NWR RIP Shane McGowan

Never has the phrase “after a long illness” seemed more appropriate - reports of Shane’s decline and imminent departure seem to have been frequent since about 1990.

The period of his creative peak with The Pogues more or less coincided with my student years and I saw them a lot, from Scunthorpe to Detroit. At their peak, with Shane functional, there was nothing like a Pogues gig - lots of happy memories. I too will raise a glass.
 
Great singer, songwriter and character. It's quite amazing that he has lived this long given the abuse he put his body through. Many more restrained musicians have died at a younger age. In fact, after doing a bit of internet research, the most common age for "pop" musicians to die is 56. So he did pretty well.
 
The obituary sequence in the Times online a strange juxtaposition - Kissinger and Charlie Munger in the “grand old age” category and then Shane & Alistair. I had not read Will Hodgkinson’s relatively recent interview with him. Quite touching and portraying a very different side to his character all due to Victoria Mary Clarke who probably did most to keep him alive so long. His panic when she didn’t stay for the interview and asking her if he could smoke a joint.

If FTONY is Christmas #1 will be first time ever which would be ironic but good for the estates of both singers.
 
Peter Webb said:
If FTONY is Christmas #1 will be first time ever which would be ironic but good for the estates of both singers.
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Certainly for MacGowan and Jem Finer's royalties income, as joint composers/songwriters. Not sure what sort of contract Kirsty MacColl worked for?

Also heard that John Byrne died yesterday.
 
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