R.I.P. Shane MacGowan

[John]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67546785

He's been ill for a while, and I think a lot of people are surprised he's been around this long. Could this great track be a contender for this year's no 1?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8

[Colin B]

Both lead vocalists on this regular Xmas charter are now deceased.

Very sad.

[elvislady]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67546785

He's been ill for a while, and I think a lot of people are surprised he's been around this long. Could this great track be a contender for this year's no 1?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8

Very sad...one of my favourite songs around Xmas.

[Mister Moon]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

[Yin Yang]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

Amy Winehouse was a very good singer. Unfortunately she hang around with the wrong crowd and got hooked on drugs and alcohol.

[John]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

[Mister Moon]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

From the outside, it looked like the main thing was not the music they made, but secondary stuff. The Sex Pistols would be another example.

[Yin Yang]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

From the outside, it looked like the main thing was not the music they made, but secondary stuff. The Sex Pistols would be another example.

The same happened to Elvis. It was always about his wild moves on stage and his bad influence on the youth with his devil's music.

[Colin B]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues.
I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism,
rather than about their music.
Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

From the outside, it looked like the main thing was not the music they made, but secondary stuff.
The Sex Pistols would be another example.

The same happened to Elvis. It was always about his wild moves on stage and his bad influence on the youth with his devil's music.

His stage movements did draw a lot of attention, but as far as the music goes, he did have a fantastic run with those great early RCA singles...

[John]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

From the outside, it looked like the main thing was not the music they made, but secondary stuff. The Sex Pistols would be another example.

I didn't know anything about Shane, but obviously now with the advent of his death, there is so much in the media about him, and I have to say, I've learned a lot about the poet, the genius, the man. Obviously he had his demons, and sadly he became addicted to booze and drugs. It was an illness he could not overcome. His alcoholism was not purported, it was all too real.

[Mister Moon]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

From the outside, it looked like the main thing was not the music they made, but secondary stuff. The Sex Pistols would be another example.

I didn't know anything about Shane, but obviously now with the advent of his death, there is so much in the media about him, and I have to say, I've learned a lot about the poet, the genius, the man. Obviously he had his demons, and sadly he became addicted to booze and drugs. It was an illness he could not overcome. His alcoholism was not purported, it was all too real.

Yes, and right from the start it was the main selling point of this band. I remember that clearly.

In the old days, it was not in the public domain when a star had x addictions. It was kept away from the crowd.

[John]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

From the outside, it looked like the main thing was not the music they made, but secondary stuff. The Sex Pistols would be another example.

I didn't know anything about Shane, but obviously now with the advent of his death, there is so much in the media about him, and I have to say, I've learned a lot about the poet, the genius, the man. Obviously he had his demons, and sadly he became addicted to booze and drugs. It was an illness he could not overcome. His alcoholism was not purported, it was all too real.

Yes, and right from the start it was the main selling point of this band. I remember that clearly.

In the old days, it was not in the public domain when a star had x addictions. It was kept away from the crowd.

I think it would have been difficult to hide his problems from the crowd, but was it the selling point?

He seems to have been true to his art, and his talent. Sadly he, and that "Winehouse gal" were ill, as is anyone addicted to drink or drugs. Addiction is a disease, of that there is no doubt.

[Mister Moon]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

From the outside, it looked like the main thing was not the music they made, but secondary stuff. The Sex Pistols would be another example.

I didn't know anything about Shane, but obviously now with the advent of his death, there is so much in the media about him, and I have to say, I've learned a lot about the poet, the genius, the man. Obviously he had his demons, and sadly he became addicted to booze and drugs. It was an illness he could not overcome. His alcoholism was not purported, it was all too real.

Yes, and right from the start it was the main selling point of this band. I remember that clearly.

In the old days, it was not in the public domain when a star had x addictions. It was kept away from the crowd.

I think it would have been difficult to hide his problems from the crowd, but was it the selling point?

He seems to have been true to his art, and his talent. Sadly he, and that "Winehouse gal" were ill, as is anyone addicted to drink or drugs. Addiction is a disease, of that there is no doubt.

It's a disease, right. The fact that x artist is addicted to this or that is not my business. It can help me understand their art, if we are talking about a favourite artist, but it's secondary to me. Nowadays, it seems to be the main thing, and the art is considered later, if at all. I think this is sad.

[John]

Many years ago I knew a guy who was a big fan of The Pogues. I didn't like their music at all, and I found somewhat boring and vulgar the fact that he was always speaking about their purported alcoholism, rather than about their music. Same happened elsewhere years later with that Winehouse gal.

A bunch of hype, if you ask me.

In what way was it hype?

From the outside, it looked like the main thing was not the music they made, but secondary stuff. The Sex Pistols would be another example.

I didn't know anything about Shane, but obviously now with the advent of his death, there is so much in the media about him, and I have to say, I've learned a lot about the poet, the genius, the man. Obviously he had his demons, and sadly he became addicted to booze and drugs. It was an illness he could not overcome. His alcoholism was not purported, it was all too real.

Yes, and right from the start it was the main selling point of this band. I remember that clearly.

In the old days, it was not in the public domain when a star had x addictions. It was kept away from the crowd.

I think it would have been difficult to hide his problems from the crowd, but was it the selling point?

He seems to have been true to his art, and his talent. Sadly he, and that "Winehouse gal" were ill, as is anyone addicted to drink or drugs. Addiction is a disease, of that there is no doubt.

It's a disease, right. The fact that x artist is addicted to this or that is not my business. It can help me understand their art, if we are talking about a favourite artist, but it's secondary to me. Nowadays, it seems to be the main thing, and the art is considered later, if at all. I think this is sad.

I'm not aware of it being the main thing. Mind you, maybe it's because I don't keep up with modern singers too much.

[Colin B]

Addiction can be described as a 'disease' - but its a mental health condition that is the root cause.