The Captain’s medals of honour, awarded by Pat Gilbert.

THE PUNK-PROG ONE The Damned ★★★★ Machine Gun Etiquette (CHISWICK, 1979)

When The Damned re-grouped without their original leader Brian James, few expected fireworks. But the Sensible-Vanian-Scabies axis proved an explosive creative combo, pimping the old MC5 punk template with clever prog, goth and classic rock embellishments. Sensible’s switch from bass to guitar revealed a gifted player, taking flight on Plan 9 Channel 7’s stratospheric heavy metal outro.

THE OVERLOOKED MASTERPIECE

The Damned ★★★★★ Strawberries (BRONZE, 1982)

It speaks volumes that Robert Fripp guested on the sessions for The Damned most eloquent intertwining of pop, prog and psychedelia. Fripp’s observation that Sensible was “one of the best guitarists around” is borne out in the stunning liquidity and melodicism of Under The Floor’s closing solo, while the Sensible-led, and sung, Life Goes On and Don’t Bother Me reflect the complex personality under the comical red beret.

THE ‘LOST’ CONCEPT ALBUM Captain Sensible ★★★★ The Universe Of Geoffrey Brown (HUMBUG, 1993)

Regarded by Sensible as his finest work, this charming concept piece unfolds the story of an MOD civil servant who suddenly receives a salutary warning from aliens about our planet’s future. Tailor-made for the stage, and very nearly filmed by The Comic Strip team, its polished, pop-psych framework and exemplary arrangements and musicianship are an unmitigated delight.