Shane MacGowan health updates — The Pogues singer’s wife shares message after icon’s devastating encephalitis diagnosis
THE Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan's wife has shared a photo of the Fairytale of New York singer in the hospital along with a message of "love and prayers" to those who are "struggling."
In addition to thanking fans on X, formerly Twitter, Victoria Mary Clarke disclosed that she had recently had a visit from the singer's bandmates, Spider Stacy and Terry Woods.
Victoria wrote: "Love and prayers for everyone who is struggling right now [red heart emoji] hang in there!"
She also said, posting a new snap of the 65-year-old rocker, Victoria Mary said the star is "feeling much better today."
MacGowan, 65, is said to have been in critical care for the past several months.
He was diagnosed with viral encephalitis last year.
Follow our Shane MacGowan health updates blog for news and updates...
Receiving treatment for months
The 65-year-old singer has been undergoing treatment for viral encephalitis, a dangerous illness that causes swelling in the brain, for several months.
Since the diagnosis, Shane has been taken to the hospital many times.
It is believed that he was readmitted in June, although Victoria has not disclosed the precise cause of his admissions.
Why Shane is wheelchairbound
hane has been in a wheelchair since 2015 after he fell and fractured his pelvis when leaving a Dublin studio.
In an interview with at the time he said: "It was a fall and I fell the wrong way"
"I broke my pelvis, which is the worst thing you can do. I'm lame in one leg, I can't walk around the room without a crutch.
"I am getting better, but it's taking a very long time. It's the longest I've ever taken to recover from an injury. And I've had a lot of injuries."
More about The Pogues
In 1987 Shane co-wrote Fairytale of New York which he performed with Kirsty MacCall.
The Christmas single reached number one in the Irish charts and number two in the UK charts.
They also had a No8 hit with The Irish Rover and two top-five albums - If I Should Fall From Grace With God and Peace and Love.
About the formation of The Pogues
Drawing from his heritage in traditional Irish music, Shane founded The Pogues in 1982.
Shane on vocals, Peter "Spider" Tracy on tin whistle, and Jem Finer on banjo were the original members.
James Fearnley, the accordion player for the Nips, Andrew Ranken on drums, and Cait O'Riordan on bass completed the lineup.
The band's initial name, Pogue Mahone, was an anglicization of the phrase "kiss my arse," póg mo thóin.
Films that feature Shane MacGowan
Here are more films Shane MacGowan featured on:
- If I Should Fall From Grace: The Shane MacGowan Story – 2001
- The Clash: Westway to the World – 2002 (archive footage appearance as himself)
- The Story of Fairytale of New York – 2005
- The Libertine – 2005
- Harry Hill's TV Burp – 2007
- Harry Hill's TV Burp – 2010
- The Pogues in Paris: 30th Anniversary concert at the Olympia (DVD) (November 2012)
- Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan - 2020
Films that feature Shane MacGowan
Here are the films Shane MacGowan featured on:
- The Punk Rock Movie – 1979 (archive footage appearance as himself)
- Eat the Rich – 1987
- Straight to Hell – 1987
- The Pogues - Live at the Town & Country – 1988
- The Ghosts of Oxford Street – 1991
- Shane MacGowan & The Popes: Live at Appalachia 1995 – 1995
- The Great Hunger: The Life and Songs of Shane MacGowan – 1997
- The Filth and the Fury – 2000 (archive footage appearance as himself)
Songs that feature Shane MacGowan
Here are the songs Shane MacGowan featured on:
- What a Wonderful World (with Nick Cave, 1992)
- The Church of the Holy Spook (with The Popes, 1994)
- That Woman's Got Me Drinking (with The Popes, 1994)
- Haunted (with Sinéad O'Connor, 1995)
- My Way (1996)
- I Put a Spell on You (Haiti Charity Song) (with Nick Cave, Bobby Gillespie, Chrissie Hynde, Mick Jones with actor Johnny Depp, Glen Matlock, Paloma Faith and Eliza Doolittle) (2010)
Albums that feature Shane MacGowan, part two
Here are the albums Shane MacGowan released with The Popes:
- The Snake (1994)
- The Crock of Gold (October 1997)
- The Rare Oul' Stuff (2001 / January 2002)
- Across the Broad Atlantic: Live on Paddy's Day — New York and Dublin (with Shane MacGowan and the Popes, February 2002)
Albums that feature Shane MacGowan
Here are the albums Shane MacGowan released with The Pogues:
- Red Roses for Me (October 1984)
- Rum Sodomy & the Lash (August 1985)
- If I Should Fall from Grace with God (January 1988)
- Peace and Love (1989)
- Hell's Ditch (1990)
- The Pogues in Paris: 30th Anniversary concert at the Olympia (November 2012)
Everything you need to know about Victoria Mary Clarke
Born on January 11, 1966, Victoria Mary Clarke is a writer and journalist from Ireland.
