James McMahon

One of the most iconic music journalists of our time, James McMahon was born and raised in Doncaster. He loved music early on—and turned that passion into a brilliant career. Writing as James Jam, he brought humour, honesty, and sharp insight to everything he did. He wrote for NME, where he became Features Editor. He also spent time at GamesMaster, before going on to edit Kerrang!  Along the way, he made fanzines, recorded podcasts, and wrote about just about everything. Curious, witty, and never boring. James had a gift for making people laugh while making them think. He never lost that Doncaster edge—grounded, sharp, and real. In November 2024, he died aged 44, after being diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. His voice, and his humour, still echo loudly.