As lead singer of The Pogues and as a solo artist, Shane MacGowan is a defining figure of modern Irish music. Among the greatest songwriters of his generation, he has infused traditional Irish folk with the spirit of punk and a bleary-eyed romanticism, to create a compelling and unique musical brew.
In this comprehensive study of MacGowan, Joe Merrick traces the life of this complex figure from his childhood in England and Tipperary, through The Pogues' success and subsequent painful break-up before bringing the story up to date with an evaluation of MacGowan's solo career.
It is an incredible story, sometimes sad, sometimes wonderful, and often soaked in a mixture of alcohol and genius.
