Shane MacGowan death: Tributes pour in for The Pogues leader
Fans across the world have sent tributes following the death of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, whose passing was confirmed by his partner, Victoria Clarke, on the morning of November 30th after a lengthy period of hospitalisation at the age of 65.
At the time of his death, MacGowan had faced declining health for several years, which was largely attributed to his binge drinking and use of hard drugs. MacGowan had been wheelchair-bound since the summer of 2015, following a fall outside a Dublin studio when he fractured his pelvis. Since then, a number of other health issues arose, including a serious bout of pneumonia.
The Pogues leader was hospitalised with an infection on December 6th, 2022, after being diagnosed with brain inflammation encephalitis. In July 2023, MacGowan he then was sent into an intensive care unit. In September, he remained there, with his wife, the Irish journalist Victoria Mary Clarke, issuing a positive update, hoping he would be home for Christmas.
However, on November 11th, Clarke provided a worrying health update on MacGowan, writing on Instagram: “Sometimes when you love very deeply you will find yourself facing terrifying fears of loss that can feel so big and devastating that you don’t know how you can survive them and you can’t imagine life without this person that you love.”
After the sad news of MacGowan’s death was confirmed, both fans and colleagues took to social media to express their deep admiration for the late musician, who will remain an integral part of popular culture, thanks to songs such as ‘Dirty Old Town’ and the timeless 1987 Christmas hit ‘Fairytale of New York’, which also features the late vocalist Kirsty MacColl.
When Clarke broke the news, she posted: “I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to say it. Shane who will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese.”
Her tribute continued: “I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures. 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.”
Concluding: “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. You meant the world to me.”
Additionally, a statement shared by The Pogues on behalf of Clarke, MacGowan’s sister Siobhan, and his father Maurice, reads: “It is with the deepest sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan. Shane died peacefully at 3am this morning (November 30th) with his wife Victoria and family by his side.”
The message continued: “Prayers and 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. Further details will be announced shortly but the family ask for privacy at this very sad time.”
Irish band Kneecap were quick to pour praise upon his songwriting legacy. ”RIP to the very best Irish songwriter there ever was,” they wrote, before commending his brave his political stances. The writer Benjamins Myers followed this by saying, ”Shane MacGowan wrote some of the greatest music ever. At his peak: pure poetic charisma.”
Musician Ian Powse also eulogised the late Pogues star, writing: ”As Springsteen says, we’ll be listening to Shane’s songs in 200 years time. Farewell legend, authentic Irish soul singer.” And Grain Chatten posted: ”So long North Star. I will love you forever.” Meanwhile, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, stated: ”A big round of applause for the legend that was Shane MacGowan who is sadly no longer with us. A pleasure to have known you.”
In a lengthy statement, President Higgins wrote: ”The genius of Shane’s contribution includes the fact that his songs capture within them, as Shane would put it, the measure of our dreams – of so many worlds, and particularly those of love, of the emigrant experience and of facing the challenges of that experience with authenticity and courage, and of living and seeing the sides of life that so many turn away from.”
Continuing: ”His words have connected Irish people all over the globe to their culture and history, encompassing so many human emotions in the most poetic of ways.”
His close friend and professional peer, Nick Cave, with whom he collaborated with on a cover of ‘What a Wonderful World’, commented to the BBC: ”A true friend and the greatest songwriter of his generation. A very sad day.”
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