She has contributed articles to several British and Irish newspapers and periodicals.
Growing up in the Irish countryside, Clarke attended Renaniree's national school.
Her mother, who was born in Herbert Park, became pregnant at the age of 19 with Victoria.
About Shane's relationship with wife Victoria
Following an 11-year engagement and a decade-long romance, MacGowan married Irish journalist Victoria Mary Clarke.
They wed in Copenhagen on November 26, 2018.
Currently, they reside in Dublin.
Some of MacGowan's other previous pursuits
MacGowan and Victoria Mary Clarke coauthored the autobiographical book A Drink with Shane MacGowan in 2001.
MacGowan made an appearance on December 28, 2008, in an episode of Fair City.
As he and his now-wife Victoria Mary Clarke attempted to grow their own food in their own garden in 2009, MacGowan participated in the RTÉ reality show Victoria and Shane Grow Their Own.
In order to fund the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's services, MacGowan offered to auction off a unique work of art in 2010—a painting on a living room door.
In the end, the organization received €1,602 from it.
Major comeback in 2019
On June 13, 2019, MacGowan returned to the stage as a guest of Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders at Dublin's RDS Arena.
MacGowan was scheduled to appear on July 7th with a number of guests for the Feis Liverpool 2019 finale, following the success of Feis Liverpool 2018's finale, which featured him alongside Imelda May, Paddy Moloney, Albert Hammond Jr., and many more.
However, the event was ultimately cancelled due to a lack of ticket sales and funding issues.
According to reports, MacGowan went back into the studio in 2020 to record a few new songs with the Irish indie band Cronin, which is headed by brothers Johnny and Mick Cronin.
Bringing up The Shane Gang
The year 2010 saw MacGowan perform on-demand in Dublin with a new five-piece supporting group called The Shane Gang.
The group featured Paul Byrne on drums and Jack Dublin on bass from In Tua Nua, along with manager Joey Cashman on whistle.
This lineup travelled to Lanzarote in November 2010 to begin recording a new album.
More from MacGowan beyond The Pogues
MacGowan was ranked 50th on the NME Rock Heroes List in 2006.
He frequently appeared alongside Pete Doherty, the singer of Babyshambles, and The Libertines.
MacGowan has taken the stage with Babyshambles.
Known for his roles in music videos such as That Woman's Got Me Drinking with Johnny Depp and Live at the Town and Country Club.(1988) with Joe Strummer, MacGowan was described as "one of the best writers of the century" in an interview.
Beyond The Pogues
In 1992, Macgowan formed the band Shane Macgowan and The Popes.
In addition to touring abroad, the trio released two studio albums, a live CD, three tracks for The Popes Outlaw Heaven (2010), a live DVD, and a live DVD.
MacGowan had an appearance on Lou Reed's Perfect Day in 1997, which was recorded by several musicians to benefit Children in Need.
It spent three weeks—two distinct spells—at the top of the UK single charts.
With over a million copies sold, the song helped the charity raise the most money in six years.
Shane MacGowan and The Popes had a lengthy tour of the UK, Ireland, and Europe from December 2003 to May 2005.
The start of The Pogues
When starting The Pogues, MacGowan drew on his Irish background, modifying his early punk approach to a more traditional sound.
