Shane MacGowan
The Pogues lead singer
Camden Road, London, UK
(March 12, 1987)
The Pogues frontman had a reputation as a hard-drinking man so I was surprised when I was asked to photograph Shane at 11am in a fancy French restaurant in Camden Town. When I arrived Shane was already there for the interview. He had by then established a format for excessive consumption - a swig of Guiness followed by another swig from a large tumbler of brandy, then a spoonful of French Onion soup, a drag on a cigarette and back to the Guiness in a rapid rhythmic sequence. He didn’t miss a beat.
I took him outside for the photo and he was remarkably clear-headed, eloquent and witty. I asked him if he could take his sunglasses off but he refused in no uncertain terms.
SHANE MACGOWAN 03
David Corio
