Kirsty McColl

A talented and eclectic British singer/songwriter, Kirsty MacColl's genius was apparent, though woefully unrecognized, during her lifetime. Despite a dazzling catalog of original work, her two best-known performances were written by others. Most recognizably, she is Shane MacGowan's feisty duet partner on the Pogues' perennial classic "Fairytale of New York," while her most successful solo release is a shimmering cover of Billy Bragg's "A New England." She could have followed in the footsteps of her father, U.K. folk legend Ewan MacColl, but instead devoted her life to pop mus...