Oasis originally consisted of Liam John Gallagher (21 September 1972, vocals), Noel Thomas Gallagher (29 May 1967, guitar/vocals), Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass), and Tony McCaroll (drums).
Prior to the group forming, the history of Oasis dates back to the Gallagher brothers. The brothers, Noel and Liam, were raised by Roman Irish Catholic parents in the southern Manchester suburb of Burnage. The boys’ father was a C&W DJ. When Noel was only 11 years old, his father purchased a guitar for him. His oldest son, who was dyslexic, loved punk music. Although interested with music, Noel still had other hobbies. He participated in teenage crime including truancy, burglary and glue sniffing. After being placed on parole because he robbed a local store, Noel turned to music seriously. In 1989, Noel’s older brother took him to see Inspirational Carpets. It was at that concert where Noel met Clint Boon, and eventually became a guitar technician for the band. Noel went around the world working for the Inspirational Carpets. One day, he called home and his mother had said Liam joined a band.
The group Liam was in (which would later become Oasis) went by the name of Rain. In 1992, upon hearing the news from his mother, Noel returned home to Manchester. He joined the band with the agreement that he had complete control over the band; including the writing of the songs. Everyone agreed. The band then changed their name to Oasis and began rehearsing. At first, Oasis played small clubs. In May 1993, they drove to Glasgow to support 18 wheelers at King Tut’s Wah Wah Club. Oasis managed to get on the bill, and they played five songs. While at the club, Oasis cornered Alan McGee who was the president of Creation records and convinced him to listen to their demo. McGee was impressed and signed the group right there.
In the spring of 1994, Oasis released their debut single entitled ‘Supersonic.’ The song received critical acclaim and positive reviews. Their next single, ‘I’d Like To Teach The World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony),’ went t number 11 on British charts. In the early summer of that year the single, ‘Shakermaker,’ was also a huge hit. One month before their album release, Oasis released ‘Live Forever.’ The group had become a major hit in London even before their debut album was released.
Oasis’s debut album, Definitely Maybe, was released in September 1994. It was the fastest selling album in British history, and entered the charts at number one. The press was calling the group’s popularity, Oasis Mania. By this time. Oasis was no longer playing in small, intimate clubs. Rather, the group performed in large theatres. Although he group was receiving a lot of success, there was also a lot of tension in the band. Liam and Noel were always fighting, and refused to do joint interviews. The album’s song, ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol,’ became a stage favorite. It is also the band’s biggest UK single. In the Fall, Oasis set out to do an American tour. The tour ended, however, after Noel left the band and flew back to London. When the group returned back to England, Noel rejoined the group. By this time, ‘Supersonic,’ was high on the US charts. The song, ‘Whatever,’ was huge in Britain. A Oasis’s success grew so did the rumors about their boozing, drugs, and bad behavior.
In 1995, Oasis decided to concentrate more on America. Their single, ‘Live Forever,’ received a lot of attention from MTV and radios. It peaked at number two. The single’s sleeve featured a picture of the house where John Lennon grew up. It was not long after, however, that the group received more press when Noel stated to the press he hoped Damon Albarn from the Brit-Pop group, Blur, would “die from AIDS.” The guitarist would later apologize for that statement. Definitely Maybe soon went gold in the United States. The group began playing a sold-out American Tour. Afterwards, Oasis returned back to England where they began recording ‘Some Might Say.’ Prior to the single’s release, drummer Tony McCaroll left the band. He was replaced by Alan White. The single soon went to number one on the charts.
In October 1995, Oasis released (What’s The Story) Morning Glory. The album was the fastest selling album in British history since Michael Jackson’s Bad. It had become Britain’s second biggest British album In history. Oasis was an international phenomenon. The singles, ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger,’ were huge hits. All this time, the Gallagher brothers continued to be in the press for their antics. The group irritated fans when they pulled out of a late summer tour that year.
In the spring of 1997, Oasis finished recording their third album. The album was foreshadowed as being the best pop album of the era and the band was receiving a lot of media attention. The group’s ego was growing, as they proclaimed themselves to be just like The Beatles. That same year, Noel married his longtime girlfriend, Meg Matthews (there were rumors she was pregnant) and Liam married actress, Patsy Kensit. Both marriages would spawn children and end in 2000.
Be Here Now was released in late August of 1997. The title was inspired by a comment made by John Lennon concerning the state of Rock N’ Roll. The album’s first single was ‘D’You Know What I Mean.’ The album had great success. There were lines outside record shops of anxious fans wanting to purchase the album. Within 24 hours of the album’s release, 800,000 copies were sold. Other singles for the album were, ‘All Around the World’ and ‘Stand By Me.’ Once again, the constant bickering and in-group tensions were rampant and Oasis ended another tour early. Liam was arrested in Australia after being accuse of assaulting a fan. Charges were later dropped.
In 1998, Oasis released a collection of B Sides entitled Master Plan. During the summer of 1999, the band began recording their fourth album. ‘Bonehead’ soon left the band claiming he wanted more time with his family. The day after he left, Noel made a statement saying: “It’s hardly Paul McCartney leaving the Beatles.” Andy bell was Bonehead’s guitar replacement. Later that year, Liam and Patsy had their first child, Lennon named after the John Lennon.
Oasis then released Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. Their first single was ‘Go Let It Out.’ The album did not do very well, and did not receive positive reviews. In Fall 2000, Oasis embarked on a world tour. Liam and Patsy broke up after it was discovered he was cheating on her. When news broke to the British public that Liam was cheating on Patsy with All Saints singer, Nicole Appleton, Liam and Nicole received a huge backlash from the British press. A poll taken said that Liam “was more hated than Saddam Hussein.” After their marriage crumbled, patsy booked herself into the Priory clinic and released a statement in May 2000 stating she was ‘emotionally drained.’
Oasis soon released their first ever live album entitled Familiar to Millions. The album focused on the group’s July 2000 concert at Wembley Stadium. The album was released in six different formats including: CD, cassette, DVD, VHS, triple vinyl, and mini disc. In May 2001, Noel walked out of a Paris concert after fighting with Liam. The two then only communicated through the press with insults. In July 2001, Liam and Nicole had a child. The two had a boy they names Gene.
In 2002, Liam and Nicole announced their engagement. In 2002, Oasis released heathen Chemistry to critical acclaim. This album was also more democratic with other members writing music. The album’s strongest singles, however, (‘Little By Little” and “Stop crying your Heart out”) were written by Noel. The group then embarked on a summer tour of the United States. Noel, and two other band members (Jay Darlington (keyboard), Any Bell), were injured when their taxi hit another vehicle while they were in Indianapolis. The group had to cancel shows in Indianapolis, Boston, and Philadelphia. The single, “Hindu Times,” was barely noticed by MTV. The single featured Beatles member, George Harrison, playing the Indian drums. In December 2002, Liam and other member of Oasis got into a street fight while in Munich, Germany. The band’s security guards were sent to the hospital and Liam had facial injuries. Liam was also arrested. This got Oasis a lot of media attention. In late winter of 2003, Oasis released the single, ‘Songbird.”
In 2004, the only originally member of Oasis left are the Gallagher brothers. The two continue to make headlines because of their outrageous behavior and constant fighting.
Bio written by: bandhunt |
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