with the fishes, which is what he wished for before he died. He was a true original in life and has carried that on in death. "The spirit of punk never left him, and he was adamant he wanted his final resting place to be at sea. A few loved ones went out on the boat for around three hours and watched as his coffin was dropped into the drink." According to The Sun, a local funeral home had to apply for a special permit from the Marine Management Organisation in order to perform the burial at sea. The family announced James' death on his Facebook page back in March, writing, "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." He was survived by Minna and his son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia. James is often credited with writing the "first ever UK punk single," the 1976 song "New Rose," which music critic Dave Thompson called "rightly revered as one of the greatest songs to emerge from 1970s Britain." After his tenure with The Damned from 1976 to 1978, James went on to co-found the British-American punk group The Lords of the New Church, which was together throughout the 1980s and then reunited several times since the year 2000. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Metro
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
70s rock icon granted his dying wish to be buried at sea
Brian James of The Damned has been buried at sea (Picture: Erica Echenberg/Redferns) Brian James, founding member of the iconic British band The Damned, has reportedly been granted his dying wish of being buried at sea. James passed away on March 6 at the age of 70. The news was announced in a post on his Facebook page, immediately receiving an outpouring of support from fans in the comments. A cause of death has not been revealed, although he died 'peacefully' with his family by his side, according to the post. The post 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.' According to The Sun, James was buried last week on the sea floor off the coast of Newhaven, East Sussex, England, in accordance with his final wishes. The Damned was comprised of Captain Sensible, Brian James, and Rat Scabies (Picture: Elisa Leonelli/REX/Shutterstock) James wrote many of the group's most iconic songs (Picture: Ian Dickson/REX/Shutterstock) His widow Minna, son, Charlie, and around 10 of his closest friends were in attendance at the unorthodox funeral ceremony. Minna told the publication: 'It was a beautiful day and the sea was calm. We've been together since I was 18, so it was very emotional. A burial at sea is pretty unusual, but it was in his will so we had to do it.' Another source told The Sun: 'Brian now sleeps with the fishes, which is what he wished for before he died. He was a true original in life and has carried that on in death. 'The spirit of punk never left him and he was adamant he wanted his final resting place to be at sea. A few loved ones went out on the boat for around three hours and watched as his coffin was dropped into the drink.' The initial 'burial' ceremony, which took place on a boat, was followed by an additional gathering at a church near James' home in Brighton. James' widow says one of his final wishes was to be buried at sea (Picture: Andre Csillag/REX/Shutterstock) James had a long and impressive career that included writing the iconic song New Rose. On 22 October 1977, five weeks before the release of the Sex Pistols' Anarchy in the U.K., Stiff Records released the Damned's first single New Rose, making it the first-ever punk single in the UK. Released in February 1977, James was also the primary creative force behind the band's debut album, Damned Damned Damned. The Damned was founded in 1976 by lead vocalist Dave Vanian, guitarist Brian James, bassist (and later guitarist) Captain Sensible, and drummer Rat Scabies. Considered pioneers of the genre, nine of the band's singles charted on the UK Singles Chart Top 40. With a career that closely mirrored the Sex Pistols (they even planned to audition Sid Vicious as lead vocalist) The Damned played their first show on 6 July 1976, supporting the Sex Pistols at the 100 Club. The band was one of the biggest trailblazers of UK punk (Picture: by Jorgen Angel/Redferns) The guitarist also helmed other bands like The Dripping Lips and the Brian James Gang (Picture: PA) After the band's second album, James left the band to form the group Tanz Der Youth, which only lasted a short time before he founded The Lords of the New Church with Stiv Bators. The band was known for songs like Open Your Eyes, Dance with Me, and Method to My Madness. Other bands the talented guitarist helmed over the years included The Dripping Lips and the Brian James Gang. He was also a successful solo artist and worked with punk and rock icons like Iggy Pop (who he toured with as Iggy's guitarist in 1979), Wayne Kramer, Stewart Copeland, and Cheetah Chrome throughout his six-decade career. Back in March, Brian's ex-Damned bandmate Raymond 'Captain Sensible' Burns posted a tribute online, sharing a photo of himself with Brian on X. Burns wrote: 'We're shocked to hear that creator of The Damned, our great chum Brian James has sadly gone. A lovely bloke that I feel so lucky to have met all those years ago and for some reason chose me to help in his quest for the music revolution that became known as punk.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: Gloria Gaynor: 'The biggest misconception about me? That I'm a feminist' Arrow MORE: The Sopranos star Charley Scalies dies aged 84 after Alzheimer's diagnosis
