Alex James, the bassist of Blur, recently shared a hilarious and embarrassing story from his past in his new book, Over the Rainbow: Tales from an Unexpected Year. The 56-year-old musician revealed that he was once kicked out of a church Christmas party for desecrating a figurine of the naked baby Jesus.
According to James, he had been smoking in a room filled with art and objects when he noticed a piece on the sideboard. Someone pointed out that smoking might not be allowed in that space, but James, not thinking clearly, picked up an item he believed to be an ashtray. He casually used it to extinguish his cigarette.
Unfortunately, what James had grabbed was not an ashtray at all. It was, in fact, an antique figurine of the baby Jesus. Without realizing it, he had stubbed out his cigarette on the statue’s crotch. “Sadly, unlike some staterooms, not everything in this one was actually an ashtray,” James humorously writes.
Things took an even worse turn when James accidentally broke the figurine while trying to make things right. After being alerted to the situation, he attempted to demonstrate the figure’s resilience by tugging on one of its arms. This only led to the arm coming off, releasing a fine, glittering powder.
James recalls his quick thinking, managing to wedge the arm back into place. Despite his attempt at damage control, the event left a lasting impression, and he was promptly asked to leave the party.
In the book, James reflects on this moment with a mix of humor and regret. This story is just one of many from his colorful life, which he continues to explore through writing. Known for his bold personality, James doesn’t shy away from sharing his past experiences, even if they involve awkward and embarrassing moments.
Aside from these stories, James also opened up about his life away from the stage. He has been sober since 2002 and married his wife Claire Neates, with whom he shares five children. In a recent interview, he compared his life as a rock star to that of a father. Despite the massive crowds he faces when traveling for concerts, he often returns home to the more mundane tasks of parenting. “The kids are like, ‘Dad, stop being a w—–,'” he shared with a laugh.
Through his book and interviews, James continues to entertain fans with tales from his unpredictable life, from rock stardom to fatherhood.
