Pogues Singer Shane MacGowan Dead at 65

Pogues Singer , Shane MacGowan , Dead at 65.

BBC reports that a spokesperson for MacGowan confirmed that the artist , "died peacefully at 3:30am this morning with his wife and sister by his side.".

Prayers and the last rites were read during his passing, Shane MacGowan spokesperson, via BBC.

BBC reports that the news comes after MacGowan revealed that he had been diagnosed with encephalitis last year and was recently admitted to the hospital.

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BBC reports that the news comes after MacGowan revealed that he had been diagnosed with encephalitis last year and was recently admitted to the hospital.

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The singer and songwriter, who had a well-documented struggle with drugs and alcohol, had reportedly been in poor health for some time.

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The singer and songwriter, who had a well-documented struggle with drugs and alcohol, had reportedly been in poor health for some time.

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Victoria Mary Clarke, MacGowan's wife, wrote on Instagram that her husband , "meant the world to me.".

I don't know how to say this so I am just going to say it.

Shane... has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese, Victoria Mary Clarke, Wife of Shane MacGowan, via BBC.

Clarke wrote that MacGowan , "will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear.".

Clarke wrote that MacGowan , "will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear.".

MacGowan led The Pogues from 1982 until the band broke up in 2014.

His 1988 collaboration with Kirsty MacColl, "Fairytale of New York," reached number two on the U.K. charts and continues to be a cherished Christmas song.

His 1988 collaboration with Kirsty MacColl, "Fairytale of New York," reached number two on the U.K. charts and continues to be a cherished Christmas song.

In 2018, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award at his 60th birthday celebration held at Dublin's National Concert Hall.

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In 2018, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award at his 60th birthday celebration held at Dublin's National Concert Hall.