Music has a long history of iconic duos—Lennon & McCartney, Andre & Big Boi, Sam & Dave, Jack & Meg, Mel & Kim—who, when paired, create magic beyond their solo abilities. These partnerships turn talent into greatness. Noel Gallagher understands this dynamic well.
While he’s a skilled musician on his own, his partnership with his brother Liam in Oasis elevated them into one of the world’s biggest bands, showing just how powerful a creative pairing can be.
In 2005, Gallagher reflected on this phenomenon in an interview with News AU, and he saw a similar potential in another musician who was making waves in British rock. But who did he think had the chemistry of Lennon and McCartney or Morrissey and Marr? It was Peter Doherty, who had just released Down in Albion with his new band, Babyshambles.
Gallagher wasn’t impressed, saying, “He’s not the genius everyone makes him out to be. In fact, far from a genius if his new album’s anything to go by. Him and Carl [Barat of The Libertines] were great for each other. Apart, they’ll probably be shocking.”
Gallagher’s critique held weight. After all, he understood firsthand the challenges of solo projects versus collaborative work. Interestingly, Doherty and Barat’s initial inspiration as the Libertines was, in fact, Oasis.
Doherty famously described the Libertines’ music as “someone waking up in the rubbish chute at the back of the estate, trying to work out what day it is” in contrast to Oasis’ sound, which he saw as “the sound of a council estate singing its heart out.”
And then, there’s the infamous video. A teenage Doherty, barely 17, queued up to buy Be Here Now, declaring his admiration for the Gallaghers by calling Noel “a poet” and Liam “a town crier.” Doherty later dismissed it as a stunt to get on TV, but the truth is hard to deny—his admiration for Oasis was evident.
Despite Gallagher’s dismissive take on Doherty’s solo work, Doherty was undoubtedly the creative engine of the Libertines. Down in Albion shows that spirit—raw, unfiltered, and overflowing with ideas.
However, it also reveals the pitfalls of unchecked creativity, something that Doherty’s former Libertines partner, Carl Barat, helped to refine in their earlier work. Barat’s knack for editing and pop sensibility balanced Doherty’s chaotic energy, making them another unforgettable duo in British rock.
Fortunately, Doherty and Barat recognized this dynamic themselves and eventually reunited for a one-off show in 2010, leading to a full-time reunion in 2014. They continue to play together, reigniting the energy they once had.
Meanwhile, Gallagher, true to his own insights, hasn’t reunited with his brother, but the Libertines and Oasis now both perform for new generations of fans. Music lovers can finally enjoy the legacy of both bands as they continue to shape the landscape of rock and roll.
