Shane MacGowan, Lead Singer of The Pogues Dies at 65
Shane MacGowan, best known for being the lead singer of the Celtic punk band The Pogues, has died at the age of 65. His wife, Victoria Mary Clarke shared the sad news on social media. She wrote, “There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world. Thank you thank you thank you thank you for your presence in this world you made it so very bright and you gave so much joy to so many people with your heart and soul and your music. You will live in my heart forever. Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much.”
MacGowan suffered from health issues in the last few years. He had been receiving treatment for an unspecified illness at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin and was suffering from encephalitis, inflammation in the brain. He was also wheelchair-bound.
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The Pogues shared a tribute to their longtime singer on social media as well. They wrote, “It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan. Shane died peacefully at 3 a.m. this morning with his wife Victoria and family by his side. Prayers and the last rites were read which gave comfort to his family. He is survived by his wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan and his father Maurice, family and a large circle of friends.”
The Pogues were mainly popular in Ireland and England and are best known for their 1987 hit song, “Fairytale Of New York.” It has become the most-played Christmas song in the 21st century in the U.K. Some of their other hit songs include “Dirty Old Town” and “A Pair of Brown Eyes.” MacGowan wrote many of their songs and often became inspired by Irish history.
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MacGowan was also known for his friendship with actor Johnny Depp, who appeared in the music video “That Woman’s Got Me Drinking.”