![1 - The Libertines founding members, Pete Doherty and Carl Barat, met while Barat was studying drama at Brunel University in Uxbridge in 1997. The pair (Doherty was doing an English literature course at Queen Mary, University of London) soon dropped out of education to pursue their interest in music.]()
1 - The Libertines founding members, Pete Doherty and Carl Barat, met while Barat was studying drama at Brunel University in Uxbridge in 1997. The pair (Doherty was doing an English literature course at Queen Mary, University of London) soon dropped out of education to pursue their interest in music.
![2 - Before drummer Gary Powell and bassist John Hassell were recruited to the band in 2001, The Libertines employed a revolving line-up, including at one point Johnny Borrell, who went on to form Razorlight.]()
2 - Before drummer Gary Powell and bassist John Hassell were recruited to the band in 2001, The Libertines employed a revolving line-up, including at one point Johnny Borrell, who went on to form Razorlight.
![3 - Although the band shot to fame with 'Up The Bracket', their original army of fans were won over by their home-made demos, including the notably Beatles-inspired eight-track EP' Legs'.]()
3 - Although the band shot to fame with 'Up The Bracket', their original army of fans were won over by their home-made demos, including the notably Beatles-inspired eight-track EP' Legs'.
![4 - The Libertines fondness for impromptu guerilla gigs distorted the usual line between band and fans. The most famous shows took place at Doherty and Barat's Bethnal Green house, dubbed The Albion Rooms, in 2001.]()
4 - The Libertines fondness for impromptu guerilla gigs distorted the usual line between band and fans. The most famous shows took place at Doherty and Barat's Bethnal Green house, dubbed The Albion Rooms, in 2001.
![5 - The group were signed to Rough Trade in December 2001, following a plan hatched by then manager Banny Poostchi. Support tours with The Stokes and The Vines quickly followed.]()
5 - The group were signed to Rough Trade in December 2001, following a plan hatched by then manager Banny Poostchi. Support tours with The Stokes and The Vines quickly followed.
![6 - The Libertines released their debut album 'Up The Bracket' on October 21 2002. Produced by former Clash star Mick Jones, it debuted at number 35 on the UK album chart.]()
6 - The Libertines released their debut album 'Up The Bracket' on October 21 2002. Produced by former Clash star Mick Jones, it debuted at number 35 on the UK album chart.
![7 - With their notoriety growing, Doherty's use of drugs -most notably crack cocaine and heroin - became more prevalent. As a result, his relationship with his band mates soured, and often led to the last-minute cancellation of gigs - a reputation which has plagued Doherty ever since.]()
7 - With their notoriety growing, Doherty's use of drugs -most notably crack cocaine and heroin - became more prevalent. As a result, his relationship with his band mates soured, and often led to the last-minute cancellation of gigs - a reputation which has plagued Doherty ever since.
![8 - Doherty documented much of his life in the Books of Albion. Containing a mixture of poems and song lyrics, a collection of exerts from the books were released in 2007.]()
8 - Doherty documented much of his life in the Books of Albion. Containing a mixture of poems and song lyrics, a collection of exerts from the books were released in 2007.
![9 - Despite much infighting, The Libertines jetted off to America in spring 2003 to work on the follow-up to 'Up The Bracket'. The resulting Babyshambles Sessions spawned a number of songs which appeared on both 'The Libertines' and Doherty's subsequent work with Babyshambles.]()
9 - Despite much infighting, The Libertines jetted off to America in spring 2003 to work on the follow-up to 'Up The Bracket'. The resulting Babyshambles Sessions spawned a number of songs which appeared on both 'The Libertines' and Doherty's subsequent work with Babyshambles.
![10 - It was during their time in New York that Doherty and Barat also got matching Libertines tattoos, as an attempted show of unity.]()
10 - It was during their time in New York that Doherty and Barat also got matching Libertines tattoos, as an attempted show of unity.
![11 - But relations continued to worse, with The Libertines embarking on European and Japan dates without Doherty, who took out his anger on Barat by burgling his bandmates flat. After pleading guilty to burglary, he was sentenced to six months in jail, although this was reduced on appeal. to two months.]()
11 - But relations continued to worse, with The Libertines embarking on European and Japan dates without Doherty, who took out his anger on Barat by burgling his bandmates flat. After pleading guilty to burglary, he was sentenced to six months in jail, although this was reduced on appeal. to two months.
