Shane MacGowan

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Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (born December 25, 1957) is an English-born Irish musician. He is best known as the original singer and songwriter with The Pogues, and is considered one of the most important and poetic Irish songwriters of the last thirty years[citation needed], often echoing his influences such as Irish playwright Brendan Behan and songwriter Dominic Behan in his writing style.

History

MacGowan was born in Tunbridge Wells in Kent while his Irish parents, Maurice and Therese, were visiting relatives. His parents lived in many parts of the South-East of England, including Brighton and London, but Shane spent the first six years of his life at his mother's family home in Carney, near Nenagh, County Tipperary. While there, he became completely immersed in the traditional music of Irish culture. His mother was a singer and traditional dancer and had worked as a model in Dublin. His father was very interested in literature and writing. In 1971, Shane earned a musical scholarship and was accepted into Westminster School. Shane was found in possession of drugs and was expelled in his second year[1]. MacGowan got his first taste of fame when, in 1976 at a Clash concert, his earlobe was bitten by a girl he had previously been kissing. A photographer snapped a picture of him covered in blood and it made the papers[2], with the headline "Cannibalism At Clash Gig", turning him into a local punk legend. Shortly after this, he formed his own punk rock band, The Nipple Erectors, later renamed to the "The Nips". He also tried busking at Covent Garden but found little success.

Fame

MacGowan drew on his Irish heritage to create The Pogues, a band that he founded, though was away from for a long period in the 1990s. Many of his songs are influenced by Irish nationalism, Irish history, the experiences of the Irish in London and the USA and London life in general. MacGowan has often cited the 19th century Irish poet James Clarence Mangan, as well as author/poet/playwright Brendan Behan, as influences.

After leaving The Pogues, he formed a new band, Shane MacGowan and The Popes. He no longer plays with them and has recently had several successful reunion tours through 2007 with The Pogues.

In 1997, MacGowan appeared on Lou Reed's "Perfect Day", covered by numerous artists in aid of Children in Need. The single entered the charts at number one.

The Pogues and MacGowan re-formed for a sell-out tour in 2001 and re-formed again in 2004, 2005, and 2006 for further sell-out tours, including headline slots at Guilfest (UK) and the Azkena Rock Festival (Spain). In 2005, the Pogues re-released "Fairytale of New York", one of their signature songs, to raise funds for the Justice For Kirsty Campaign and Crisis At Christmas. The single was the best selling festive themed single of 2005, reaching #3 in the UK Singles Charts.

In 2006, he was voted 50th in the NME Rock Heroes List. He has been seen many times with former Libertines and current Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty. Many have drawn strong comparisons between the two and they are close friends; MacGowan has joined Babyshambles on stage. Other famous friend of Shane is Johnny Depp, and, of course, Joe Strummer who refered to Shane as one of the best writers of the century and who would occasionally join the Pogues on stage.

His sister is Siobhan MacGowan, journalist, writer and songwriter, who released her own critically acclaimed album, 'Chariot', in 1998. She has written her first novel, for children, 'Etain's Dream'.

In early March 2007 it was confirmed MacGowan was set to marry his long time girl friend Victoria Mary Clarke.

In 2000 "Is Shane MacGowan still alive?" was used as the title of a humorous book about the Irish in Britain by Tim Bradford [1]

Selected discography

The Nips/Nipple Erectors

The Pogues Singles

Solo singles

Guest appearance

LPs

Filmography

References

  1. ^ Rogan, Johny (1998-09-26). "Rebel yell". The Irish Post. Retrieved 2007-02-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ Fortnum, Ian (1997-01). "It's a long way from Tipperary". VOX. Retrieved 2007-02-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ "imdb". 2002-12-09. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Shane MacGowan.

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