Oasis biography
Oasis formed in Manchester in 1991. Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, along with school friends Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs on guitar, Paul McGuigan on bass and drummer Tony McCarroll, exploded onto the music scene following their first record 'Definitely Maybe.' They've sold over 70 million records worldwide and won countless awards.
Superstardom
Oasis hit the big time after the release of Definitely Maybe,which became the fastest selling debut album of all time in the UK when it hit the shops in 1994. It went straight to number one, shifting over seven million copies worldwide. Although it only reached number 58 in the States, it marked the beginning of the band's success across the pond.
The following year, Oasis had their first UK number one single with 'Some Might Say', released in April 1995, and taken from their second album, the critically acclaimed (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, which won a BRIT Award in 2010 for Best Album of the last thirty years. Liam went on stage to collect the gong, but after failing to thank his brother Noel during his rather colourful acceptance speech, decided to hurl it into the crowd!
Back to Spring 1995, and by now, drummer Tony McCarroll had left the band following an apparent 'personality clash' with the Gallaghers and was replaced by Londoner Alan White. The same year saw the national media go into a frenzy over the so-called rivalry between Oasis and Damon Alban's band Blur, which saw them pitted against each other during the 'Battle of Britpop.' Blur's single 'Country House' eventually beat their rivals' 'Roll With It' in the race for the number one, but it's now claimed Oasis have actually enjoyed the most headlines since.
The group's success continued, with 'Don't Look Back in Anger' becoming their second UK number one, going platinum and for the first time featuring Noel on lead vocals. The mighty 'Wonderwall' came from the same album and made it to number two in the charts, proving to be their American breakthrough which gave them their only top ten U.S hit, reaching number eight. However, 'Champagne Supernova', their epic seven minute closing track with Paul Weller on guitar and backing vocals, did earn them number one in the US Alternative charts.
Cool Britannia
Oasis released their third album Be Here Now in the summer of 1997, when Cool Britannia was well in swing. Noel was invited to a reception at Downing Street, along with other 'celebrities of the moment,' with Oasis now declaring themselves the biggest band in the world. On the first day of its release, the record sold more than 400,000 copies, becoming the fastest selling album in UK history. It went on to sell over eight million worldwide and reached the number two spot in the U.S.
Line-up shake-up
At the start of 1999, the band had another shake up, after founding members Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs left to spend more time with his family, while bassist Paul McGuigan also announced his departure. However the Gallaghers reassured the world that Oasis would continue and went on to record fourth album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants which went to number one in the UK and 24 in the U.S charts. The group soon found replacements in Colin 'Gem' Archer and Andy Bell, and embarked on a world tour.
Heathen Chemistry
Soon after the turn of the 21st Century, Oasis began work on their fifth studio album Heathen Chemistry, which again topped the UK charts. Four singles from the album were released including 'Songbird,' which was written by Liam, making it to number three in the UK charts.
In 2002, Oasis kicked off another world tour, but some U.S shows were cancelled after Noel was involved in a car accident, although he escaped unharmed. Several German shows were also pulled after Liam and a few members of the band got involved in a nightclub brawl and arrested and this is when he famously had two of his front teeth knocked out.
It would be three years before Oasis released their sixth album, Don't Believe the Truth, which like Heathen Chemistry was a joint effort rather than being fully penned by Noel. It also went straight to number one and was the first record in ten years not to feature Alan White, who'd left the band for personal reasons. He was replaced by The Who's drummer Zak Starkey, the son of The Beatles legend Ringo Starr.
In the Spring of 2005, Oasis hit the road again and three years later, their seventh and final album, Dig Out Your Soul was released. It gave them another UK number one and they released several tracks from it, including 'The Shock of the Lightning', 'I'm Outta Time' and 'Falling Down.'
Noel Gallagher quits
After receiving a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to music in 2007, Oasis were named Best British Band of 2009 and soon after, rumours were rife that Noel wanted to go solo, but at the time he denied the claims. However, Noel and Liam's constant squabbling finally lead to the elder sibling calling it a day after another bust up, this time at a gig in Paris. Noel said he could no longer work with his brother and confirmed he'd quit. Only the week before, Oasis pulled out of the V Festival, claiming Liam had 'lost his voice.'
He announced the end of Oasis, but said he planned to record new material with Gem Archer and Andy Bell under a brand new name, with a possible album out in the summer of 2010. Meanwhile Noel announced his first solo performance since quitting the band would be at the Concerts for Teenage Cancer Trust at London's Royal Albert Hall in March of the same year.
As promised Liam Gallagher unveiled Beady Eye which was made up of ex-Oasis members – apart from Noel, obviously! They released their first single in 2009 and toured shortly afterwards, with Liam determined to put his past with his brother firmly behind him – refusing to talk about Oasis in many media interviews.
Noel Gallagher launched his own solo work in 2011, as part of the act 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.' He held a press conference shortly before doing so, in which he gave his side to the Oasis split, and gave an insight into the demise of the band.