Patrick Walden: A Tribute to the Late Babyshambles Guitarist
Patrick Walden, the guitarist of the British group Babyshambles, has passed away at the age of 46. The news was announced by the band on social media, who expressed their deep regret and sadness at his passing.
Early Life and Career
Walden, who was from London, had a short-lived stint with Babyshambles, which was formed by Pete Doherty in 2004 after he was kicked out of The Libertines due to drug abuse. Walden joined the group as the lead guitarist, alongside Doherty on vocals, Drew McConnell on bass, and Gemma Clarke on drums.
Musical Contributions
During his time with Babyshambles, Walden co-wrote six songs on the band’s debut album "Down in Albion", including "Fuck Forever", "Pipedown", and "Loyalty Song". The album was a moderate success in the UK, reaching number 10 on the charts, with "Fuck Forever" becoming the band’s biggest single and reaching number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
Personal Struggles and Departure from the Band
Walden’s time with Babyshambles was cut short in 2005 when he was arrested and charged with attacking his girlfriend while under the influence of drugs. Although the charges were eventually dropped, Walden left the band and went on to pursue other musical projects, including playing with bands such as Fluid and White Sport.
Later Years and Legacy
Over the years, Walden would occasionally rejoin Babyshambles for one-off appearances, although he never officially rejoined the band. He was not present for the band’s reunion last year, and it was unclear whether he would have participated in any future performances. Despite his personal struggles, Walden’s contributions to Babyshambles and the music world will not be forgotten. The band has asked for respect and privacy during this difficult time, and fans are mourning the loss of a talented musician who left an indelible mark on the music scene.
