James “Jim” Prime, co-founder and keyboardist of Deacon Blue, passed away on the morning of June 19, 2025, at the age of 64 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

His bandmates announced his death with deep sadness, thanking fans for their messages of support over the past two weeks, which meant so much to Jim and his family.

Born and raised in Kilmarnock, Scotland, Jim Prime helped form Deacon Blue in 1985 alongside Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh. Over four decades, the band released eleven studio albums—propelled by hits like “Dignity,” “Real Gone Kid,” and “Fergus Sings the Blues”—and became fixtures of the UK pop-rock scene. Jim’s warm, melodic keyboard style provided the emotional backbone to the band’s sound, earning him admiration from peers and listeners alike.

Earlier in June, Deacon Blue shared news of Jim’s serious illness and hospitalization, requesting that fans send their love and well wishes. True to his generous spirit, Jim encouraged the group to continue their summer tour “with love in our hearts,” granting them his full blessing even as he faced treatment in the ICU. His unwavering dedication to the music and to his bandmates shone through until the end.

Beyond his work with Deacon Blue, Jim was a respected lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, where he inspired budding musicians with both technical expertise and heartfelt encouragement. Colleagues recall his patience in the classroom and his genuine interest in nurturing the next generation of Scottish artists. Offstage, he was known for his warm humor, kindness, and ability to forge deep emotional connections through conversation and song.

Deacon Blue posted a final tribute on social media: “Dear friends, we announce with great sadness that our brother James Prime passed away this morning after a short struggle with cancer. Thank you so much for the messages of support that you shared over the last two weeks—they meant so much to Jim, his family & us. With love, DBx.” Funeral arrangements are being finalized privately by his family, who have asked for privacy during their time of mourning.

Rest in peace, James “Jim” Prime. Your music, your mentorship, and your boundless generosity will echo in our hearts and on countless stages for years to come.