MacGowan, Shane

Shane MacGowan (1957-) is a singer-songwriter and frontman of the band The Pogues.

Shane MacGowan was born in Kent, England to Irish parents.

Since founding The Pogues in 1982, he has collaborated with artists including Kirsty MacColl, Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, Sinéad O'Connor, and Ronnie Drew.

From 1992 to 2005, he performed as Shane MacGowan and The Popes.

The Pogues released their debut album 'Red Roses for Me' in 1984. This was soon followed by 'Rum Sodomy & the Lash' (1985) and subsequent albums 'If I Should Fall from Grace with God' (1988), Peace and Love (1989) and Hell's Ditch (1990). In 1986, the band's song 'Streets of Sorrow' about the Birmingham Six was banned in Britain.

In 2012, the band released 'The Pogues in Paris: 30th Anniversary Concert at the Olympia'.

Shane MacGowan achieved international acclaim for the song "Fairytale of New York" co-written with fellow member of The Pogues Jem Finer and performed with Kirsty MacColl.

He has also appeared in a number of films including 'Straight to Hell'. He co-authored the autobiographical 'A Drink with Shane MacGowan' with his then partner now wife Victoria Mary Clarke. RTÉ television appearances included The Late Late Show and Megamix and a guest appearance on the soap Fair City in 2008.