Of all the tributes paid to Shane McGowan since Thursday, some of the most telling are from similarly talented peers - his fellow musicians.
While the public's love is very meaningful, the words and praise from some of the best artists in the world - Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, and Bono included - are a true measure of just how special a singer and songwriter Shane McGowan was.
Nick Cave Pays Highest Compliment To Shane McGowan
The highest praise came from his friend, and the critically acclaimed and award winning artist, Nick Cave, who, like McGowan, was known for his emphasis on skilled lyric writing and storytelling:
His reputation precedes him in a way but Shane was an incredibly kind, sort of generous, pure spirit, and just an extraordinary person.
An extremely funny guy, and just in my view at least, the songwriter of his generation.
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Those words from Cave came from an event he was speaking at on the day of McGowan's death, but he also took the time to pen a more thought out tribute in his newsletter, Red Hand Files, in which he told a touching story from McGowan's 60th birthday party.
“Shane’s wife, Victoria, then pushed Shane on in a wheelchair and, well, I know I should be talking about the pure unbridled genius of Shane MacGowan and how he was the greatest songwriter of his generation, with the most terrifyingly beautiful of voices — all of which is true — but what struck me at that moment was the extraordinary display of love for this man, so powerful and deep, that poured forth from the audience. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
“Shane was not revered just for his manifold talents but also loved for himself alone. A beautiful and damaged man, who embodied a kind of purity and innocence and generosity and spiritual intelligence unlike any other."
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