Pogues to pick up lifetime achievement award
The Pogues, famed for controversial frontman Shane McGowan’s antics, will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Meteor Ireland Music Awards, organisers said tonight.
The band were first formed by McGowan, famous for his rotten teeth and hard drinking, Spider Stacey, Jem Finer and James Fearnley in Kings Cross London in 1982.
On hearing of the award Spider said: “It’s a fantastic accolade to be given after all these years and we hope that everyone will enjoy the evening as much as we will.”
The award will be presented at the glitzy ceremony in Dublin’s Point Theatre on Thursday, February 2.
Originally known as The Pogue Mahones, the band played the London pub circuit with Andrew Ranken on drums and Cait O Riordan on bass before changing their name to The Pogues.
Philip Chevron and Terry Woods later joined the band, and Darryl Hunt replaced Cait O Riordan.
The Pogues will take to the stage along with The Darkness, Westlife, Jamie Cullum, Damien Dempsey, Bell X1 and Republic of Loose.
Last year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Aslan, and previous winners also include The Dubliners, Bob Geldof, U2’s manager Paul McGuinness and Christy Moore.
Father Peter McVerry, a campaigner of young homeless people will also take star place when he is presented with the €100,000 Humanitarian award at the awards.
The veteran campaigner, who founded the Arrupe Society in 1983 to provide care and accommodation for homeless boys, is being presented with the Humanitarian Award and a €100,000 donation in recognition of his, and his work colleagues’ tireless work.
On the night there will be 17 Meteor Ireland Music Awards presented. Six of the categories are chosen by the public, through text messages.
Other recipients of the Humanitarian Award and donations include Elton John, Christina Noble, Bono, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy and Adi Roche.
The Hope for 2006 Award for up-and-coming bands will be voted for by 2FM listeners, while music industry representatives will chose the remainder.
U2, The Corrs, Hal and Bell X1 are vying for Best Irish Band, while Damien Dempsey, Joe Chester and Christy Moore are bidding for Best Irish Male.
Tickets for the Meteor Awards are available to win through competitions in newspapers, on radio, TV and through texting, or corporate VIP tickets are also available for €100.
