Shane MacGowan was an Irish musician and songwriter who was best known as the lead singer of the Celtic punk band The Pogues. He was born on December 25, 1957 in Kent, England, to Irish parents. He died on November 30, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. He was influenced by his Irish heritage, literature, and music.
He started his musical career with the punk band The Nipple Erectors in 1976, and then formed The Pogues in 1982. He wrote and performed many songs that reflected Irish history, nationalism, diaspora, and London life.
Some of his most famous songs include “Fairytale of New York”, “Dirty Old Town”, “Sally MacLennane”, and “The Irish Rover”. He also collaborated with artists such as Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Steve Earle, Sinéad O’Connor, and Ronnie Drew. He received a 2018 Ivor Novello Inspiration Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan |
| Date of birth | December 25, 1957 |
| Date of death | November 30, 2023 |
| Place of birth | Pembury, Kent, England |
| Place of death | Dublin, Ireland |
| Height | About 5 feet 8 inches |
| Parents | Maurice and Therese MacGowan |
| Siblings | Siobhan MacGowan |
| Spouse | Victoria Mary Clarke |
| Net worth | Around $25 million |
| Genres | Celtic punk, Celtic rock, folk punk, folk rock |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano, banjo |
| Years active | 1977–2020 |
| Formerly of | The Pogues, Shane MacGowan and The Popes, The Nipple Erectors, The Shane Gang |
| Notable songs | “Fairytale of New York”, “Dirty Old Town”, “Sally MacLennane”, “The Irish Rover” |
| Awards | 2018 Ivor Novello Inspiration Award, 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish Post, 2008 Meteor Music Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Music |
| Controversies | Alcohol and drug abuse, political views, behavior, language |
| Interesting facts | Born on Christmas Day, named after the movie Shane, influenced by literature and music, had a distinctive voice and dental hygiene, supported the IRA and Tottenham Hotspur |
Early Life
He grew up in Tipperary, Ireland, until the age of six, and then moved to various parts of England. He attended Holmewood House School and Westminster School, but was expelled for drug use. He had a nervous breakdown at 17 and was hospitalized for six months.
Career
He formed The Nipple Erectors in 1976, and then The Pogues in 1982. He recorded five studio albums with The Pogues, but was fired in 1991 for unprofessional behavior. He then formed Shane MacGowan and The Popes, and recorded two studio albums. He rejoined The Pogues in 2001 for reunion shows, and remained with them until 2014. He also produced solo material and collaborated with other artists. He appeared in the film Eat the Rich in 1987.
Net worth: His estimated net worth was around $25 million.
Relationships: He was married to Victoria Mary Clarke, a journalist and author, since 2018. They had a long-term relationship since the 1980s.
Family: His parents were Maurice and Therese MacGowan. His father was from Dublin and his mother was from Tipperary. His mother was a singer, dancer, and model. His father was a wages clerk. He had a sister, Siobhan MacGowan, who was a journalist, writer, and songwriter.
Social media presence: He had a Twitter account, @shanemacgowan, with over 100,000 followers. He also had a website, shanemacgowan.com, where he posted news, photos, videos, and merchandise.
Interesting facts
He was born on Christmas Day, and his first name was inspired by the movie Shane. He had a passion for literature, and was influenced by writers such as Brendan Behan, James Joyce, and Flann O’Brien. He had a distinctive voice and style of singing, which was often slurred and unintelligible. He had a notorious dental hygiene, and lost most of his teeth due to alcohol and drug abuse. He underwent a dental surgery in 2015 to get new teeth. He was a supporter of the Irish Republican Army, and was arrested several times for public disorder. He was a fan of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
Controversy
He was involved in many controversies throughout his career, mainly due to his alcohol and drug abuse, his political views, and his behavior. Some of the controversies were:
He was arrested several times for public disorder, assault, and possession of drugs. He was fined, jailed, and banned from driving on different occasions.
He was fired from The Pogues in 1991, after he failed to show up for several concerts and recording sessions. He was also accused of being unreliable, unprofessional, and difficult to work with. He later sued the band for royalties and damages, and settled out of court in 1997.
He was criticized for his support of the Irish Republican Army, a paramilitary group that fought for the independence of Northern Ireland from the UK. He wore a T-shirt with the slogan “IRA: Undefeated Army” at a concert in 1988, and defended the IRA’s actions in interviews. He also wrote songs that praised the IRA, such as “The Broad Majestic Shannon” and “Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six”.
He was accused of racism and homophobia, after he made offensive remarks about black people, Jews, and gay people in various interviews. He also used racial and homophobic slurs in some of his songs, such as “Fairytale of New York” and “Transmetropolitan”. He denied being racist or homophobic, and claimed that he was misunderstood or misquoted.
FAQs
He died on November 30, 2023, in Dublin, Ireland. The cause of death was not disclosed, but he had been suffering from health problems for years.
His most famous song was “Fairytale of New York”, which he co-wrote and performed with Kirsty MacColl. It was released in 1987 as part of The Pogues’ album If I Should Fall from Grace with God. It was a Christmas song that depicted a bitter dialogue between a couple of Irish immigrants in New York. It was a critical and commercial success, and became a classic holiday song in the UK and Ireland
He received a 2018 Ivor Novello Inspiration Award, which recognized his contribution to British music as a songwriter. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish Post in 2016, and a Meteor Music Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Music in 2008. He was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 1996 for The Snake, his first solo album.
He was influenced by a variety of musical genres and artists, such as Irish folk, punk rock, country, blues, rock and roll, and reggae. Some of his musical influences were The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Bob Marley
They got married on November 26, 2018, in Copenhagen, Denmark. They had a private ceremony at a registry office, followed by a reception at a hotel. They were joined by their family and friends, including Johnny Depp, who played guitar at the wedding. They had been together for over 30 years, and had a turbulent relationship marked by break-ups, reconciliations, and addiction issues.
Conclusion
Shane MacGowan was one of the most influential and controversial figures in Irish music. He was a prolific and talented songwriter, who blended Irish folk and punk rock to create a unique and powerful sound. He was also a charismatic and passionate performer, who captivated audiences with his voice and style. He was admired by many fans and musicians, who praised his authenticity, creativity, and originality. He was also a troubled and tormented soul, who struggled with addiction, health, and personal issues. He was often criticized for his political views, his behavior, and his language. He died at the age of 65, leaving behind a legacy of music and controversy.
