Shane MacGowan dies aged 65

The Pogues’ lead singer and songwriter Shane MacGowan has died, his family have announced.

A statement read: “It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviset of hearts that we annouce 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. He is survived by his wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan and his father Maurice, family and a large circle of friends. Further details will be announced shortly but the family ask for privacy at this time”.

The Pogues released seven albums between 1984 and 1996 before MacGowan formed The Popes who were active for most of the 1990s. The Pogues reunited in 2001 and toured on and off for over a decade. Shane will be best remembered by the public at large for The Pogues’ 1987 single with Kirsty MacColl, ‘Fairy Tale of New York’.

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