James Prime, the keyboardist and co-founder of Deacon Blue, has died aged 64.
His loss of life was introduced by the band earlier at the moment (June 19), who wrote in an announcement that he had “handed away this morning after a brief wrestle with most cancers.”
It comes after Deacon Blue shared final week that Prime was “severely unwell” in intensive care and had given them the go-ahead to proceed with their upcoming tour, scheduled for later this 12 months.
“Thanks a lot for the messages of assist that you just shared over the past two weeks, they meant a lot to Jim, his household and us,” the assertion continued. “With love, Deacon Blue”
Tributes for Prime have been pouring in, with bandmate Ricky Ross posting: “We’re brokenhearted. Can’t reply to messages, however we handed on the love so a lot of you shared.”
Zoe Ball additionally commented on the announcement, writing: “Pricey James. sending his household & his Deacon Blue household a lot love right now of nice loss. my coronary heart is with you all,” whereas singer Beverly Knight added: “I’m so sorry to listen to this. Sending my like to you and and the Deacon Blue household.”
We’re damaged hearted. Cannot reply to messages however we handed on the love so a lot of you shared. https://t.co/PEUM5ibOMM
— Ricky Ross (@rickyaross) June 19, 2025
Shocked and Saddened to listen to of the passing of James Prime of Deacon Blue after a most cancers battle sending condolences to his household and pals RIP James 😢😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/24ZcrxLXfR
— Lee Patriot Hood (@Mofoman360) June 19, 2025
💔 when you do not know somebody however he is been a part of your life because you have been a young person. Relaxation in peace Reverend James Prime💙 https://t.co/NwdyLG5Q9D
— Sharon Quinn👀 (@ChaosInMyCourt) June 19, 2025
RIP Jim Prime.
Cherished his work, particularly on this
Deacon Blue – Loaded https://t.co/JJEeVvX7fU through @YouTube
— Craig Hughes 🦡🍄🐍 (@BadgerousII) June 19, 2025
Scottish Radio DJ Ewan Cameron was one other to share his condolences, writing: “Such unhappy information. Sending like to you all and his household.”
A fan on Twitter/X wrote: “This one hurts. The piano solo in Dignity is without doubt one of the nice classics of all time and lifts my coronary heart each time I hear it. Jim, you may be sorely missed however your music will final for a really very long time.”
One other added: “Completely gutted by this unhappy information. Deacon Blue are the soundtrack to my life and the perfect band ever – Jim shall be sorely missed.”
Such unhappy information. Sending like to you all and his household ❤️
— Ewen Cameron (@EwenDCameron) June 19, 2025
This one hurts. The piano solo in Dignity is without doubt one of the nice classics of all time and lifts my coronary heart each time I hear it. Jim, you may be sorely missed however your music will final for a really very long time.
— Gordon Rowan🏴🎸🇪🇺🏌️ (@gogsrowan) June 19, 2025
Prime was born in Kilmarnock in 1960, and labored as a college lecturer, alongside being with Deacon Blue because the band’s inception in Glasgow in 1985
They launched their debut album ‘Raintown’ in 1987, which reached quantity 14 within the UK Albums Chart, they usually went on to turn into one in every of Scotland’s most profitable bands.
Over their four-decade profession, the band has had 12 UK high 40 singles – together with their hit ‘Dignity’ and Quantity One ‘Actual Gone Child’ – and two UK Quantity One albums.
Their newest album, ‘The Nice Western Highway’, was launched earlier this 12 months, and the surviving members are on account of head on ‘The Nice Western Highway Journey’ tour in September, with various UK tour dates lined up.
The 15 scheduled reveals are available celebration of their album of the identical identify, which was shared within the spring. It marked 4 a long time since they shaped, and arrived because the follow-up to their 2021 album ‘Driving On The Tide of Love’.