Albert Hammond Jr.
Known model-dater Albert Hammond Jr. makes up one fifth of the painfully hip rock band The Strokes.
The son of easy-listening singer-songwriter Albert Hammond, who penned the 1972 hit "It Never Rains in Southern California," and an Argentine former model, as a teen Hammond attended the Swiss boarding school Le Rosey, which is where he first met Julian Casablancas. Hammond only lasted six months at the school, but he reunited with Casablancas years later when they were both living in the city. Along with Nick Valensi, Nikolai Fraiture, and Fabrizio Moretti, they started up The Strokes in 1999. Hammond Jr is lead guitarist for the band, and a known work-horse. Having the most business acumen of the other dudes, in the early days Hammond Jr. would book shows and harass record big shots as the bands "agent" using the pseudonym "Paul Spencer." Hammond Jr. is also credited with the creating the bands relentlessly imitated look of Lower East Side cool, and is frequently seen wearing his signature three piece suits. In 2008, he teamed up with designer Ilaria Urbinati to create an upscale line of men's clothing for the LA store Confederacy.
An integral member of the band, Hammond Jr. was sent to rehab in 2009 after an ultimatum from his bandmates during the recording of their album, Angles. The record was put on pause while Hammond recovered from a "hardcore" drug problem that points the finger directly at the unnamed culprit: hardcore heroin. He has returned to the studio with The Strokes, and is enjoying the sober life. He has also released two solo albums: 2008's Your's To Keep and 2008's ¿Cómo Te Llama? While much has been made of The Strokes' perfected brand of rock and roll ennui, none of the individual members seems to be able to surpass the success of their platinum 2001 debut, Is This It.
Hammond has also been famously linked to It-girl Agyness Deyn, and the whirlwind relationship imploded after a Valentine's Day spread in Vogue after only one year.
[Image via Getty]