Shane MacGowan on BBC4

I love the way that everyone thinks of Shane MacGowan as the typical lovable Irish drunk, when in fact he comes from Tunbridge Wells. Grew up in London and won a scholarship to go to Westminster School. He's a posh boy. Reality doesn't quite fit the image, does it.

Is that Tunbridge Wells, County Kent - the same place Disgusted comes from.

Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The very same.

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he comes from Tunbridge Wells. Grew up in London and won a scholarship to go to Westminster School. He's a posh boy. Reality doesn't quite fit the image, does it.

Its also complete urban myth shite!

He was born on Christmas Day 1957 and was only in England because his parents were visiting family for Christmas. He was brought up at home (obviously) in Ireland in a very much poverty stricken, traditional Irish Catholic community. His family came here as immigrants when he was in his teens which was when he won the scholarship to Westminster.

Read his biography. Its quite illuminating as is the documentary this thread is about. Its especially illuminating to people like you who spout this crap everytime MacGowan is mentioned in conversation.

Jonathan

Jonathan

Apologies, didn't mean to upset anybody. I've just put a Pogues CD on and am enjoying greatly. I will also watch the documentary. I admit knowing little or nothing about MacGowan, but would like to know more.

My quip about Disgusted was because I always think of the Radio 4 programme Disgusted, Tunbridge Wells, which was sort of points of view for radio, when anybody mentions Tunbridge Wells.

Once again, sorry if I caused offence.

Rotf

Ohh errr...that touched a nerve.

Wikipedia (just as an example) says he lived in England from the age of 6, but Wikipedia probably wasn't written by an adoring wet-knickered fan lost in some romance about working class Irish roots.

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an adoring wet-knickered fan lost in some romance about working class Irish roots

So you didn't watch the documentry then

Jonathan

I watched the documentary - quite enjoyed it. It was good to see and hear Christy Moore too.

Jonathan - No I didn't.*
I do think he is a great and talented poet though. I personally don't give a stuff about the personalities, it's the art that counts, and his is a rare talent although I'd rather read him than listen to him in a musical situation, but that's just me I guess. I think the gravity of his words are overlooked in song form; they need to be read and absorbed slowly as they are so well crafted.

(* I'm not a fan of biographies after reading a Neil Young jobbie where the guy stalked him for over a year and just made an ass of himself. He was a besotted worshiper and it was putrid. I didn't finish it)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rasher:
I do think he is a great and talented poet though.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

"so drunk to hell I left the place
Sometimes crawlin' sometimes walkin'
A hungry sound came across the breeze
So I gave the walls a talkin'
I heard the sound of long ago
Down by the old canal
And the birds were whistlin' in the trees
Where the wind was gently laughin' "

Agreed.