Shane MacGowan, the iconic frontman of the punk-folk band The Pogues, has been battling health issues since last year. In early December, MacGowan was hospitalized with an infection, only to be released in time for his birthday on Christmas Day.
In a message shared to his fans on December 3, 2022, MacGowan said he was suffering from encephalitis and was having trouble with the light. “Hi friends, I’m sitting here suffering from encephalitis. The light is killing me,” he said, “but I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and Happy Christmas.”
His wife, Victoria Clarke, has been keeping fans up to date on MacGowan’s condition via her Twitter account. On October 22, she posted a photo of MacGowan in his hospital bed, with the message that he was praying for peace and love for everyone in the world. She followed up with another photo of the singer the following day, thanking fans for their “lovely messages and prayers.”
Encephalitis is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that causes the brain to become swollen. Symptoms can include difficulty speaking and loss of movement. MacGowan’s health worsened further when he contracted shingles that spread to his eye. He is still recovering from the illness.
This is not the first time MacGowan has suffered from health issues. In 2015, he fractured his pelvis and had to use a wheelchair, and he also received a new set of teeth and titanium implants in his jaw due to oral health and dentistry complications. In 2016, he was hospitalized with hip pain and pneumonia.
Fortunately, MacGowan received a surprise visit from Bruce Springsteen ahead of his Irish tour dates. Clarke shared an image of the two musicians on Twitter, calling it an “amazing honour” and a “beautiful experience.” “What an amazing honour and a beautiful experience to get a visit from The Boss,” she wrote. “Such a truly wonderful man and a total genius!”
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