Tributes paid after death of former NME journalist James McMahon: “His words mattered”

Tributes have to former NME journalist James McMahon, who has died age 44.

McMahon was NME Features Editor during the 2000s, and passed from soft tissue sarcoma at Whipps Cross Hospital in East London on Thursday (November 14).

A passionate champion of all forms of music, especially metal and indie, McMahon was fiercely committed to championing artists from a working class background.

News of his death was shared by former NME editor Conor McNicholas, who wrote: “James was someone who really mattered – his words mattered. His actions mattered. He connected people in new ways and changed things, always for the better because he cared so very much.”

James McMahon

3rd July 1980 – 14th November 2024

Words by @ConorMcNicholas

Please consider donating in his memory at https://t.co/YCTqHq7c7E pic.twitter.com/JKmjqRsJJ3

— The James McMahon Music Podcast (@jamesjammcmahon) November 15, 2024

Nadine Shah, Benefits, Alex Kapanranos, Frank Carter, Ash and The Maccabees’ guitarist Felix White were among the musicians paying tribute to James.

“So shocked and sad to hear this,” wrote White. “Sending love to his closest. I loved him and we did well to stay in touch for 20+ years.”

Shah added: “Such a good lad. Really not boring and just really brilliant. Goodnight mate.”

Benefits tweeted: “It feels like only yesterday I was looking through my old NMEs for some of the covers James worked on. Rest easy James, love to all your friends and family.”

Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos added on Instagram: “Very sad news about James McMahon. Sending love and respect to his friends and family.”

“So sorry to hear about losing James,” wrote Ash frontman Tim Wheeler. “He’s been so brave with all his suffering and so open about all he was going through. I’m really shocked and saddened. I thought he was going to get better. A lovely man, with a beautiful love of music and curiosity about the world. Sending love to Kat and James’ family, friends and love ones.”

The Anchoress wrote: “So unbelievably heartbroken. Love to Kat and all the family.”

Hefner’s Darren Hayman said: “Way after I thought I would ever get in NME again, James somehow got a review of a reissue in. The only two bits of music press I have on display are that and a photo of John Peel in a Hefner T-shirt. Thanks James.”

Hope Of The States‘ Sam Herlihy described him as “a real music person in a world short of them”, while Frank Carter described his death as “a devastating loss for the world”.

“Thank you James for everything,” he added. “Your words and your actions both profoundly impactful. You changed my life.”

So sorry to read this. Feels like only yesterday I was looking through my old NMEs for some of the covers you worked on. Rest easy James, love to all your friends and family x

— Benefits (@Benefitstheband) November 15, 2024

Devastated to hear this. Loved him.

— Felix White (@felixwhite) November 15, 2024

McMahon’s passion shone through in his writing. Originally from Doncaster, he became NME features editor when he moved to London, where he also played in the bands Jobbers and Sister Death.

James then became Editor at Kerrang! for six years from 2011, where his love of making music journalism as colourful and vibrant as possible shone in a successful period for the magazine. He was an early champion of Bring Me The Horizon and Black Veil Brides.

On leaving Kerrang!, James diversified into writing for publications including about his many passions for The Guardian, Vice, The Face, The Spectactor, Record Collector and The Evening Standard. These loves included football, WWE, horror movies and aliens.

In 2021, James wrote and presented a Radio 4 documentary about 1980s quiz show Bullseye.

Alongside his writing, McMahon started culture Substack Spoook before hosting The James McMahon Music Podcast. His interviewees typified McMahon’s diverse tastes, from Mogwai, Graham Coxon and The K’s to Sister Sledge, Bucks Fizz and Soul Asylum.

McMahon continued working until weeks before his death, interviewing Betty Boo for his podcast in October and discussing music as a pundit on Sky News and GB News.

McMahon was also an advocate for OCD, writing movingly about its effects. His widow, Kat Kennedy, has started a JustGiving campaign in James’ honour to raise money for The Central London OCD Support Group.