Shane MacGowan: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (born December 25, 1957) is an Irish musician. He was singer and one-time leader of The Pogues, an Anglo/Irish punk/folk band popular in the 1980s.

Despite his relatively recent promotion to Irish National Treasure, Shane was actually born in Kent, England, has spent most of his life in London, and speaks with a strong North London accent.

He had a keen interest in music as a child, and was inspired by The Sex Pistols to form his own band, called The Nipple Erectors, for whom he wrote the sublime Gabrielle.

In the wake of punk, Shane drew on his Irish heritage to create The Pogues. He wrote many songs of astonishing, dazzling beauty.

He's an avid proponent of drugs and alcohol, occasionally qualifying his endorsement by saying that he 'has the constitution for it' where others might not.

Since leaving The Pogues, he has formed a new band - Shane MacGowan and The Popes, and still records and tours.

His sister is Siobhan MacGowan, a songwriter in her own right as well as painter.