'A total gentleman': The Pogues drummer and band's 'heartbeat', Andrew Ranken, dies at the age of 72

Andrew Ranken, the drummer and a founding member of English Celtic punk band The Pogues, has died.

The band announced Ranken's death, aged 72, in a social media post on Wednesday, alongside photos of the musician made into a tribute video.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member, and heartbeat of The Pogues," surviving founding members Jem Finer, James Fearnley and Spider Stacy said in a statement.

"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.

"Our thoughts and love are with his family at this sad and difficult time."

No cause of death or further details were released, however Ranken had suffered from ill health in recent years as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

He released a song in 2023 to raise funds for a charity in support of St Joseph's Hospice in London.

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In November 2023, the band lost former frontman Shane MacGowan, who died aged 65 from pneumonia.

MacGown's widow Victoria Mary Clarke said the "absolutely legendary drummer" was "a beautiful human" and "a total gentleman".

"No doubt that he will be warmly welcomed by Shane, but he will be very much missed here on Earth," she commented below the band's announcement.

Ranken, nicknamed "The Clobberer", was part of the original 1983 line-up of the folk group and played with the band until 1996. He reprised his role from 2001 to 2014.

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Legends of the music world, then and now

Ranken played the drums on the band's most famous song, the 1987 alternate Christmas ballad, Fairytale of New York.

Last year, Finer, Stacy and Fearnley announced their first headline tour in more than a decade, to mark the 40th anniversary of their hit album Rum Sodomy and the Lash.

They had special guests throughout the tour to fill in for MacGowan.

The Pogues & Friends tour is set to bring them to Australia and New Zealand for a number of shows in March and April.

It's not thought their loss will impact the upcoming shows.

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