‘Remembering our darling Kirsty MacColl’
The Pogues have took to social media to pay their respects to Kirsty MacColl on the 24th anniversary of her death.
The Fairytale of New York singer died while saving her son’s life back in 2000.
Originally from Croydon, MacColl, who was the daughter of songwriter Ewan MacColl, had a successful music career throughout the 80s and 90s.
She made a name for herself particularly in the new wave and alternative rock genres while staying true to her folk roots.
Before her solo career took off, she was a backing vocalist for groups such as Simple Minds and The Smiths and went by the name Mandy Doubt.
In 1981, she broke into the top 20 with country-pop song There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis.
Covers of Billy Bragg’s A New England and the Kinks’ Days proved to be successful for MacColl.
However, the most successful song of her career was a song which has become somewhat of a Christmas classic – Fairytale of New York which saw her collaborate with Shane McGowan and the Pogues.
Tragedy struck in December 2000 after MacColl had recorded a radio programme for the BBC in Cuba.
She took her sons, aged 13 and 15 on holiday to Mexico along with her boyfriend and fellow musician James Knight.
MacColl went diving with her two boys in a reef which was an area marked as a watercraft-restricted zone.
As they resurfaced, a powerboat entered the restriction zone at a dangerously high speed and was heading towards the trio.
Her 15 year-old son Jamie was right in the path of the boat which was racing towards them.
She managed to get to him and push him out of the way but she was hit by the boat and killed instantly after suffering severe head and chest injuries.
Yesterday, on December 18th, the 20th anniversary of the tragic incident, The Pogues took to social media to pay tribute to MacColl, writing: “First things first. Remembering our darling Kirsty MacColl today and forever.”
