Pete Doherty hails “bulletproof” Shane MacGowan as one of the best lyricists of “the last 30 or 40 years”

nme.com:

Pete Doherty has paid tribute to Shane MacGowan, remembering him as one of the best lyricists of “the last 30 or 40 years”.The Pogues frontman died yesterday (November 30) following several months receiving hospital treatment.

He was aged 65. The news was confirmed in a joint statement by his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, as well as his sister Siobhan and father Maurice.MacGowan had been ill for some time and had been discharged from hospital last week, where he had been staying since June after being admitted to intensive care for an unspecified health issue.

He was hospitalised in early December 2022 with encephalitis.Now, following news of his passing fellow musician and friend Pete Doherty has paid tribute to the “bulletproof” singer, and recalled the years of memories they had together.“I knew he was ill but I thought he was bulletproof,” The Libertines’ frontman told BBC World Service’s Newshour last night (November 30).

He also added that he not only “loved and respected” MacGowan, he also considered him “up there in the top three or four lyricists in the last 30 or 40 years”.“[He was] kind of an old romantic, who told tales, told stories in songs, strong characters.