Phil Chevron, guitarist for The Pogues, has died following a long battle with cancer at the age of 56. He passed away at around midday today, Tuesday 8th October.
Chevron was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2007 and had been receiving treatment since then. The guitarist then recently suffered another bout of the illness in his head and neck which ultimately lead to his passing.
A memorial service is being planned but no details have emerged as of yet.
Chevron, real name Philip Ryan, grew up in Santry in the suburbs of north Dublin and became a massively-respected figure in the Irish punk scene during time spent with the band The Radiators From Space.
He later joined The Pogues in 1984 and was with the band during their most successful years.
A testimonial concert to honour Chevron during the summer was attending by the likes of Roddy Doyle and Joseph O'Connor, author of 'Star of the Sea'.
O'Connor, as quoted by the Herald, honoured Chevron at the event by saying: "Philip Chevron is one of the greatest Irish songwriters of all time, certainly the best of my generation, an artist of a unique and absolutely compelling sensibility.
"To any Irish person of my age who loves music, Philip is nothing less than a hero."
