James Chance, no-wave legend and The Contortions frontman has died, aged 71

19 June, 2024

James Chance performs live

No-wave legend and The Contortions frontman James Chance has died at the age of 71.

The news was shared via James Chance’s official Facebook page today (June 19) after confirmation from his brother David Siegfried. Per the statement, Chance – born James Alan Siegfried – died at the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center in New York today.

While a cause of death has not been revealed, Chance’s brother David had noted that “the musician’s health had been in decline for several years.”

The lengthy post from Chance’s official Facebook page also includes a detailed reflection on the musician’s life and career.

James Chance 1953 – 2024Musician James Chance, Who Blended Punk Rock Aggression with Funk and Free Jazz Expression,…

Posted by James Chance Official on Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Chance had been in ill health for some time, with his friends and family launching a GoFundMe campaign in 2020 to help the musician through “personal health issues and the COVID situation”.

A private funeral will be held for friends and family, with details of a public memorial set to be announced at a later date.

Per Brooklyn Vegan, a second GoFundMe page was set up in November last year after the musician had been hospitalised. On the campaign page, his brother David wrote: “He’s very frail. He’s down to 95 pounds. He needs to get some physical therapy to get his strength back but I don’t know how to navigate the health care system to get him approved for that.”

James Chance was known for his unique approach to music, blending punk rock, jazz and funk. After playing in a band named Death in Milwaukee, Chance moved to New York City and joined the band Flaming Youth in 1976 and later formed Teenage Jesus and the Jerks with Lydia Lunch. He formed the Contortions in 1977, who appeared on the ‘No New York’ compilation album by Brian Eno.

Friction between Chance and band members, partially due to Chance’s aggressive and confrontational attitude, eventually led to a breakup of the Contortions in the fall of 1979. The band reunited for a short spell of shows in 2001. Chance also performed with the Chicago band Watchers.

James Chance is survived by his mother Jean Siegfried, brother and fellow performer David Siegfried and his wife Donna Seaman, sisters Jill Siegfried and Mary (Randy) Koehler. He is also survived by nephews Robert (Kelly) Borden, Michael (Bethany) Borden, Scott (Julie) Rubin, Steven (Sarah) Rubin, and three grandnieces.

See tributes from Elijah Wood and more below.