The Libertines pay tribute to early drummer Paul Dufour, who has died

8 September 2022, 11:18 | Updated: 8 September 2022, 11:22

The Libertines shared an early image of the band and expressed their shock and sadness alongside their heartfelt condolences to Dufour's friends and family.

The Libertines have paid tribute to their early drummer Paul Dufour following his passing this week.

Taking to Instagram, the Don't Look Back Into The Sun rockers - made up of Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, John Hassall and Gary Powell - shared a heartfelt statement on the sad news.

Posting an early image of themselves in black and white with the percussionist, they wrote: "Paul Dufour, our much loved drummer from the early days, passed away last night. We are all in great shock and sadness. Sending love and thoughts to Paul’s friends and family. It was honour to play with you Mr Razzcocks.

"Forever in our hearts x"

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Fans rushed to share their condolences and Oliver Mejia added in the comments section: "Thank you Mr. Dufour for giving us a wonderful start to this story and for all those wonderful demos. You will always be remembered."

Jack O'Beirne wrote on Twitter: "Had the pleasure of meeting him earlier this year. Was a really nice bloke that spoke very highly of his time in the band. Spoke to him for ages about it all."

With it came a recent image of himself sat behind a drum kit with Dufour, who is also affectionally known as Mr Razzcocks.

Another wrote on Twitter: "Not Mr Razzcocks some of his early drumming was so rhythmic and smooooth also what a guy! RIP Mr Razzcocks".

Dufour had a short stint with the band when they first formed in 2000 when they were in his twenties and he was in his late '40s.

Watch Dufour talk about his time in the band below.

Paul Dufour on The Libertines

The band went on to be signed by December 2001 and went on to release their first single, a double A-side of What a Waster and I Get Along on 3rd June 2002.

The Libs' Up the Bracket album, which was released in October 2002, celebrated it's 20th anniversary this year, which the band marked with shows, including a homecoming Wembley Arena gig.

Looking to the future, Gary Powell teased details on their much awaited third studio album and the follow-up to 2015's Anthems For Doomed Youth.

"The good thing is everybody’s been writing," he told NME. "I’m hoping there’s going to be a whole new fervour and interesting dimension added to how we approach things.

“Obviously, we’re not going to try and reinvent the wheel and be like Depeche Mode going from rock ‘n’ roll to electronic, but I think we can push the boat out a little more while still bringing something that has the same emotional integrity and dynamism that the audience craves when they come to a Libertines show.”

READ MORE: It's 25 years since Pete Doherty queued for Oasis' Be Here Now album