Alex James, the bassist of Blur, has certainly had his fair share of rock-and-roll antics, but one particular holiday mishap still stands out. In his newly released book Over the Rainbow: Tales from an Unexpected Year, the 56-year-old musician revealed a jaw-dropping story about the time he was kicked out of a church Christmas party for a rather unusual and controversial reason — desecrating a sacred figurine of the naked baby Jesus.
The incident took place at a church gathering, where James was indulging in his usual vice — smoking. As he recalls in the book, he was in a room filled with art and antiques when a fellow guest politely asked if smoking was allowed. “I had been smoking in the room with the art and the objects, as usual,” James writes. “Someone I didn’t know had said, ‘I’m not sure if you’re allowed to smoke in here,’ and I’d dutifully picked up a little ashtray on the sideboard where I was leaning and extinguished my cigarette.”
It turns out, however, that what James thought was an ashtray was far from it. In his usual carefree manner, the Blur bassist had unknowingly grabbed an antique figurine of the naked baby Jesus. “Sadly, unlike some staterooms, not everything in this one was actually an ashtray,” James humorously recounts. “I’d happened upon an antique figurine of the naked baby Jesus and stubbed my cigarette-end out by rubbing it around in his crotch, quite obliviously.”
As if the accidental desecration wasn’t enough, things took a turn for the worse when James tried to salvage the situation. After being made aware of his mistake, he attempted to downplay the disaster by demonstrating the figurine’s “robustness.” “I picked baby Jesus back up to demonstrate his robustness by tugging one of his little arms,” James writes. “The arm came off along with a plume of impossibly fine, glittering, powdery dust.” Despite his best efforts, the figurine was broken — and James was quickly escorted out of the party.
The situation didn’t end with James simply being booted from the event. He humorously recounts how, despite the embarrassment, he managed to somewhat fix the damage. “Luckily,” he shares, “I managed to wedge it back on,” though it’s clear the memory still sticks with him as one of his more regrettable (and memorable) moments.
James’s Christmas party mishap is just one of the many colorful anecdotes in his new book, which chronicles a year full of unexpected moments and reflections. It’s no surprise that someone who’s lived a life as vibrant and unpredictable as his would have such a story to share. The bassist, known for his love of life and occasional mischief, clearly isn’t afraid to embrace his past, even when it involves some rather awkward and hilarious moments.
In addition to his musical career with Blur, Alex James has undergone a significant personal transformation in recent years. He gave up drinking alcohol in 2002 and later married Claire Neates, with whom he shares five children. The two married in April 2003, and James has since embraced fatherhood and family life, balancing his rock-star persona with the everyday responsibilities of being a parent.
In a 2023 interview with Red Magazine, James opened up about the stark contrasts between his life as a musician and as a dad. He recalled a recent trip where he juggled life on the road with his role as a father. “The last time I went away, I dropped the kids at school and flew to Mexico City, where there were thousands of people waiting for us at the airport and hotel,” James explained. “When we got to the venue – a stadium – it was huge. But afterward, you get home and you have to wash up, and the kids are like, ‘Dad, stop being a w—–.’”
Alex James’s story serves as a reminder that even rock stars have their humbling moments — especially when it comes to family life. While he’s enjoyed fame and fortune, it’s his family who keeps him grounded, and it’s clear that he values both sides of his life. His mischievous Christmas party story will undoubtedly be one of many that fans and family will remember for years to come.
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