Pogues’ Darryl Hunt Dies: ‘We Are Saddened Beyond Words’

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Darryl Hunt (at front L) made his recorded debut with the Pogues on this 1988 album

Darryl Hunt, the bassist for the Celtic punk band the Pogues, died yesterday (August 8, 2022). The band announced his passing at age 72 on their social media platforms on Aug. 9. Their brief tribute quoted the lyrics from his song “Love You Till the End,” with the words “I know you want to hear me catch my breath, I love you till the end.” Neither the cause nor place of death was revealed.

The complete post reads: “We are saddened beyond words. Our Darryl passed away yesterday afternoon in London. Darryl Gatwick Hunt 04/05/1950 – 08/08/2022

“‘I know you want to hear me catch my breath
I love you till the end’”

Hunt, born on May 4, 1950, in Hampshire, U.K., first joined the band as a roadie. When their bassist Cait O’Riordan left the band to join her future husband, Elvis Costello, Hunt replaced her. He stayed with the group until they disbanded in 1996. He also contributed drums, guitar and backing vocals, and wrote several songs, one of which was “Love You Till the End.” The band have reunited numerous times.

Hunt was a member of the Pogues when they recorded their best known song, “Fairytale of New York,” written by two of the band’s co-founders, Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer. The song, recorded with singer Kirsty MacColl in 1987, became a #2 hit in the U.K. and #1 in Ireland. It’s remained a year-end holiday favorite.

He made his recorded debut with the band on their third studio album, 1988’s If I Should Fall From Grace With God, which reached #3 in the U.K, thanks to the success of “Fairytale From New York.”

Founded in 1982 as ‘Pogue Mahone’ in Kings Cross, London they changed their name to the Pogues in 1984. An Anglo-Irish punk band that drew huge influence from the likes of The Clash and The Sex Pistols, their sound was unique and distinctive also drawing from the band’s Irish heritage. They carved out their own niche that would become known as folk-punk or Celtic-punk and started to find international success with a number of hit albums and singles. This success continued to grow through the 80’s into the early 90’s with frontman MacGowan being lauded for his songwriting. In 1991 MacGowan left the band but the Pogues continued for a short time first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals but they eventually disbanded in 1996. They reformed again in 2001 with MacGowan back at the helm playing all over the world.

Listen to “Love You Till the End”