Pogues Guitarist Philip Chevron Dies Of Cancer

The Pogues guitarist Philip Chevron has died at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.

He performed on some of the Celtic punk act’s best known albums including Rum, Sodomy & The Lash and If I Should Fall From Grace With God after joining the line-up in 1984.

His death on Tuesday was announced on the group’s website with a statement which said: “After a long illness Philip passed away peacefully this morning.

“We all send our sincere condolences to his family.”

Chevron – whose real name was Philip Ryan – had performed with Irish punk act The Radiators From Space before joining The Pogues, fronted by Shane MacGowan.

He was treated for head and neck cancer in 2007, and was later given a clean bill of health.

But the illness returned earlier this year and he had been told that operating on the tumour carried too great a risk.

Chevron also contributed banjo and mandolin to the band’s recordings and wrote several well-known Pogues songs, including the Irish emigration ballad Thousands Are Sailing.

He is survived by his sister and his mother.