Fifty years on from their explosive debut single “New Rose”, THE DAMNED have evolved from punk pioneers to national treasures. But as a new album pays tribute to Brian James, their fallen co-founder, bandmates Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies – along with sundry eyewitnesses and ne’erdo-wells – recall the volatile beginnings, creative vision and incorrigible spirit of The Damned’s groundbreaking first act. “It was CID, villains and the Captain in a nurse’s outfit,” hears Peter Watts

JOHN LYDON WITH PHIL MEARS “This pic of myself and John Lydon was taken at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale, Greater Manchester, as part of his I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right spoken word tour on

ALAMY; RADIO TIMES ARCHIVE SCIENCE FILLING A VOID ...

It’s a funny old world

9 DECEMBER

It’s a joy watching our favourite singers or actors, but though we might admire them and enjoy the happiness they bring, do we ever give a thought as to how precarious the world of entertainment actua