James Prime, Founding Keyboardist of Deacon Blue, Passes Away at 64
James Prime, the longtime keyboardist and a founding member of the iconic Scottish band Deacon Blue, has died at the age of 64 following a brief battle with cancer.
Originally from Kilmarnock, Prime helped form the band in Glasgow in 1985 alongside lead singer Ricky Ross. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the band shared the news of his passing, saying:
"Our beloved brother, James Prime, passed away after a short fight with cancer."
They also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support received over the past couple of weeks, noting that the messages meant a great deal to James, his family, and the entire band.
Just last week, Deacon Blue had informed fans that Prime was critically ill and being treated in intensive care. Despite his condition, he had encouraged the band to go ahead with their scheduled tour planned for later this year.
In addition to his musical career, Prime was a respected music lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland.
Deacon Blue remains one of Scotland’s most celebrated bands, with 12 UK Top 40 hits — including the timeless Dignity and the chart-topping Real Gone Kid — along with two UK No.1 albums.
Current band members include Lorraine McIntosh (vocals), Dougie Vipond (drums), Gregor Philp (guitar), and Lewis Gordon (bass).
Band co-founder Ricky Ross posted on X (formerly Twitter):
"We are heartbroken. We may not be able to respond to every message, but we’ve shared the love so many of you have sent."
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