Irish nationalism, Irish history, the experiences of the Irish diaspora (especially in England and the US), and ordinary London life all have an impact on many of his compositions.
The biography Rake at the Gates of Hell: Shane MacGowan in Context contains information on these inspirations.
He has frequently mentioned dramatist Brendan Behan and Irish poet James Clarence Mangan from the 19th century as inspirations.
He co-wrote Fairytale of New York between 1985 and 1987, and he performed it alongside Kirsty MacColl.
MacGowan and The Pogues recorded more albums in the next years.
Growing up MacGowan, part two
MacGowan attended an English public school while residing in several regions of southeast England, including Brighton, London, and the home counties.
He received a scholarship to Westminster School and graduated from Langton Green, Kent's Holmewood House Prep School in 1971 for two years.
Future Mo-dettes bassist Jane Crockford broke his earlobe at a London punk music band The Clash performance in 1976, which is when he was first made publically famous.
Soon afterwards, he became a member of the punk band The Nipple Erectors, which eventually became known as The Nips, together with Shanne Bradley.
Growing up MacGowan
MacGowan, the son of Irish immigrants, was born in Pembury, Kent.
His mother was from Tipperary, while his father was from Dublin. Therese, his mother, was a singer, traditional Irish dancer, and model before she became a typist at a convent.
Attributed to a middle-class upbringing, his father Maurice worked as a "local roustabout" in the department retailer C&A's offices.
Siobhan MacGowan, the younger sister of MacGowan, went on to work as a writer, journalist, and songwriter.
Although reared in Tipperary, Ireland, until he was six years old, he was born in England.
What to know about Shane MacGowan
Singer and songwriter Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan was born on December 25, 1957.
He was the main vocalist and composer of the Celtic punk band the Pogues.
He was born in Kent, England, to Irish parents. Along with creating his own solo music and working with musicians including Kirsty MacColl, Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Steve Earle, Johnny Depp, Sinéad O'Connor, and Ronnie Drew, he was also a member of the Nipple Erectors and Shane MacGowan and the Popes.
Horror accident left Shane wheelchair-bound
Rocker Shane has been confined to a wheelchair for a number of years after suffering a horrific fall that broke his pelvis.
In 2016, MacGowan had a fall that shattered his pelvis, broke his knee, tore ligaments in his left knee, and he has never fully healed from those injuries.
Fans and friends flood Victoria's socials
Pals and fans have flooded Victoria's social media with well wishes for Shane.
One said: "Shane please be strong mate..... As I said before you are a legend...... A true poetic orator songwriter and singer..... Please get better mate......... Please."
Another wrote: "God’s speed to get you back home settled and cosy for a beautiful Christmas. That is my Christmas wish for this year. Sending you all my love and strength as always."
Victoria on love
Victoria, 57, said that sometimes when you "love very deeply" you will "find yourself facing terrifying fears of loss" that can feel "so big and devastating you don't know how to survive them."
She continued: "You can't imagine life without this person that you love.
"It's in these moments when you are staring into the abyss that you have an opportunity to expand your consciousness beyond the limitations of your mind.
"You have an opportunity to discover more of who you really are and more of who your soul really is and more of your connection with this person who you love."
'Love is the most beautiful and powerful thing'
In a heartfelt message to fans in recent days, she said: "Love is the most beautiful and powerful thing that we can experience as humans but love can also feel painful especially if you are afraid of losing a person or anything else that you love.
"The really really big challenge that we all face is to go beyond what our minds think are the limits of love and what love really is.
"A lot of the time that thing we call love can more accurately be described as attachment or desire or need or longing or closeness or connection.
"And all of these are totally valuable and human and we need to acknowledge and appreciate and accept every part of our experience."
Massive thank-you to Shane's bandmates
Victioria previously revealed her gratitude for Shane's celeb pals visiting him in hospital during his health battle.
She said: "I just wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone who has been messaging me and @ShaneMacGowan and thank you @spiderstacy and Terry Woods for coming to visit him.
"Love and prayers for everyone who is struggling right now. Hang in there!"