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TOP FIVES: Pete Doherty Moments

29 May 2013 | 6:44 pm | Tom Hutchins

Since we'll be seeing Pete Doherty down under for this year's Splendour In The Grass, we thought it was only necessary to feature a little refresher for you

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PETE DOHERTY is one of the most talked musicians of the last decade, yet sadly, a lot of the discussion about him surrounds ways he's XTL over the years rather than his excellent musical ability.

Since we'll be seeing the one and only DOHERTY down under for this year's SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS Festival, playing the role of frontman for his group Babyshambles, we thought it was only necessary to feature a little refresher for those of you who thought he'd drifted into obscurity over the past few years. So without further adieu, here our our Top Five PETE DOHERTY Moments.

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1. WHEN HE GOT ARRESTED FOR BLACKMAILING & ROBBING A FILMMAKER

On 2 February 2005, DOHERTY was arrested after an altercation with filmmaker Max Carlish, who was making a rockumentary about the singer. Whilst filming, Carlish sold photos of DOHERTY abusing substances to British tabloids and the unimpressed latter went forth in assaulting, robbing and then blackmailing the documentarian. Doherty and his friend Alan Wass were charged, but luckily his label - Rough Trade - bailed him out within a week.

All charges against him were later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to a lack of evidence. And the subsequent documentary was turned into 'Stalking PETE DOHERTY', as Carlish was accused of stalking the artist rather than documenting him.

2. THAT TIME HE ROBBED HIS BAND MATE

In 2003, while DOHERTY's first band THE LIBERTINES were performing in Japan without him, he broke into band mate, Carl Barât's flat and stole various items, including an old guitar and a laptop computer. He was then sentenced to six months in prison, however the sentence was eventually shortened to two months on appeal.

The two initially fell out over this incident, but made amends whilst DOHERTY was in prison. Upon his release, he immediately reunited with Barât and the rest of the band to play a gig.

3. THAT TIME HE DATED KATE MOSS

DOHERTY has had a tumultuous relationship with Kate Moss. They met in January 2005 at Moss' 31st birthday party and have had an on-off relationship since. They announced they were getting hitched during the first of his solo gigs at the Hackney Empire, London, at which Moss also performed in April 2007 - yet they officially broke up in July of the same year.

Their relationship was highly publicised, with many rumours suggesting their had been abuse in the relationship from both sides. Although these rumours were never confirmed, DOHERTY came out last year and said that during his breakup with Moss, she burned his possessions and hit him over the head with his own guitar.

4. THE LIBERTINES SAGA

DOHERTY's most acclaimed works came whilst playing within THE LIBERTINES. Although it took the band 10 or so years to get notice, when they did, they quickly achieved critical and commercial success and gained a dedicated cult following. With PETE in particular being praised by fans and critics alike as one of the most promising songwriters to emerge on the British music scene for some time.

Sadly, DOHERTY was kicked out of the band after robbing Barât (see above) and although he was accepted back in the fold, his harrowing drug problems forced the band to kick him out only a year later - the band then completely disbanded after this. DOHERTY had the chance to take THE LIBERTINES into Rock and Roll fame status, yet it was his Rock and Roll lifestyle that ultimately let the band down before that could happen.

5. REFORMING BABYSHAMBLES

There is an upside to all of this. After all his prison visits, drug problems, physical altercations, abusive relationships and so on. DOHERTY has managed to - 1, stay alive; and 2, keep his new project BABYSHAMBLES alive. Although the band has taken some hits over the years, mainly again due to their leading man's substance related issues, it was recently announced that album 3 was in the works and would be released later this year.

They're also heading to Australian for SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS, but surely you already knew that.

With the past behind him, a Libertines reunion tour done, new Babyshambles on the way, and no real prison stays or drug problems to speak of; perhaps this is a new PETE DOHERTY. And hopefully, we'll get the super talented musician we always loved back, with little to no XTL from him in the future.

Words by Tom Hutchins

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