Shane MacGowan: Pogues singer dies aged 65

BBC ^ | 11/30/2023 | Steven McIntosh, Helen Bushby and Annabel Rackham

[stylecouncilor]

Singer-songwriter and The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has died aged 65, following ill-health and a recent hospital stay after being diagnosed with encephalitis.

The musician, whose hits include 1987's Fairytale of New York and A Pair of Brown Eyes, had been unwell for some time.

MacGowan also had well-documented problems with drugs and alcohol.

His wife Victoria Mary Clarke said MacGowan "meant the world to me".

Posting on Instagram, she wrote: "I don't know how to say this so I am just going to say it. Shane... has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese."

[Joe 6-pack]

There's no pain, there's no more sorrow

They're all gone, gone in the years, babe

[stylecouncilor]

I agree. He was a great poet.

[stylecouncilor]

That's always been my favorite!

Bury me at sea Where no murdered ghost can haunt me If I rock upon the waves And no corpse can lie upon me Let me go, boys, let me go, boys Let me go down in the mud, where the rivers all run dry

[Major Matt Mason]

I was at the Fleadh music festival in 2000 (?) where Shane MacGowan & the Popes were one of the bands on the bill. Their set was delayed by 35-40 minutes due to Shane being MIA for all of the usual reasons, I'm sure, but they ended up putting on a good show once Shane found his way to the stage. RIP.

[Augie]

Dude was an amazing talent. One of my favorites.

I hope he’s raising a pint with Kirsty about now.