Oasis was a British rock band formed in Manchester by the brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. Oasis’s compulsive, melodic hit singles had a great impact on rock music in the 1990’s. The group was surrounded by controversy over their brash behavior and open use of drugs.
The original members of Oasis were Liam Gallagher (vocals), Noel Gallagher (guitar, songwriting), Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs (guitar), Tony McCarroll (drums), and Paul McGuigan (bass). The group had several personnel changes since its formation.
The Gallagher brothers were both born in Manchester, England. Noel Thomas David Gallagher was born on May 29, 1967. William John Paul Gallagher, known as Liam, was born on Sept. 21, 1972. After leaving school, the brothers had various jobs, and Noel worked as a roadie (general helper) for the band the Inspiral Carpets. The Gallaghers formed Oasis in 1991 and played their first concert the following year. In 1994, their debut album Definitely Maybe went to the top of the music charts in the United Kingdom. The follow-up (What’s the Story) Morning Glory (1995) was the biggest-selling album in the United Kingdom since Michael Jackson’s album Bad (1987). Other albums by Oasis include Be Here Now (1997), Standing on the Shoulders of Giants (2000), Heathen Chemistry (2002), Don’t Believe the Truth (2005), and Dig Out Your Soul (2008).
The Gallagher brothers were known for clashing with each other. Noel left the group in 2009, and Liam retired the group’s name in 2010. In 2009, Liam formed the group Beady Eye with other former members of Oasis. Beady Eye’s first album, Different Gear, Still Speeding, was released in 2011. In 2010, Noel formed the solo project Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The group released a self-titled album in 2011.
