Shane MacGowan was born on December 25th of 1957 in England. December 25th is most well known as being CHRISTMAS. MacGowan is most well known for being the lead singer and songwriter for the Irish punk band The Pogues who were formed in 1982. They are known for mixing traditional Irish music with punk rock influences.

MacGowan fronted the band from 1982 until 1991 when he was fired by the rest of the band for being unreliable (to put it mildly.) He rejoined the band in 2001 and has been performing with them since. Although they haven’t released a studio album featuring MacGowan since 1990′s Hell’s Ditch.

“Fairytale of New York” is probably the most well known song and it also happens to be a Christmas song which makes it fitting to feature today. The song is a duet with Scottish guest singer Kristy MacColl singing with MacGowan. It was released in 1987 and hit #1 on the Irish singles charts and #2 on the UK singles charts. It was voted the greatest Christmas song of all time in a UK VH1 poll in 2004, 2005, & 2006.

“Fairytale of New York” Live On St. Patrick’s Day 1988