“One of the true pioneers of music – guitarist, songwriter, and true gentleman”: Brian James, punk rock guitar legend who played with The Damned and The Lords of the New Church, dies at 70

Brian James, seated with a Gibson SG guitar in London in 1977.

Brian James, a legend of punk rock guitar who helped pioneer the genre with the Damned, has died at the age of 70, according to a post on his Facebook page.

“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 post reads.