Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp has appeared to have left a poignant tribute to his close friend Shane MacGowan who recently passed away after a long health battle.
The actor and musician is renowned for keeping company of some of the greatest rockstars and writers of our time, and was known to be a close friend of The Pogues frontman.
Johnny joined Shane to sing ‘That Woman’s Got Me Drinking’ in 1994.
Tributes and messages of condolences have since been pouring in online as well as in the book of condolences section of RIP.ie.
My deepest condolences to Shane MacGowan’s family and friends 🤍
— Johnny Depp’s Warrior (@johndeppwarrior) November 30, 2023
I loved learning more about him by watching Crock of Gold, a documentary produced by close friend Johnny Depp 🇮🇪
Here is a clip where Shane simply says what we are all thinking 💭 pic.twitter.com/48h7eKlXoS
One message was from a certain Johnny Depp.
The message reads: "Shane, my friend in life and in whiskey. May the wind be at your sails. Keep River company and all our brethren who passed way before their time.
"I’ll never forget your support the last few years chum. LOVE Always, JD." — Johnny Depp.
The pair were understood to have been friends for more than 30 years, with Johnny Depp previously sharing he met Shane in a pub, with a pint in one hand and a guitar in the other.
In 2020, Depp produced a documentary on MacGowan’s career titled, Crock of Gold — A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan.
Shane MacGowan - the man, the legend
Known for his music with The Pogues, he has been lauded as perhaps the most important Irish writer since James Joyce.
MacGowan was always open about his battle with addiction.
After a performance with singer Sinead O'Connor in 2000 he was reported to the police for his heroin habit. He credited this with saving his life.
Famous for his mouthful of rotten teeth, in 2015 he underwent extensive dental surgery to replace them with implants.
MacGowan, remembering how he once got drunk with a bunch of fishermen in Greece with glittering smiles, insisted on having one solid gold tooth.
Johnny Depp and Shane MacGowan through the years. pic.twitter.com/1b9UnfYDsG
— Strawberry Fields ミ☆ (@sunflxwervolsix) November 30, 2023
Fairytale of New York
Fun fact - MacGowan was born on Christmas Day.
Although known for other hits such as Dirty Old Town and Sally MacLennane, The Pogues were best known for Fairytale of New York with Kirsty MacColl.
MacGowan insisted that it arose as a result of a wager made by the Pogues' producer at the time, Elvis Costello, that the band would not be able to write a Christmas hit single.
The song has always courted controversy but remains one of the more popular festive anthems.
On November 19, 2020, PinkNews journalist Josh Milton described the seemingly annual argument over whether or not the use of the word "f****t" was offensive as "Britain's worst festive tradition".
It is the most-played Christmas song of the 21st century in the UK and has been regularly been called the greatest Christmas song of all time.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here