James Likelihood, The Contortions frontman has died, aged 71

No-wave legend and The Contortions frontman James Likelihood has died on the age of 71.
The information was shared through James Likelihood’s official Fb web page at the moment (June 19) after affirmation from his brother David Siegfried. Per the assertion, Likelihood – born James Alan Siegfried – died on the Terence Cardinal Cooke Well being Care Heart in New York at the moment.
Whereas a reason behind demise has not been revealed, Likelihood’s brother David had famous that “the musician’s well being had been in decline for a number of years.”
The prolonged put up from Likelihood’s official Fb web page additionally features a detailed reflection on the musician’s life and profession.
James Likelihood 1953 – 2024Musician James Likelihood, Who Blended Punk Rock Aggression with Funk and Free Jazz Expression,…
Posted by James Chance Official on Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Likelihood had been in in poor health well being for a while, along with his family and friends launching a GoFundMe marketing campaign in 2020 to assist the musician by means of “private well being points and the COVID state of affairs”.
A personal funeral can be held for family and friends, with particulars of a public memorial set to be introduced at a later date.
Per Brooklyn Vegan, a second GoFundMe web page was arrange in November final yr after the musician had been hospitalised. On the marketing campaign web page, his brother David wrote: “He’s very frail. He’s all the way down to 95 kilos. He must get some bodily remedy to get his energy again however I don’t know the right way to navigate the well being care system to get him accepted for that.”
James Likelihood was recognized for his distinctive method to music, mixing punk rock, jazz and funk. After taking part in in a band named Demise in Milwaukee, Likelihood moved to New York Metropolis and joined the band Flaming Youth in 1976 and later shaped Teenage Jesus and the Jerks with Lydia Lunch. He shaped the Contortions in 1977, who appeared on the ‘No New York’ compilation album by Brian Eno.
Friction between Likelihood and band members, partially because of Likelihood’s aggressive and confrontational angle, ultimately led to a breakup of the Contortions within the fall of 1979. The band reunited for a brief spell of reveals in 2001. Likelihood additionally carried out with the Chicago band Watchers.
James Likelihood is survived by his mom Jean Siegfried, brother and fellow performer David Siegfried and his spouse Donna Seaman, sisters Jill Siegfried and Mary (Randy) Koehler. He’s additionally survived by nephews Robert (Kelly) Borden, Michael (Bethany) Borden, Scott (Julie) Rubin, Steven (Sarah) Rubin, and three grandnieces.
See tributes from Elijah Wooden and extra under.
So lengthy to No Wave legend James Likelihood. Play Contort Your self loud. pic.twitter.com/ZK9zZWRvQQ
— Elijah Wooden (@elijahwood) June 19, 2024
Relaxation In Peace to the King Sax Maniac James Likelihood. pic.twitter.com/UcAnxNEtW1
— COLD CAVE (@ColdCave23) June 19, 2024
Anya Phillips, James Likelihood on the Mudd Membership c 1979-80
Posted by Chris Stein on Tuesday, June 18, 2024