Philip Chevron, guitarist with The Pogues, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. The group confirmed the loss with a statement on their website reading "After a long illness Philip passed away peacefully this morning. We all send our sincere condolences to his family."

Philip Chevron
Talented Musician Philip Chevron Has Passed Away.

Just 56 when he passed away yesterday (8th October), Chevron was first treated for cancer in 2007 and was given the all-clear. However, the tumour returned this year and Chevron was told that it was too risky to operate. Chevron, AKA Philip Ryan, had performed with influential Irish punk band The Pogues since 1984.

Formerly in punk band The Radiators from Space, Philip met Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan and was invited to join the band on a short term cover after the release of their debut, Red Roses For Me but became a full member by the time second album, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash had been released. Chevron also contributed banjo and mandolin to The Pogues' songs and wrote some of the band's most memorable songs, including the emigration ballad, 'Thousands Are Sailing.'

The Pogues
The Pogues Are One Of The Most Influential Irish Punk Bands.

Though Chevron made his Pogues exit in 1994 due to drug problems, he rejoined the line-up in 2001 on a successful reunion tour. Chevron was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, but made a recovery and went on a US tour with The Pogues in 2008. However, in 2013 he was told that the tumour had returned and had developed too close to his brain to operate.

Chevron's final public appearance was a fundraiser in August at Dublin's Olympia Theatre where Gavin Friday, Paul Brady, Horslips, Declan O'Rourke and Aidan Gillen performed.

Earlier this year, Chevron announced that he'd decided to stay resolute, saying via The Irish Mirror, "I've just decided to continue living. I can no longer sing or even speak, which is a massive bummer, but I can still play and I can still write. As nobody is in a position to give me a cut-off point, I just carry on as normally as my daily health allows."

The Pogues Live
Chevron Wrote Some Of The Band's Best Songs.

"There are up and down days, so it's hard to commit to something where my reliability is a factor, but I get around most things," he added. "You don't, in my opinion, battle cancer. It's bigger than that and if it's going to get you, it's going to get you."

"The battle becomes a familiar one of how you're going to manage it, cope with it [...] You hope that if you give it your best shot it might go into abeyance," said Philip.

A memorial service is reportedly being organised. Philip is survived by his mother and sister.