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Star-studded MacGowan tribute album gave grieving wife purpose
Victoria Mary Clarke says organising *20th Century Paddy*, a tribute album of Shane MacGowan’s songs, gave her purpose and comfort after her husband’s death. Released three years after MacGowan died, the record brings together artists who performed at his funeral and many others, celebrating his music and the connections it created.
The album contains 36 tracks, all written by MacGowan, performed by 40 bands and solo artists. Contributors include Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, U2, Hozier, The Libertines and The Pogues’ funeral performers; Glen Hansard and Moya Brennan also feature, having recorded their contributions before their deaths. MacGowan, best known as The Pogues’ frontman, died aged 65 in 2023 after being diagnosed with encephalitis.
In short
- Victoria Mary Clarke says the tribute album helped her through grief.
- *20th Century Paddy* features 36 MacGowan songs.
- Forty acts contributed, including Springsteen, U2 and Hozier.