{"id":483,"date":"2026-02-14T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/?p=483"},"modified":"2026-02-13T10:58:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T15:58:37","slug":"fans-and-bandmates-mourn-the-loss-of-pogues-drummer-andrew-ranken-dead-at-72","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/fans-and-bandmates-mourn-the-loss-of-pogues-drummer-andrew-ranken-dead-at-72\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans and Bandmates Mourn the Loss of Pogues Drummer Andrew Ranken, Dead at 72"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Andrew Ranken, founding member and drummer of Celtic punk group The Pogues passed away on February 10, 2026. Fans and bandmates took to social media expressing condolences, and The Pogues posted a tribute on X to the one they called “The Clobberer.”<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member of The Pogues, and the heartbeat of The Pogues. Andrew, thank you for everything. For your friendship, your wit, and of course, the music, forever a true friend and brother. Our thoughts and love are with his family at this sad and difficult time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forming The Pogues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ranken helped form The Pogues<\/a> in 1983. Hailing from King’s Cross, London, the group blended traditional Irish music with punk rock. This further expanded punk rock capabilities and inspired decades of Celtic punk groups. Their popular songs include the Christmas duet “The Fairytale of New York,”<\/a> “A Rainy Day in Soho,” “Sally MacLennane,” and “Dirty Old Town.” Ranken played with the band from the beginning in 1983 until their breakup in 1996.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band reunited in 2001, where Ranken now added harmonica and vocals to the group, in addition to returning to the drums. Ranken stayed with the group until 2014, when they lost longtime guitarist Philip Chevron. The band has since been riddled with loss, as bass player Darryl Hunt died in 2022, and lead singer Shane MacGowan passed in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pogues Legacy Lives On<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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