Shane MacGowan biography

Synopsis

Shane MacGowan was born on December 25, 1957, in Kent, England, and raised in Ireland. Drawn to the punk music scene, he formed the folk-punk band the Pogues in 1982. The band gained fame by touring with the Clash. MacGowan brought a deeply emotional, Irish folk sensibility to the band with songs like "Fairytale of New York." Drug and alcohol problems caused MacGowan to be dismissed from the Pogues in 1991, but they have since regrouped and continue to perform.

Profile

Singer songwriter. Born December 25, 1957 in Kent, England. Raised in Ireland and London, Shane MacGowan showed talent as a poet and musician at a young age, though he was expelled for drug possession in his teens.

A fan of punk music, he founded the short-lived band the Nipple Erectors (also named The Nips) in 1976. In 1982, he formed the London-based band the Pogues along with Spider Stacy (tin whistle), James Fearnley (accordion), Cait O'Riordan (bass), Jem Finer (guitarist), and Andrew Rankin (drummer).

After Shane MacGowan and the Pogues toured with The Clash in the early '80s, the radical and often political band, released its debut album, Red Roses for Me, to critical acclaim. Their sophomore effort, Rum Sodomy & the Lash, was produced by Elvis Costello and widely praised.

In 1988, the Pogues released their most successful album, If I Should Fall From Grace With God, featuring the hit single "Fairytale of New York."

Soon after the release of the album, Shane MacGowan succumbed to alcoholism and drug addiction. The band was forced to dismiss MacGowan in 1991. In 1994, Shane MacGowan staged a comeback by founding a new band, The Popes, which released a well-reviewed debut album, The Snake. Follow-up albums include 1997's Crock of Gold and 2002's The Rare Oul' Stuff. MacGowan reunited with the Pogues and the band tours yearly.