Legendary British punk rock guitarist Brian James has died at the age of 70. The musician, who founded The Damned and played with Black Sabbath, passed away peacefully on Thursday, it was announced on his social media account. He leaves behind his wife Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia. Brian, who will be remembered as a 'pioneer of music' and a 'true gentleman', played with icons such as Iggy Pop during his career. He earned international recognition for his role as the main songwriter for The Damned in the 1970s. Brian was also hailed as the writer of the UK's first ever punk single, New Rose. A statement on Facebook posted to his account 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.' Brian left The Damned after the release of their second album and went on to found short-lived band Tanz Der Youth. He later formed The Lords of the New Church with his friend and fellow rocker Stiv Bators. Together they released singles such as Open Your Eyes, Dance with Me, and Method to My Madness. He then went on to The Dripping Lips and the Brian James Gang and created more solo albums. In 2022, more than forty years after the release of New Rose, The Damned reunited for a series of shows across the UK. Throughout his career, Brian worked with a number of rock 'n' roll stars including Iggy Pop, Wayne Kramer, Stewart Copeland and Cheetah Chrome. The tribute to Brian continued: 'Incessantly creative and a musical tour de force, over a career which spanned more than six decades, with his music also gracing film and television soundtracks, in addition to The Damned and The Lords of the New Church, Brian worked with a plethora of punk and rock ‘n’ roll’s finest, from Iggy Pop to Wayne Kramer, Stewart Copeland to Cheetah Chrome. 'Most recently, more than four decades after the release of the epoch-making New Rose, the original members of The Damned reformed for a series of very special and emotional UK shows in 2022. 'With his wife Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia by his side, Brian passed peacefully on Thursday 6th March 2025.