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Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer are two of the most influential figures in the world of Irish music. Both born in England, they would go on to form the legendary band The Pogues, which would become one of the most beloved and respected groups in the history of Irish music. Shane MacGowan was born on December 25, 1957, in Pembury, Kent, England. His parents were Irish immigrants, and he grew up in a household that was steeped in Irish culture and tradition. From a young age, MacGowan was drawn to music, and he began playing the guitar and writing songs when he was just a teenager. Jem Finer was born on July 20, 1955, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. His father was a noted physicist, and Finer grew up in a household that valued education and intellectual pursuits. Despite this, Finer was drawn to music from a young age, and he began playing the banjo and other instruments when he was just a child. MacGowan and Finer first met in the early 1980s, when they were both living in London and playing in various bands. They quickly became friends, and they began collaborating on music together. In 1982, they formed The Pogues, a band that would go on to become one of the most important and influential groups in the history of Irish music. The Pogues were known for their unique blend of traditional Irish music and punk rock, and they quickly gained a reputation for their raucous live shows and their politically charged lyrics. MacGowan was the band's lead singer and primary songwriter, while Finer played a variety of instruments and was responsible for many of the band's arrangements. Over the course of their career, The Pogues released several critically acclaimed albums, including "Rum Sodomy & the Lash" (1985), "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" (1988), and "Peace and Love" (1989). They also had several hit singles, including "Fairytale of New York," which has become a beloved Christmas classic. Despite their success, The Pogues were known for their hard-partying lifestyle, and MacGowan in particular struggled with addiction and other personal demons. In 1991, he was fired from the band due to his erratic behavior, and he would go on to struggle with addiction and other issues for many years. Despite these challenges, MacGowan continued to write and record music, and he released several solo albums in the 1990s and 2000s. He also collaborated with a variety of other musicians, including Nick Cave, Sinead O'Connor, and The Dubliners. Finer, meanwhile, continued to work as a musician and composer, and he has become known for his innovative and experimental work. In 1991, he created "Longplayer," a piece of music that is designed to play continuously for 1,000 years. The piece is based on a series of musical and mathematical rules, and it is intended to be a meditation on the nature of time and the universe. Today, MacGowan and Finer are both considered legends in the world of Irish music, and their influence can be heard in the work of countless other musicians. Despite the challenges they have faced over the years, they remain beloved and respected figures, and their music continues to inspire and delight fans around the world.

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