Phil Chevron

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Philip Chevron (born Philip Ryan, 17 June 1957, Dublin) is an Irish singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is most widely known as lead guitarist for the Shane MacGowan led punk/folk rock band, The Pogues.

[edit] Career

In the late 1970s, Chevron was lead singer and founding member of short-lived punk rock outfit, The Radiators From Space, receiving much critical acclaim, albeit little widespread popularity or financial success. Following the break up of the band, he lived in London for a time, meeting and befriending Shane MacGowan through time spent working together at a record shop.

Following the release of the Pogues' 1984 debut album Red Roses For Me, he was invited to join the band on a short-term basis as cover for banjo player Jem Finer's paternity leave. He then took over as guitarist following MacGowan's decision to concentrate on singing - thereby becoming a full-time member of the band in time for the recording of second album, Rum, Sodomy And The Lash.

Although living somewhat in the shadow of Shane MacGowan during his time with the Pogues, and lacking the former's pitch-black sense of humour and distinctive vocal style, Chevron proved himself as a singer-songwriter in his own right, creating the popular ballads "Thousands are Sailing" and "Lorelei" amongst others.^{[citation needed]}

Although primarily known as a guitarist, he is also a skilled player of the banjo and mandolin, as first demonstrated on the Pogues' third album, If I Should Fall from Grace with God. Chevron left the Pogues in 1994 following much-publicised problems with drugs and alcohol, though he still tours with the band on occasion.

In 2003, he reformed The Radiators (Plan 9) along with ex-Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan and currently spends his time writing, touring and recording. The released the critically acclaimed Trouble Pilgrim in 2006 and it received high critical acclaim and topped the independent record charts but again did not make any roads into the mainstream. The album included a tribute to Chevron's friend Joe Strummer.

In recent years he has become, in effect, the Pogues' unofficial spokesperson and resident expert on the reclusive Shane MacGowan - frequently visiting online forums and directly answering questions from fans. In 2004, he personally oversaw the remastering and re-release of the Pogues' entire back catalogue on CD. He now tours regularly with The Pogues after a successful reunion tour in 2001.

In June 2007 it was announced on The Pogues' website that Chevron has been diagnosed with a strand of "locally advanced" throat cancer. In early 2008 it was announced via The Pogues official website the Chevron had recovered and to his surprise and joy his hearing returned to almost pre treatment levels. He embarked on the March 2008 tour of the United States and even managed to sing 'Thousands are sailing' in each of the performances.