On forming the Libertines

The Albion is still on course, though the route is annoyingly prone to be more akin to a Sid James mystery tour than a plain-sailing maiden voyage. Tension on ship as ever, but more body mass to absorb & ease it. Steve sings. Justin plays bass. Carlos & I stoke the furnace. For now this is the format. A 2-track demo has been cut and the word must now be spread. Instruments are being bought, new songs being written. I would of course not hesitate to describe myself as the ideal frontman for the songs . . .

* * *

Hotel trashing with Kate Moss, Bobby Gillespie and his girlfriend Katie England

Doherty turns Mary Poppins

Pete Doherty is to perform the Mary Poppins tune Chim Chimney at Disney tribute

BACKGROUND

• His greatest misfortune was to become famous

• Fighting for my son, I almost lost my husband

• The inevitable call came while I was on night duty: Peter was out of control. I had to take responsibility for his drug frenzies

• For Pete's sake

Related Links

• I love her: Pete Doherty's diaries

Dear Sir, Sorry about the carnage but don’t get the hump with Kate, it was her mate Katie – Bobby’s girl – who really went loopy and trashed the joint.

Love Peter Doherty PS Dear Sir, In fact I was the innocent amongst a group of drunkenness. Things got out of hand, please forgive their extravagant behaviour. It’s an extravagant place.

Dear Sir, We had a f***ing riot last nite in your beautiful hotel it was a blast thanks for the upgrade to the opulent mansion, some cocaine on room service wouldn’t go amiss – could save you a few mirrors Etc, yours, B. Gillespie

* * *

Touring with Babyshambles, 2005

Alan Wass, Peter Doherty and Mick Whitnall decided to take a leisurly stroll round Dundee. Deciding to go for breakfast in McDonald’s. On leaving, a lone policeman who was in a phone box decided to make an arrest on the charge of misuse of drugs. It turns out we had been snorting coke on the serving counter, which was total shite. We were stopped, searched and manhandled. The policeman in questions said he did not know Pete (or Kate) and that the allegation had been made up by a member of the public. Back up was called and protocol was followed up to the letter. We were released with an apology. The police . . . then proceeded to have their photos taken with us.

* * *

Pipedown tour 2005

Alternative suggestions “Carry on Scraping” tour, “Albion”, “Dark side of the spoon tour” . . .

Pipedown is not quite apt indeed Adam had “pipe up” emblazoned across his bass & Pat spent his earnings in advance, ooh . . . 3 days in & not a replacement for the guitar that Islington police still have under lock & key.

* * *

Dundee 23rd September

The big old Jock bouncer gave it a good go up the implant . . . and so the pus-sodden saga of my infected waist band, regional danger zone continues.

* * *

And we slept-walked, sauntered and slid and snuck across & all over Albion, Scotland & Wales like good ’uns. From the mentally disabling opener at Carlisle to the confusion & celebration of Brixton 24 hours sleep ago we played mostly lengthy sets to a run of sell-out shows, and mostly enthusiastic fuzz. Liverpool comes to mind as the best one & there’s a scramble at the finishing post in the race for the worst/most f***ed up giggle. Even the old Bill . . . banging me up in Shrewsbury cannot offend or tarnish the grand memories of that night. Actually being on stage and not wanting to run off into the nearest forest & live deep underground has become a more familiar feeling. Perhaps we are getting there yet, Mr Doherty. Aside from all of which the town is the last of the gigs I shall ever do in the Shambles . . .

* * *

An open apology to the audience

Look into the eye & a half of a no-shower . . . I’m a many of things; singer, dirger, minger, malingerer but I ain’t a cab driver or a punctual tour manager type. So get me to the world on time or expect the worst, Dublin . . . I’m sorrier that’s a pathetic excuse but for what besides meself? For letting anyone down down, mostly my band & the kids and then myself . . .

So forget me or go on, forgive me, forget me. I need your best thoughts so muchly.

*The Books of Albion: The Collected Writings of Peter Doherty is published by Orion Books at £20. Available from Times BooksFirst for £18, free p&p. Call 0870 1608080 or visit timesonline.co.uk/booksfirstbuy

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