The late Shane MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke revealed that Ranken died after "his long and brave battle with illness"
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NEED TO KNOW
- The Pogues drummer Andrew Ranken has died at the age of 72
- The English Celtic punk band announced that Ranken died on Tuesday, Feb. 10
- “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member, and heartbeat of The Pogues,” the group wrote in an instagram post
Andrew Ranken, the drummer for The Pogues, has died at age 72.
The English Celtic punk band announced in an Instagram post that Ranken passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member, and heartbeat of The Pogues," the group wrote in the caption of the Wednesday, Feb. 11 post.
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"Andrew, thank you for everything, for your friendship, your wit and your generosity of spirit, and of course for the music, forever a true friend and brother," the band continued. "Our thoughts and love are with his family at this sad and difficult time."
The post was signed by band members Spider Stacy, James Fearnley and Jem Finer.
The Pogues was founded in London in 1982 by the late Shane MacGowan, Stacy and Finer. Ranken, nicknamed The Clobberer, joined the band in 1983. He was the drummer for many of the band’s albums, including 1984’s Red Roses For Me.
Ranken also provided vocals for the music group.
The drummer performed with the band until 1996 when they broke up. He rejoined the band when they got back together in 2001 and played with them until 2014.
MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke revealed in a tribute to Ranken that he died after "his long and brave battle with illness."
"Andy was a fierce drummer and founding member of the Pogues, having joined Poguemahone in 1983 and braving all the beer-swilling, pogo-jumping, underground illegal drinking joints the fledgling band played and developing his own unique style of a warrior drumbeat," she captioned an Instagram post.
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Added Clarke, "Without him the Pogues could never have developed their battle-ready rhythm and sound. He truly was the heartbeat of the band. He remained a true and loyal friend through all of his life. We will miss him and we are thinking today of his family and sending them all our love."
"May his gentle soul Rest in Peace," she concluded.
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Ranken’s cause of death has yet to be revealed. However, he battled the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, per Hackney Citizen. The drummer released a charity song in 2023 in support of St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney.
MacGowan’s sister, author Siobhan MacGowan, also shared an emotional tribute for Ranken.
“Andrew was such an important part of the story. A band brother and unbelievably talented and unique drummer,” she wrote on X.
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