Shane MacGowan, the legendary Irish singer and songwriter who was the lead singer and songwriter of the Celtic punk band The Pogues, died on Wednesday at a hospital in London. He was 65.
His death was confirmed by his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, who said he had been diagnosed with encephalitis, a brain inflammation, last year and had been unwell for some time.
MacGowan was one of the most influential and distinctive voices in Irish music, blending traditional Irish folk with the rebellious spirit and raw energy of punk rock. His lyrics often explored themes of Irish nationalism, history, diaspora, and life in London, where he grew up after spending his early years in Tipperary, Ireland.
He formed The Pogues, originally named Pogue Mahone, which means “kiss my ass” in Irish, in 1982 with a group of fellow musicians who shared his passion for Irish music and punk culture. The band quickly gained a loyal following and critical acclaim for their unique sound and style, which fused elements of Irish instruments, such as the tin whistle, banjo, and accordion, with electric guitars, drums, and bass.
The Pogues released seven studio albums, including the classic “Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash” in 1985, which featured MacGowan’s signature song “A Pair of Brown Eyes”. The band also collaborated with other artists, such as Elvis Costello, who produced their second album, and Kirsty MacColl, who sang with MacGowan on the 1988 hit “Fairytale of New York”, a duet about a couple’s bitter Christmas Eve argument that has become a perennial favorite.
MacGowan’s talent as a songwriter and performer was widely recognized and admired, but his career was also marred by his struggles with drugs and alcohol, which affected his health and his relationship with his bandmates. He was fired from The Pogues in 1991, after missing several concerts and rehearsals. He then formed a new band, The Popes, and continued to record and tour as a solo artist and with various collaborators. He also reunited with The Pogues for several shows and festivals in the 2000s and 2010s.
MacGowan’s life and music were the subject of several documentaries, books, and tributes, including the 2018 film “Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan”, directed by Julien Temple and produced by Johnny Depp, who was a friend and fan of MacGowan. The film featured interviews with MacGowan and his family, friends, and fellow musicians, as well as archival footage and animation.
MacGowan was also honored with several awards, including the Ivor Novello Award for lifetime achievement in 2018 and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards in 2001. He was also named one of the 50 greatest Irish people of all time by a poll conducted by the Irish Times in 2010.
MacGowan is survived by his wife, whom he married in 2018 in a ceremony attended by Depp and other celebrities, and his extended family in Ireland and England. He was also mourned by his fans and peers, who paid tribute to him on social media and in the media.
Relevant articles:
– Shane MacGowan – Wikipedia
– Shane MacGowan: Pogues singer dies aged 65
– Fairytale Of New York singer Shane MacGowan out of hospital – BBC