"

It changed everything definitely when he left. But all changes have good effects and bad effects. So I think if he hadn’t left, we wouldn’t have got to play with such an extraordinary range of musicians as we are now in the live shows. There’s nine of us on-stage now, backing vocals, percussion, keyboards, brass.

It’s kind of — so that was definitely a good effect. But he’s one of our oldest friends, so if you’re losing one of your oldest friends, there’s always going to be a bad effect. Well, we haven’t lost him. We know where he is. We know where to find him.

"

"Like [Ray] Davies, Damon is the primary songwriter in his band. Though keyboards are his main instrument, he generally writes on guitar because “I’m not very good at playing it, so I’m forced to be simple. If I wrote on piano, I’d write big sentimental ballads all the time. Sometimes it’s better to be inadequate when you’re writing songs.” With tunes and lyrics in place, Coxon, James, and Rowntree are left to put their stamp on the material. Coxon’s unfailingly tasty guitar parts are the highlight of many a Blur track. Damon comments, “He just makes the songs better. It’s integral to the whole thing.” Alex: “He’s the best guitarist of his generation.” Graham’s response to his bandmates’ praise: “Fuckers. They never talk like that when I’m in the room."

"We stood there and totally clocked each other. I was a bit sickened, really. I thought he was cooler than me and better looking. And up till then I’d been feeling pretty cool - baggy trousers, paisley shirt, floppy fringe - and then I see Graham who looked like me but cooler and I thought, you bastard. I knew instantly that he’d be a big part of my life."