Pogues singer Shane MacGowan dies aged 65.

Pogues singer Shane MacGowan dies

Shane MacGowan, lead singer of London punk band The Pogues, has died aged 65 after recently being hospitalized with encephalitis. The singer was diagnosed with encephalitis at the end of 2022.

Formed in 1982, the Pogues enjoyed great success throughout the ’80s and ’90s. During his time with the Pogues, MacGowan helped create their first five studio albums: Red Roses for Me (1984), Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985), If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988) et Peace and Love (1989).

The fight against alcoholism and drug addiction

In the 1990s, MacGowan struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction. After a series of absences, the group decided to fire him in 1991. MacGowan already had a history of substance abuse, but in 2016 his wife Victoria Mary Clarke confirmed that he was sober “for the first time in years.” years”.

Statement from Victoria Mary Clarke on the death of Shane MacGowan

“I don’t know how to say it, so I’ll just say it. Shane, who will always be the light that I keep before me and the measure of my dreams, the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel, the sun and the moon and the beginning and the end of everything who is dear to me, left to be with Jesus, Mary and his mother-in-law Thérèse.

I am blessed beyond words to have met him, to have loved him and to have been loved infinitely and unconditionally by him, to have experienced so many years of life, of love, of joy , fun, laughter and so much adventure. There are no words to describe the loss I feel and the longing for just one of his smiles to light up my world. Thank you thank you thank you thank you for your presence in this world, you made it so bright and you brought so much joy to so many people with your heart, your soul and your music. You will live forever in my heart. Dance in the rain-soaked garden that you loved so much. You meant the world to me.”