I’ve known Shane from the early days of the Nipps (Nipple Erectors) when we played the same bills in Camden in the late 70’s (Music Machine, Electric Ballroom, etc). He was always part of the Camden music scene.
When I moved to London in the early 80’s he was omni-present in the best pubs (Devonshire Arms, Good Mixer and later the Engine Room). A plethora of stars were drawn into his orbit and it was no surprise to see him sitting with Kate Moss, Elvis Costello, Johnny Depp, etc. He was always a good source of after-hours drinking holes in Camden and Soho in the days when hours were much more restrictive, but for that (and the lost days as a result) I can’t blame him
The thing is, he was always the most polite drunk. I never saw him lairy or obnoxious - just a really sweet, gentle character. His demise is no surprise but sad none the less. He was blessed with having an amazingly supportive wife, who will no doubt have been an enormous comfort to him towards the end.