Tributes have been paid to Shane MacGowan, who has died aged 65.
The Pogues' frontman had been ill for some time, and had stayed in hospital recently following a diagnosis of encephalitis.
A statement issued on behalf of MacGowan's wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, his sister, Siobhan, and father, Maurice, said: "It is with deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan Shane died peacefully at 3am this morning (30 November, 2023) with his wife Victoria and family by his side. Prayers and the last rites were read which gave comfort to his family."
— The Pogues (@poguesofficial) November 30, 2023
Posting on Instagram, Victoria Mary Clarke said he "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".
MacGowan had well-documented drug and alcohol problems over the years.
He was the lead singer of The Pogues from their founding in 1982 until their split in 2014.
The band had multiple Top 20 albums, including If I Should Fall From Grace With God (No.3, 1988), Peace And Love (No.5, 1989) and Hell’s Ditch (No.12, 1990), as well as greatest hits collections.
The Pogues cracked the singles Top 10 with The Irish Rover alongside the Dubliners in 1987, and followed that in the same year with what has become their signature hit, Fairytale Of New York featuring Kirsty MacColl. The single peaked at No.2 that year and has gone on to become a streaming perennial at Christmas.
Fairytale Of New York was already at No.24 in the most recent Midweeks, and could well reach the summit for the first time in December. The single is certified five times platinum and has post-1994 sales of 3,320,382.
Priscilla Kotey, SVP, Warner Music Ireland, said: "Shane MacGowan was in a class by himself. His extraordinary gift for music, zest for living and rebellious nature cemented him as an icon in Ireland and all around the world. He will continue to influence artists everywhere. This Christmas season will feel much darker without his charismatic, illuminating presence.
"We have lost some true Irish legends this year, but we can feel proud their amazing artistry transcended our isle, and that their incredible music will live on forever.”
Kevin Gore, president, global catalogue and Arts Music, Warner Music, said: “Warner Music has been blessed to work with Shane MacGowan for more than four decades. We are honoured to have helped share his passionate, ambitious music with the world. We will proudly celebrate his legacy for years to come.”
Universal Music Publishing Group UK MD Mike McCormack said: "The music world has lost one of its true poets today with Shane’s passing. Uncompromising, unconventional and unique as a frontman/lyricist – his songs will live on forever. I’m glad the Ivor Novello Awards recognised his brilliance by awarding him their Inspiration Award in 2018, so he knew just how much his music meant to other songwriters and fans. I’ll always remember him as a man who lived life on his own terms, a true artist and always fun to be in his company. God bless you Shane from all of us at UMPG and love, thoughts, prayers and condolences to Victoria, Gerry, his family and his many, many friends."
A documentary, Crock Of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan, was released in 2020.
MacGowan was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at a 60th birthday party in Dublin's National Concert Hall in 2018.
PHOTO: Getty Images/David Wolff-Patrick/Redferns
Fellow artists have paid tribute to Shane MacGowan on social media.
Farewell Shane MacGowan. A life lived to the full. A lyrical genius. An inspiration to so many of us who wanted to be in bands. I followed The Pogues to far flung places, met Shane a few times and watched some of the most exhilarating shows I’ve ever witnessed
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) November 30, 2023
???? Steve Pyke pic.twitter.com/gHrtDNwVDW
A big round of applause for the legend that was Shane McGowan who is sadly no longer with us. A pleasure to have known you.
— Glen Matlock (@GlenMatlock) November 30, 2023
RIP matey. X pic.twitter.com/lgKzOlpSO9
Shane MacGowan, Irish singer-songwriter and The Pogues frontman has sadly passed away.
— BBC Radio 6 Music (@BBC6Music) November 30, 2023
He formed the Irish punk band Pogue Mahone, later shortened to The Pogues, in 1982 and released seven studio albums.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/dps2CbEXig
Forever grateful to have had the opportunity of opening for the Pogues years ago. Shane was a lyrical god to me, always will be pic.twitter.com/YMddYhn8Fn
— Laura Jane Grace (@LauraJaneGrace) November 30, 2023
RIP Shane MacGowan - songwriting genius - first Sinead now Shane - we are the poorer
— Kevin Brennan MP (@KevinBrennanMP) November 30, 2023
RIP Shane MacGowan - here’s a snapshot from when our lives intersected in late 1976: the Evening Standard, 14 January 1977 pic.twitter.com/bJaEIQlWUI
— Jon Savage (@JonSavage1966) November 30, 2023