![12 - Putting the burglary in the past, Barat met Doherty at the prison gates upon his release from prison in October 2003. Joined by Powell and Hassell, the pair went on to play a freedom gig at the Tap'n'Tin pub, in Chatham, Kent on the same day, which was followed in December 2003 by a three-night run at the Forum in Kentish Town.]()
12 - Putting the burglary in the past, Barat met Doherty at the prison gates upon his release from prison in October 2003. Joined by Powell and Hassell, the pair went on to play a freedom gig at the Tap'n'Tin pub, in Chatham, Kent on the same day, which was followed in December 2003 by a three-night run at the Forum in Kentish Town.
![13 - Fresh of the back of a UK tour, The Libertines started work on their second album in Spring 2004. Producer Mick Jones once again helmed the release after Doherty failed to establish a working relationship with original producer, Bernard Butler. 'The Libertines' topped the UK chart upon when it was released on August 30 2004.]()
13 - Fresh of the back of a UK tour, The Libertines started work on their second album in Spring 2004. Producer Mick Jones once again helmed the release after Doherty failed to establish a working relationship with original producer, Bernard Butler. 'The Libertines' topped the UK chart upon when it was released on August 30 2004.
![14 - The Libertines chart success was once again eclipsed by Doherty's drug problems. The singer endured numerous stints at the Priory, one of which lasted less than a week. Shortly after he left for the second time, the band played an impromptu show at Barat's new club night, Bright Young Things. It was the last time they would play together.]()
14 - The Libertines chart success was once again eclipsed by Doherty's drug problems. The singer endured numerous stints at the Priory, one of which lasted less than a week. Shortly after he left for the second time, the band played an impromptu show at Barat's new club night, Bright Young Things. It was the last time they would play together.
![15 - As Doherty's attempts to get clean continued (taking him as far a field as Thailand), Barat, Hassell and Powell (joined by guitarist Anthony Rossomando) continued on without him. But with the singer missing it just wasn't the same, and The Libertines played their last gig (with Doherty still absent) in Paris on December 17 2004.]()
15 - As Doherty's attempts to get clean continued (taking him as far a field as Thailand), Barat, Hassell and Powell (joined by guitarist Anthony Rossomando) continued on without him. But with the singer missing it just wasn't the same, and The Libertines played their last gig (with Doherty still absent) in Paris on December 17 2004.
![16 - Following the band's demise, Doherty turned Babyshamles into a full-time venture. The band has to date released two albums, 'Down In Albion' (2005) and 'Shotter's Nation (2007), but much of their music has been overshadowed by Doherty's private life. Amid continued drug problems, the singer has enjoyed a number of high profile romances, most notably with supermodel Kate Moss.]()
16 - Following the band's demise, Doherty turned Babyshamles into a full-time venture. The band has to date released two albums, 'Down In Albion' (2005) and 'Shotter's Nation (2007), but much of their music has been overshadowed by Doherty's private life. Amid continued drug problems, the singer has enjoyed a number of high profile romances, most notably with supermodel Kate Moss.
![17 - Barat took a more extended break away from the spotlight before returning with his own band. Dirty Pretty Things. The group's debut 'Waterloo To Anywhere' enjoyed commercial success in the UK, but the 2008 follow-up 'Romance At Short Notice' failed to match it. The band split in December 2008.]()
17 - Barat took a more extended break away from the spotlight before returning with his own band. Dirty Pretty Things. The group's debut 'Waterloo To Anywhere' enjoyed commercial success in the UK, but the 2008 follow-up 'Romance At Short Notice' failed to match it. The band split in December 2008.
![18 - Since the end of The Libertines, Powell and Hassall have also continued working. The drummer joined Barat in Dirty Pretty Things, while Hassall formed London band Yeti.]()
18 - Since the end of The Libertines, Powell and Hassall have also continued working. The drummer joined Barat in Dirty Pretty Things, while Hassall formed London band Yeti.
![19 - The Libertines announced their reformation during a press conference at North London pub The Boogaloo on March 30 2010. The event saw an impromptu acoustic performance from the group, who will play the Reading and Leeds festival in August.]()
19 - The Libertines announced their reformation during a press conference at North London pub The Boogaloo on March 30 2010. The event saw an impromptu acoustic performance from the group, who will play the Reading and Leeds festival in August.
![20 - Although nothing is confirmed, both Barat and Doherty have hinted at recording new material together. Could the good ship Albion be ready to sail again?]()
20 - Although nothing is confirmed, both Barat and Doherty have hinted at recording new material together. Could the good ship Albion be ready to sail again?