Shane MacGowan, leader of Celtic punk legends The Pogues, died on Thursday (11/30) at age 65. His wife Victoria Mary Clarke revealed the sad news on Instagram, writing:
I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to say it. Shane who will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love ❤️ of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese. I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love ❤️ and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures. There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world. Thank you thank you thank you thank you for your presence in this world you made it so very bright and you gave so much joy to so many people with your heart and soul and your music. You will live in my heart forever. Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ You meant the world to me.
The Pogues also posted their own statement, which reads:
A statement on behalf of Shane MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke, his sister Siobhan and father, Maurice.
It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announced 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 very sad time.
Shane had been dealing with health issues for years, though exact cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Prior to forming The Pogues, Shane fronted the punk band The Nips (aka The Nipple Erectors), and he led Shane MacGowan and The Popes in the ’90s.
Rest in peace, Shane.
