Peter Doherty paid tribute to Shane MacGowan, who died on November 30th. The singer said he not only “loved and respected” MacGowan, but also considered him “among the three or four best songwriters of the last 30 or 40 years.”
Doherty thought MacGowan was “bulletproof”
In the interview with BBC World Service’s Newshour that one here Doherty says he knew about MacGowan’s death but always believed he was “bulletproof.” He highlights the shared experiences and support he received from MacGowan during difficult times. He also talks about a time when the drug crack and supermodel Kate Moss still played a role in Doherty’s life – and how he spent time with MacGowan back then.
The two bands (The Libertines and The Pogues) performed together several times throughout the 2010s, including a performance by MacGowan with The Libertines in Dublin in 2015 for a rendition of “Don’t Look Back Into The Sun”.
Libertines member Carl Barat also shared his memories of singer-songwriter MacGowan on Instagram: “We are so sad to hear of Shane’s passing. His storytelling enriched our world infinitely, as did the nights we spent with him,” reads the caption, which also features a photo of the band with MacGowan. “As an artist he was untouchable and will always be with us. Our hearts go out to everyone who knew him.”
Less than a year ago, Doherty appeared on The Last Leg, singing part of The Pogues’ “Dirty Old Town” in Ukrainian, to mark one year since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan died at the age of 65 after several months in hospital. In early December 2022, he was hospitalized with encephalitis. News of his death was confirmed in a joint statement by his wife Victoria Mary Clarke, his sister Siobhan and his father Maurice.
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