The Pogues pay tribute to Phil Chevron

The death of the Pogues long-time guitarist Philip Chevron on Tuesday did not come as a surprise. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2006 and a statement in 2012 said that it had returned and was "fatal".

Phil died on October 8, 2013.

The group has posted their remembrance of Chevron on their website, calling him a "remarkable and fantastically talented colleague, but most of all a friend."

The news of Philip's death on Tuesday morning, from complications brought about by throat cancer, has hurt us terribly. Philip was first diagnosed with the disease in 2006 and after a gruelling period of chemotherapy which he had fought with such dignity, strength and heroism, he was declared to be in remission. But in a tragic stroke last August he returned from visiting his oncologist with the harrowing news that his cancer had returned, and that this time it was inoperable. It has been no consolation that we have all had months to prepare for the worst; when the worst came, the preparations we had made turned out to be futile, and the impact has been felt very deeply. The hole that his death has left will be huge. He was a remarkable and fantastically talented colleague, but most of all a friend. Our thoughts go out to his fans, who loved him unanimously. But above all, our thoughts are now with his family, with those he held dear and who have held him dear. Philip will be missed terribly and will always be in our hearts. – The Pogues

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