Born on 12 March: Peter Doherty (The Libertines), tightrope walker of English rock

Peter Doherty was born in Hexham, UK, in 1979. The son of a serviceman, he moved with his two sisters and parents according to his father's postings.

An avid literature enthusiast, he shared a love for fine writing with his father. Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde and William Blake inspired the young boy who dreamt of becoming a poet and filled numerous journals that became collections of his teenage musings. He also learned to play the guitar, an essential companion to his melancholy, as he worked in a cemetery to save some money during his studies.

In the late 90s, Pete Doherty formed his first band with Carl Barât: The Libertines. It was an immediate success for the duo, for their passionate friendship, for their erudition and spirit, whether one loved or loathed them. Troubled, often appearing dazed beneath his hat, Pete charmed, disturbed, enthralled. Unfortunately increasingly dependent on drugs, the singer's deterioration precipitated the end of the band, already cult.

In 2004, he created Babyshambles and quickly released their first album, "Down In Albion". Arm in arm with Kate Moss, he hit tabloids' front pages, who pursued every escapade carried out by the couple. After separating from the top model, the destroyed dandy offered his second album, "Shotter’s Nation", praised by fans and critics. A prison stint further darkened his tumultuous reputation; he's now banned from London!

In 2009, a football and fashion enthusiast (he's modelled for some of the great names in haute couture), he released his first solo album, "Grace/Wastelands" and took the opportunity to renounce the name Pete, thus reverting it to Peter. If he seemed initially tamed, it was not to be. He was arrested with drugs in Switzerland, France and again in the UK. Nothing seemed to quell his addictions and provocative, uncontrollable nature. Although he still performed a few shows, it wasn't unusual for him to no-show on other occasions, leaving organisers and fans disappointed.

Having gone to Thailand to end his addictions, Peter then reunited with his old comrade. In 2014, The Libertines rise from their ashes, releasing albums and embarking on a long tour. Ten years later, his wife Katia de Vidas, who filmed him for more than ten years, presented a documentary about him: "Stranger In My Own Skin". A year earlier, Doherty, now living in Etretat, became a father for the third time. Recently, he announced his new album "Felt Better Alive" in which he sings his latest song...

Upcoming concerts:
16 March: Trinity Centre - Bristol (England)
17 March: New Cross Inn - London (England)
18 March: Blackheath Halls - London (England)
25 April: Casino - Sint-Niklaas (Belgium)
26 April: Le Tranon - Paris (France)
27 April: Het Depot - Leuven (Belgium)
28 April: OM - Seraing/Liège (Belgium)
30 April: Melkweg - Amsterdam (Netherlands)
13 May: Cactus Club - Brugge (Belgium)

(MH with CMa - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Peter Doherty with The Libertines on stage at the Cirque Royal in Brussels (Belgium) on 19 November 2019