The Medusa Fora

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:13 am**

I was just wondering who charlie maclennane was, as I'm curious because he sings Wanderin Star on The Crock Of Gold, and the album is dedicated to him. So who was he? Should I feel bad for not knowing?

scott

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:21 am**

He used to be Shane's manager, much-loved friend who sadly died early. There is a photo here: http://www.shanemacgowan.com/bigcharlie.jpg

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:27 am**

And, of course, sang Wanderin' Star on Crock.

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:40 am**

He appears at the end of the Live at the Town and Country Club DVD, Spider introduces him to the audience.

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:48 am**

Big Charlie was The Pogues stage manager/production manager, not to mention onstage barman. He also appeared as Santa in the FoNY video and as James Fearnley (another of those unexplained absences) in the YeaH x 5 video.

I first knew Charlie in 1977 when he was production manager for Thin Lizzy and part of his job was to get The Radiators on stage on time on the UK tour we did with Lizzy. He remained very close to Philip Lynnot and joined the Pogues crew soon after Philip died. When the Pogues finished, Charlie went back to work for Shane.

He was a gem.

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:14 pm**

Shane mentions Charlie in The Book in a really kind and hearty way

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:21 pm**

Be honest, how many times have you read the book?

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:21 pm**

He is also very sweet in that infamous Pinkpop video from the mid-90s where he gets a rat-poisoned Shane off stage very kindly and gently - at least I think that's him.

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:39 pm**

MissWalshy wrote:Be honest, how many times have you read the book?

Hard to say, it's my manual...

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:16 pm**

MacRua wrote:
MissWalshy wrote:Be honest, how many times have you read the book?

Hard to say, it's my manual...

I suppose you could have a worse book for a manual... :lol:

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:19 pm**

I got tired of Naked Lunch..

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:25 pm**

Christine wrote:He is also very sweet in that infamous Pinkpop video from the mid-90s where he gets a rat-poisoned Shane off stage very kindly and gently - at least I think that's him.

Yup that's him. My first memory of Shane that is

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:10 pm**

MacRua wrote:
MissWalshy wrote:Be honest, how many times have you read the book?

Hard to say, it's my manual...

It's mine too.

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:36 pm**

I know this probably won't be a popular view, but I think it's a bloody awful book.

Posted: **Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:47 pm**

Kilmichael wrote:I know this probably won't be a popular view, but I think it's a bloody awful book.

Why do you think so? It's a good view on the life of Shane and the Pogues