Looks like I may of been at the last ever ......

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Libertines Gig!

 

LIBERTINES star PETE DOHERTY has quit the band, I can exclusively reveal.

 

He dropped the bombshell after I tracked the missing star down to his London hideout.

 

In a frank and emotional interview, Pete - who is clearly still addicted to hard drugs after quitting The Priory last weekend - told how he was turning his back on The Libertines.

 

In tears, he said: "I’m heading to Paris to escape with my girlfriend Irene.

 

"She’s the one person who understands me. She will help me give up the crack pipe.

 

"I couldn’t do that in The Priory. I was barely aware of what was going on in there.

 

"All these visitors were coming in to see me and saying they were my family and my sisters - but really they weren’t.

 

"I want to clean up but it’s something I have to do on my own terms."

 

Pete, who had all his worldly possessions packed up ready to leave when I spoke to him, had been in hiding for most of the past week.

 

Not even family or friends knew his whereabouts.

 

Even though he was dressed immaculately in a suit, fedora, cravat and polished brown brogues, the talented guitarist/songwriter still cut a lonely figure.

 

He told how he felt neglected by his bandmates - CARL BARAT, JOHN HASSALL and GARY POWELL - and manager ALAN McGEE.

 

He was particularly disappointed in best friend Carl, with whom he shares a complicated love/hate relationship.

 

Pete burgled his pal’s home last year to help fund his drug habit, serving three weeks in prison.

 

He told me: "It’s got to the point where Carl and I don’t speak except on stage.

 

"It breaks my heart. He treats me badly and every time I come running back like a battered housewife.

 

"I feel like I’m seeking the ghost of a former friendship but Carl gave up on me years ago. He did come to see me in The Priory but I hardly remember his visit.

 

"I was drifting in and out the whole time. If he comes to Paris and grabs me by the hand, maybe we can reclaim the empire together.

 

"But for now I’m out of the band. Surely no one wants to see me trapped in this cage that is only making me miserable.

 

"Being a Libertine is supposed to be about freedom - but I don’t feel free at the moment.

 

"I want people to take me seriously as a musician - not just portray me as a junkie."

 

Pete also told how upset he was at having had little contact with his family.

 

He admitted: "I’ve broken my mother’s heart. But I’m definitely going to meet up with her in the next couple of days."

 

Two hours into our interview it was obvious Pete still has a long way to go before he is able to kick crack cocaine.

 

But he was adamant he had given up heroin.

 

He said: "People have claimed I’m a fixer. But that’s not true.

 

"I feel people have greatly exaggerated what I’ve got up to.

 

"My body is no longer dependent on opiates."

 

And with that he jumped into a car and left for Dover.

 

Who knows when he will resurface again. He left the impression of a vulnerable man going through a terrible crisis.

 

He is clearly one of our most talented stars and still wants to be in The Libertines.

 

But his ongoing drug problems are dividing a band on the cusp of greatness.

 

Privately, many in the music industry are comparing him to disillusioned NIRVANA frontman KURT COBAIN, who committed suicide in 1994.

 

But despite Pete’s paranoia, I’m assured his bandmates, management and family are doing everything they can to help him.

 

One source said: "Everybody involved has said they would sacrifice The Libertines for the sake of Pete’s health, no questions asked. But he has to want to help himself first.

 

"Ideally, he will come back to the band - but only when he’s feeling on top form again."

 

Pete’s dramatic exit has put the The Libertines summer festival appearances at the Isle Of Wight and Carling Weekend in doubt.

 

The band have also been forced to finish mastering their second album, produced by ex-CLASH guitarist MICK JONES, without him. Thankfully, most of the album had been finished before Pete went into hiding and despite the band’s problems, it’s shaping up as one of the must-have records of the year.

 

Whether Pete recovers in Paris or The Priory, let’s hope The Libertines are back together again in time for their summer gigs.

 

As one of Britain’s most exciting bands, the musical landscape is certainly a lot blander without them.

 

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Why the sad face?

 

More bands should break-up at their peak, and you've been to an historic gig!!

 

Why record a second album that isn't as good as the first??

 

That's the sort of rock'n'roll we need.

 

 

[Sun]

""the musical landscape is certainly a lot blander without them.

""

LOL

 

 

what a load of chuff

 

Doherty's a fackin lightweight

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Quote:

Pete: "It breaks my heart. He treats me badly and every time I come running back like a battered housewife.

You burgled his fking house, you [***!!***].