As his 1976 anthem New Rose is hailed as a milestone, Brian James explains why another blast of fresh air is well overdue
It was the first punk single, a tune that influenced a generation of young people disaffected by early 70s manufactured pop and rock. Now the man who wrote New Rose, hailed by one critic as “the absolute redefinition of all that rock’n’roll held dear, a stunning return to basics which threw every last iota of expertise and experience to the winds”, is to receive a lifetime achievement award at the so-called Punk Oscars.
International punk magazine Vive Le Rock is to confer its Pioneer award on Brian James from the Damned at a ceremony on 1 April. Now in his late 60s, but still playing gigs and recording with the Lords of the New Church, the veteran guitarist said he was flattered by the award.