RIP Phil Chevron

Pogues guitarist Phil Chevron has died. He was 56.

Just read about it from a friend on Facebook. Total bummer.

I didn’t know he was sick. I would have put money that Shane would go first.

Has it really been four years since the last time I went to a Pogues concert?

Well, fuck.

Damn. He wrote some of my favorite songs, including “Lorelei” and “Thousands are Sailing.” Did not know he was sick.

Dammit. I hate death. Thousands are Sailing was such a great song, summing up viscerally what it must have been like to leave to leave the crushing poverty of your homeland for slightly less crushing poverty in a strange country. Thank you for that Phil. We’ll miss you, but we’ll dance to the music.