Oasis, the legendary British rock band, was formed in Manchester in 1991 by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, along with their friends Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan, and Tony McCarroll. The band’s rise to fame was meteoric, but their success was marred by the bitter feud between the Gallagher brothers. Here’s a timeline of the band’s history and the sibling rivalry that led to their downfall.

1991-1994: Formation and Early Success

Oasis was formed in 1991 when Liam Gallagher, a former roadie for the band Inspiral Carpets, decided to start his own band with his older brother Noel, who was the lead guitarist of the band. They recruited Bonehead, Guigsy, and McCarroll to complete the lineup. The band’s early gigs were marked by Liam’s aggressive stage presence and Noel’s catchy songwriting.

1994: Signing with Creation Records and the Release of ‘Definitely Maybe‘

After a series of gigs and demo tapes, Oasis was signed to Creation Records in 1994. Their debut album, ‘Definitely Maybe,’ was released in August of the same year and became the fastest-selling debut album in British history. The album spawned hits like ‘Supersonic’ and ‘Shakermaker,’ cementing the band’s status as one of the leading acts of the Britpop movement.

1995: The Release of ‘Morning Glory‘ and the Height of Success

Following the success of ‘Definitely Maybe,’ Oasis released their second album, ‘Morning Glory,’ in October 1995. The album was a massive hit, featuring hits like ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger.’ The album went on to become the best-selling album in British history, with over 22 million copies sold worldwide.

1996: The Infamous Knebworth Concerts

In August 1996, Oasis performed two sold-out concerts at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire, England, with over 150,000 attendees per night. The concerts were seen as the pinnacle of the Britpop movement and cemented Oasis‘s status as one of the biggest bands in the world.

1997: The Release of ‘Be Here Now‘ and the Start of the Feud

Oasis released their third album, ‘Be Here Now,’ in August 1997. Although the album was a commercial success, it received mixed reviews from critics, who felt that the album was overproduced and lacking in depth. This marked the beginning of the Gallagher brothers’ feud, with Noel accusing Liam of not contributing enough to the album’s songwriting process.

1999: The Release of ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants‘ and the Departure of Founding Members

Oasis released their fourth album, ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants,’ in February 2000. The album saw the departure of founding members Bonehead and Guigsy, who were replaced by Gem Archer and Andy Bell. The album was a commercial success but received mixed reviews from critics.

2000-2004: Lineup Changes and Declining Popularity

Following the release of ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants,’ Oasis went through several lineup changes, including the departure of drummer Alan White and the addition of drummer Chris Sharrock. The band released their fifth album, ‘Heathen Chemistry,’ in July 2002, which saw the return of founding drummer Tony McCarroll. Although the album was a commercial success, it marked a decline in the band’s popularity.

2005-2009: The Release of ‘Don’t Believe the Truth‘ and ‘Dig Out Your Soul‘

Oasis released their sixth album, ‘Don’t Believe the Truth,’ in May 2005, which featured the hit single ‘The Importance of Being Idle.’ The album was a return to form for the band and received positive reviews from critics. The band released their seventh and final album, ‘Dig Out Your Soul,’ in October 2008, which featured the hit single ‘The Shock of the Lightning.’ The album was a commercial success but received mixed reviews from critics.

2009: The Final Split

Oasis‘s final concert took place on August 28, 2009, at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. Shortly after the concert, Noel announced that he was leaving the band due to a fight in the dressing room. The remaining members of the band went on to form the band Beady Eye, releasing two albums before disbanding in 2014. Noel formed the High Flying Birds and released his debut solo album, ‘Noel Gallagher‘s High Flying Birds,’ in 2011.

2011-Present: Post-Oasis Projects and Reconciliation Rumors

Since the split, both Liam and Noel have pursued successful solo careers. Liam released his debut solo album, ‘As You Were,’ in 2017, while Noel released his third solo album, ‘Who Built the Moon?,’ in 2017. Despite rumors of a possible Oasis reunion, the Gallagher brothers have yet to reconcile and reform the band. Instead, they continue to tour and release music with their respective projects.

Conclusion

Oasis‘s rise to fame was meteoric, but their success was marred by the bitter feud between the Gallagher brothers. Despite their differences, the band left an indelible mark on the music industry and remains one of the most influential bands of the Britpop era. For more information on the Gallagher brothers and their post-Oasis projects, visit our dedicated section on the Independent’s website.

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