Shane MacGowan dies at 65

[jsteele]

Shane MacGowan, frontman for the Pogues, passed away at age 65.

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/1130/1419329-pogues-frontman-shane-macgowan-dies-aged-65/

The death has been announced of Pogues frontman and songwriter Shane MacGowan. He was 65 and had been ill for some time.

In a statement shared on social media, The Pogues wrote: "It is with the deepest of sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan.

"Shane died peacefully at 3am this morning with his wife Victoria and family by his side."

He will be missed.

[Anonymous]

Oh no!

I didn't realize he was so young, actually.

[Anonymous]

RIP to an absolute legend. He was a genius songwriter. His wife Victoria posted a lovely tribute on Instagram.

[Anonymous]

Here's one of my sweet favorites. RIP to both these artists.

[Anonymous]

Love the Pogues and his Christmas song (Fairytale of New York) is a classic!

[Anonymous]

I watched a quasi-documentary on him on YouTube (I'll try to dig it up).

Long story short: he really was a gifted lyricist and interesting person who exemplified a certain Irish spirit, and his music will live on for generations. In the documentary, someone says we will still be singing his songs one hundred years from now (this was in 1997), and Shane is perhaps the only Irishman we can say that about (even saying that nobody would suggest that about even Bono).

Sinead O'Connor comments in the film that he is so talented given what he produces when he's only firing on two cylinders instead of four (given his addiction). She sings one of his songs beautifully.

He was a timeless talent whose lyrics transcend time, cut from the same cloth as troubadours from times long ago.

My favorite part of the video I watched included him talking about his hardscrabble upbringing in what was essentially a rural shack without tv or even a stove, sleeping three to a bed. His response? He felt blessed to have grown up at a time that was quickly fading away, where people gathered to drink and sing and dance...a simpler time. He saw it as a blessing. His comments speak volumes about his perspective and the person he truly was. And his music was so authentic that it will live on forever.

May he RIP.

PS - Please go listen to his music--especially his less mainstream songs. The Christmas song is compelling, but it's not emblematic of his catalogue of music and timeless lyrics.

[Anonymous]

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=youtube+shane+macgowan+documentary&mid=89F1F88DB40B48CD7D1A89F1F88DB40B48CD7D1A&FORM=VIRE

Here's the documentary I referenced above.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know that his background was that bad. He grew up largely in England and got a scholarship to Westminster. I think there is a bit of mythologizing going on…

But in any case an amazing songwriter and, when functional, a great live performer. I saw them in the early 90s and it was one of thd best concerts I have been to, despite his state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know that his background was that bad. He grew up largely in England and got a scholarship to Westminster. I think there is a bit of mythologizing going on…

But in any case an amazing songwriter and, when functional, a great live performer. I saw them in the early 90s and it was one of thd best concerts I have been to, despite his state.

Apparently he was born in England but lived in Ireland until he was 6. That was the “hardscrabble” part, and it comes directly from him.

I don’t think anyone was as authentic as he was, so I don’t think he made it up.

He was apparently a really good guy. He always gave money to homeless people/addicts he encountered.

Switching gears: the fact that this thread has so little interaction/posts tells me either I’m really old and dcum posters are young…or they’re just not as “worldly” as I thought (or they think they are ;0)

I encourage everyone to go listen to his music…and read the lyrics. The guy was a gifted lyricist adored by many musicians.

[Anonymous]

Very sad to hear this.

[Anonymous]

May he RIP. Also, I will never forgive myself for missing this show:

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/441457/shane-macgowan-fallen-from-the-grace-of-god-and-still-knows-all-the-words/

[Anonymous]

I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know him and I read tons of Irish lit and poetry and know a fair amount about Irish musicians. Will look into him.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know him and I read tons of Irish lit and poetry and know a fair amount about Irish musicians. Will look into him.

I suggest using your favorite streaming service to listen the album, "Rum Sodomy & the Lash". It has a lot of the Pogues best songs. There are a few covers of Irish traditional songs on the album as well that you might recognize.

[Anonymous]

You can find most of his music on YouTube fur free. Plus you can find interviews and collabs with other musicians.

[Anonymous]

Greatest Christmas song ever. End of debate.