Born in Kent, England, songwriter/poet Shane MacGowan attended Westminster School (and was laterexpelled for drug use). After a brief time with the Nips (77-79), ShaneMacGowan formed the democratically operated Pogues, a successful '80sgroup which released a handful of well-received records (e.g. If IShould Fall From Grace with God) and many songs considered classics(e.g. Fairytale of New York, A Pair of Brown Eyes). Expelled from thePogues for his reckless lifestyle, MacGowan lived and wrote in Londonthroughout the '90s, releasing two albums with his band, the Popes. Henow resides in the county of Tipperary, Ireland, putting together theoccasional tour.