Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (Pembury, 25 December 1957 – Dublin, 30 November 2023) was an Irish singer and songwriter who was best known as the lead singer and songwriter of Celtic punk band the Pogues. Many of his songs were influenced by Irish nationalism, Irish history, the experiences of the Irish diaspora (particularly in England and the United States), and London life in general. He often cited the 19th-century Irish poet James Clarence Mangan and playwright Brendan Behan as influences.
Born in Kent, England, to Irish parents, MacGowan joined the punk band The Nipple Erectors before founding the Pogues in 1982. He drew upon his Irish heritage when founding The Pogues and changed his early punk style for a more traditional sound with tutoring from his extended family. Between 1985 and 1987, he co-wrote the Christmas hit singles "Fairytale of New York", which he performed with Kirsty MacColl. Other notable songs he performed with The Pogues include "Dirty Old Town", "Sally MacLennane" and "The Irish Rover". In the following years MacGowan and The Pogues released several albums including their most critically acclaimed album, If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988), which also marked the high point of the band's commercial success.
After The Pogues fired MacGowan for unprofessional behaviour mid-tour, he formed a new band, Shane MacGowan and The Popes, with whom he recorded two studio albums. In 2001, MacGowan rejoined The Pogues for reunion shows and remained with the group until 2014. MacGowan produced his own solo material and collaborated with artists such as The Dubliners, Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Steve Earle, Sinéad O'Connor and Ronnie Drew. Throughout his life MacGowan suffered physically from years of binge drinking. In 2001, MacGowan coauthored the autobiographical book A Drink with Shane MacGowan with his then partner, later wife, Victoria Mary Clarke.
It was reported in July 2023 that MacGowan was hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU). Following treatment for an infection, he was discharged in November. He made his last public statement on November 16, 2023, complimenting Travis Kelce's cover of "Fairytale of New York". MacGowan died, at home with his wife by his side, on 30 November 2023.
Following MacGowan's death, Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, said: "Shane will be remembered as one of music’s greatest lyricists. So many of his songs would be perfectly crafted poems, if that would not have deprived us of the opportunity to hear him sing them. 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."
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