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rock legend buried at sea in special ceremony after star requested he ‘sleep with the fishes'
Nine friends and family — including his widow Minna — sailed out from Eastbourne to witness the burial on April 28 LIFE COMES IN WAVES Rock legend buried at sea in special ceremony after star requested he 'sleep with the fishes' THE Damned guitarist Brian James has been buried at sea in a special ceremony. The punk rocker's body was laid to rest on the ocean floor off the coast of Newhaven, East Sussex. Advertisement Nine friends and family — including his widow Minna — sailed out from Eastbourne to witness the burial on April 28. It followed a small memorial service at a church near the couple's home in Brighton. Minna told The Sun: 'It was a beautiful day and the sea was calm. 'We've been together since I was 18, so it was very emotional. Advertisement 'A burial at sea is pretty unusual, but it was in his will so we had to do it.' A local funeral firm had to apply for a certificate from the Marine Management Organisation. The musician died at the age of 74 on March 6. A source said: ''Brian now sleeps with the fishes, which is what he wished for before he died. Advertisement "He was a true original in life and has carried that on in death. ''The spirit of punk never left him and he was adamant he wanted his final resting place to be at sea. ''A few loved ones went out on the boat for around three hours and watched as his coffin was dropped into the drink.'' First single by British punk rock band The Damned, released in 1976 1 The Damned guitarist Brian James has been buried at sea in a special ceremony Credit: Getty
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rock legend buried at sea in special ceremony after star requested he ‘sleep with the fishes'
THE Damned guitarist Brian James has been buried at sea in a special ceremony. The punk rocker's body was laid to rest on the ocean floor off the coast of Newhaven, East Sussex. Nine friends and family — including his widow Minna — sailed out from Eastbourne to witness the burial on April 28. It followed a small memorial service at a church near the couple's home in Brighton. Minna told The Sun: 'It was a beautiful day and the sea was calm. 'We've been together since I was 18, so it was very emotional. 'A burial at sea is pretty unusual, but it was in his will so we had to do it.' A local funeral firm had to apply for a certificate from the Marine Management Organisation. The musician died at the age of 74 on March 6. A source said: ''Brian now sleeps with the fishes, which is what he wished for before he died. "He was a true original in life and has carried that on in death. ''The spirit of punk never left him and he was adamant he wanted his final resting place to be at sea. ''A few loved ones went out on the boat for around three hours and watched as his coffin was dropped into the drink.'' First single by British punk rock band The Damned, released in 1976 1
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rock legend buried at sea in special ceremony after star requested he ‘sleep with the fishes'
THE Damned guitarist Brian James has been buried at sea in a special ceremony. Advertisement Nine friends and family — including his widow Minna — sailed out from Eastbourne to witness the burial on April 28. It followed a small memorial service at a church near the couple's home in Brighton. Minna told The Sun: 'It was a beautiful day and the sea was calm. 'We've been together since I was 18, so it was very emotional. Advertisement Read More on Showbiz 'A burial at sea is pretty unusual, but it was in his will so we had to do it.' A local funeral firm had to apply for a certificate from the Marine Management Organisation. The musician died at the age of 74 on March 6. A source said: ''Brian now sleeps with the fishes, which is what he wished for before he died. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive "He was a true original in life and has carried that on in death. ''The spirit of punk never left him and he was adamant he wanted his final resting place to be at sea. ''A few loved ones went out on the boat for around three hours and watched as his coffin was dropped into the drink.'' First single by British punk rock band The Damned, released in 1976 1 The Damned guitarist Brian James has been buried at sea in a special ceremony Credit: Getty Advertisement
