Patrick Walden has died. The Babyshambles guitarist’s death was announced on social media by the British rock band.
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“It is with deep regret and sadness that we share the news of Patrick Walden’s death,” the band wrote alongside a black and white photo of the musician. “We feel very fortunate to have known/loved and worked with him and we kindly ask for respect and privacy during these difficult times.”
The statement was signed by band members frontman Pete Doherty, bassist Drew McConnell, guitarist Mick Whitnall, and drummer Adam Ficek.
The band provided no further details about Walden’s death.
Patrick Walden’s Life and Career
Doherty founded Babyshambles in 2004. When Walden joined the group, he did so alongside McConnell on bass and Gemma Clarke on drums.
During his tenure, Walden co-wrote six songs on Babyshambles’ debut LP, Down in Albion.
Among those tracks was “F**k Forever,” which became Babyshambles’ biggest single, reaching No. 4 on the U.K. singles chart, per Variety.
Walden exited the band shortly thereafter amid drug issues and assault allegations. The latter charges were eventually dropped, per the outlet.
Following his departure, Walden was replaced by Whitnall on Babyshambles’ 2007 sophomore album, Shotter’s Nation, Rolling Stone reported.
However, Walden did play several shows with the group over the years. When the band reunited in 2024, though, Walden did not join them, the outlets reported.
Back in December, Doherty suggested that a Babyshambles 20th anniversary reunion tour may be in the works, though it remained unclear if Walden would be a part of it.
“It is on the cards,” Doherty told NME at the time. “We will get back together and get in a room with the instruments and play through the old songs, then get on stage and do it.”
“But it’s the ‘who’ and the ‘when’ that needs to be worked out,” he continued. “I think we’ll just keep that one on the horizon and deal with that one next year.”
Throughout his career, Walden also played with groups including Fluid, The White Sport, and Six Cold Thousand. Furthermore, Consequence of Sound reported that Walden worked as a session musician for artists including James Blunt, Whitey, and The Honeymoon.
Photo by Sandy Caspers/Redferns
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