15/07/2025
Of course we had to do a history of this week 🎸
Originally called The Rain, the original members consisted of Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs on guitar, Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan on bass, and Tony McCarroll on drums. Liam Gallagher was brought on as the vocalist and the band became Oasis. Noel Gallagher joined the band after touring with the Inspiral Carpets as a roadie.
In 1993, whilst playing at a gig in Glasgow, Alan McGee (cofounder of Creation Records) offered the group a contract. The following year, the group released their debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’. The album went straight to number one in the UK charts, and became the fastest selling debut record in the UK at the time.
‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ was released in 1995. ‘Some Might Say’ and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ reached number one in the UK charts, but ‘Wonderwall’ became the band’s most enduring ballad, despite only reaching number two. However, it did become Oasis’ biggest hit in the USA. During this time, drummer Alan White replaced Tony McCarroll.
The Gallagher brothers began to appear in the headlines for their fighting, and drug and alcohol use. During the recording of ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants’ in 1999, two of the band’s founding members, Arthurs and McGuigan, left the group within weeks of each other. They were replaced by Gem Archer and Andy Bell, respectively. In 2004, White also left the group, being replaced by guest drummer Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr. He was then replaced by Chris Sharrock.
In 2009, whilst backstage waiting to perform at the Rock En Seine festival in Paris, the Gallagher brothers had a heated argument which made Noel decide to abruptly leave the band.
The band went their separate ways. Noel went on to form ‘Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’, and Liam formed ‘Beady Eye’. Both bands were a moderate success, but neither were as popular as Oasis.
In 2024, 15 years after the split, it was announced that Oasis would be performing together again, with a summer tour across the UK in 2025; dates for the USA, Mexico and Canada were also later added.
#🐝❤️
