Sadly, Brian James, founding member of The Damned has passed away. He was 70. He died at his home with his family present. James' family issued a statement:"GOODBYE TO A PIONEER & TRUE GENTLEMANIt is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of the true pioneers of music, guitarist,songwriter, and true gentleman, Brian James.Founding member of The Damned, writer of the first ever UK punk single, New Rose, Brian was theprincipal songwriter of the band’s debut album, Damned Damned Damned, which was released inFebruary 1977. Parting ways with the Damned following the release of their second album, the NickMason-produced Music for Pleasure, Brian created the short-lived Tanz Der Youth, before he formedThe Lords of the New Church with his friend and fellow rocker Stiv Bators.In a...