Brian James of The Damned Granted His Dying Wish to Be Buried at Sea

Brian James, founding guitarist of the iconic punk band The Damned, has been laid to rest at sea, fulfilling his last wish.

Brian James: A Punk Legend’s Final Journey

Brian James, the pioneering guitarist of the legendary British punk band The Damned, has reportedly been granted his final wish of a burial at sea. This emotional farewell marks the end of an era for the music world.

James passed away peacefully on March 6 at the age of 70, surrounded by his family, although the cause of death remains undisclosed. The announcement of his passing was made on his official Facebook account.

A Sea Burial in East Sussex

According to reports, James was buried on April 28 at the bottom of the sea in a private ceremony off the coast of Newhaven, East Sussex, England. His widow Minna, son Charlie, daughter-in-law Alicia, and nine close friends gathered to honor him during this intimate moment.

Minna shared her feelings with the media: “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.”

The attendees took a boat trip lasting around three hours from Eastbourne to the burial site. Following the sea ceremony, they held a small memorial service at a church near James’ home in Brighton.

Brian’s Last Wishes Honored

A source close to the family revealed, “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.”

Remembering a Punk Pioneer

In response to the news of his death, Brian’s former bandmate Raymond ‘Captain Sensible’ Burns expressed his sorrow on social media. He shared a heartfelt photo alongside Brian, writing, “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.”

“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.” — Captain Sensible

Brian co-founded The Damned in 1976 with fellow musicians Dave Vanian, Raymond ‘Captain Sensible’ Burns, and Christopher ‘Rat Scabies’ Millar. They released their debut single "New Rose" in October of that year, followed by their groundbreaking album "Damned Damned Damned" in February 1977, which received an 8/10 review from critics.

In November 1977, they released their follow-up album "Music For Pleasure," after which Brian decided to part ways with the band. Between 1992 and 1996, he played with the Brussels-based group Dripping Lips. Later, in 2001, he teamed up with Wayne Kramer of MC5, Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses, Stewart Copeland, and Clem Burke to form the supergroup Racketeers, releasing the album "Mad for the Racket."

In conclusion, Brian James led a life filled with music, creativity, and rebellion. His unique spirit will live on in the hearts of his fans and the pages of punk history. What are your favorite memories of Brian James and The Damned? Share in the comments below!

• What was Brian James’ wish regarding his burial? Brian James wished to be buried at sea, which was fulfilled after his passing.
• When did Brian James pass away? Brian James passed away on March 6 at the age of 70.
• Where was Brian James buried? He was buried at sea off the coast of Newhaven, East Sussex, England.
• Who attended Brian James' burial? His widow Minna, son Charlie, daughter-in-law Alicia, and nine close friends attended the ceremony.
• What was Brian James known for? He was the founding guitarist of The Damned and a significant figure in the punk music scene.

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