Tributes have poured in for former Pogues frontman Shane McGowan from the likes of U2 and Paul Weller saying “Shane MacGowan’s songs were perfect so he or we his fans didn’t have to be…”
McGowan died after a battle with pneumonia, it was announced yesterday.
His wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, said on Instagram that “he will always be the light that I hold before me… you meant the world to me”.
In a statement, the President of Ireland Michael Higgins said: “the genius of Shane’s contribution includes the fact that his songs capture within them… the measure of our dreams”.
The Dubliners and The Pogues play "The Irish Rover".
— Barry Malone (@malonebarry) November 30, 2023
One of the best live performances you will ever see. pic.twitter.com/b3s9P1cQow
MacGowan was born in Kent on Christmas day 1957 and raised by two Irish parents.
He became the lead singer of The Pogues when the band was formed in London in 1982 until they disbanded in 2014.
The band had prominent success through the 1980s, including their 1988 album ‘If I should fall from grace with god’ which reached number 3 in the UK charts.
Shane MacGowan’s songs were perfect so he or we his fans didn't have to be… pic.twitter.com/DZAHqOcAER
— U2 (@U2) November 30, 2023
In 2018, MacGowan received a Lifetime Achievement Award by National Concert Hall and President Higgins.
The singer-songwriter, known for hits like 1987’s Christmas number 2 ‘Fairytale of New York’, was discharged from hospital a week prior to his passing.
