The Damned emerged from London’s mid-’70s scene alongside the
The Sex Pistols but claimed key firsts: 1976’s “New Rose,” the first U.K.
punk single, and the 1977 debut "Damned Damned Damned", produced by
Nick Lowe. Fronted by former gravedigger Dave Vanian, whose croon helped seed
goth rock, the band balanced dark theatrics with humor. They briefly worked with
Nick Mason, pursued
Syd Barrett as producer, and later scored a major hit with “Eloise.” Long-running lineup dramas included legal battles over the name and bassist Patricia Morrison, who later married Vanian.
