Sad. An incredible poet, probably our finestâŚeven if in an interview stated that for all his roles, he wished to be remembered for his singing. An old colleague of mine met him on a day drinking session in Eamon Dorans many moons ago, and asked him what the best drug he ever did, and he replied, âGet a slice of bread, and put black shoe polish on both sides of the slice, and eat itââŚfollowed by his distinct then guffaw for a laugh. The duet with Sinead had a ridiculous beauty to it, that never aged. I remember discovering a copy of âIf I should fall from the grace of Godâ in the house I lived in, in my first jaunt as an emigrant in Maryland and listening to âThousands are sailingâ for the first time. It floored me. It really connected me on a level to those who sought something better, somewhere else on a level I didnât know I needed. May he rest in peace, and may his partner find solace and speed in the processes of grief.
One of our Greatest. The memories. Puckane '85, Glastonbury '86, SFX in Dublin '85 and '86, I was in my early 20s then so I was invincible too. What a front man. What a songwriter. Their gigs were a heady mix of chaos, booze, manic mosh pits and sing alongs. In tears here, Mrs Jones thinks Iâm a complete fucking eejit. We lost a sister last Xmas, she loved the Pogues and coming up to the anniversary emotions are running very high, mad time of the year really. In a good way though.