The fans had been waiting all night. As anticipation grew and chants of “Oasis” got louder and louder, and with one minute only remaining before Oasis took the stage, suddenly they did not take the stage. The video screens on the sides of the stage had one message to those expecting to see Oasis perform: they weren’t. An altercation occured and the band would not be taking the stage.Noel Gallager, lead songwriter for the band’s first four records and co-vocalist for the band, released a statement on oasisinet.com: “It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer. Apologies to all the people who bought tickets for the shows in Paris, Konstanz and Milan.”
The altercation that led to this statement of departure from the band was motivated by yet another incident between brothers Noel and Liam Gallager in what has become a case of life-long fraternal dysfunction.
This fraternal dysfunction has been well-documented in the British tabloids during the boom of Britpop in the mid-90s.
Fresh off their first album “Definitely Maybe,” the band played a show in Los Angeles.
High on crystal meth, lead vocalist and snotty rock star Liam Gallager, whose sneer style and pompous stage demeanor has become iconic, struggled through a performance that’s been described as ‘inept.’ He yelled offensive remarks to the crowd and attacked his brother with a tambourine while on stage.
This marked the first of many public fights and altercations between the Mancunan brothers.
Following the show, Noel Gallagher declared that he was quitting the band. He left Los Angeles for San Francisco. In San Francisco, he met up with a friend who took him to Vegas. In Vegas, he met a woman who, along with her husband and Noel’s friend, persuaded Noel to return to Oasis. His feelings around that time are documented in the Oasis song “Talk Tonight.” Noel composed an additional song as well about his feelings after the altercation.
Another altercation occured during the recording of “What’s The Story (Morning Glory)” after Noel informed Liam that he wanted to sing either “Wonderwall” or “Don’t Look Back In Anger.” When Noel heard Liam’s take of “Wonderwall” he felt satisfied with it and then focused on using his vocals for “Don’t Look Back In Anger.”
An angry Liam left the studio for the pub, became drunk, and brought a rowdy group of people to interrupt Noel’s session. The two brothers fought physically, and viciously, which led to rumors that the album would be cancelled. The brothers reconciled three weeks later.
Following the release of “Morning Glory,” and the huge acclaim and reception the album received, MTV booked Oasis for an episode of “Unplugged.” In what has become one of the infamous brotherly altercations, Liam backed out of the show with just five minutes left until Oasis took the stage, saying that he had a sore throat. Later on, while Noel soldiered on with the planned set, cameras found Liam in the balcony, hecking and yelling at his brother while drinking and smoking.
After this incident, Liam refused to re-join the band for the tour. When Liam returned a few weeks later, Noel flew to America but the brothers reconciled quickly and completed the tour.
In 2000, while on tour in Barcelona, Liam made derogatory comments about Noel’s then wife Meg Mathews and even decided to cast doubt on whether Noel was the true father of his daughter. Noel quit the band but later re-joined the band for their Ireland and England dates.
The rest of the new millenium was fairly quiet for the brothers aside from a few disagreements about Liam’s work ethic. Oasis’ popularity dwindled as they released albums that didn’t hit with critics nor fans.
In 2008, the band experienced a resurgence leading up to and following the release of their seventh studio album “Dig Out Your Soul.” However, the brotherly disorder had not disappeared. Liam was quoted brushing off the idea of Noel embarking on a solo career followed by criticisms of the sometimes long periods of downtime between new releases. These criticisms were directed at his brother. Reports also trickled out that the brothers traveled separately.
The final altercation which led to Noel’s departure from the group yet again, and for final time, took place a minute before the band was to take the stage at “The Rock-En-Steine” festival near Paris. Reports say that Liam smashed Noel’s guitar prior to the band taking the stage. A month earlier, amid concerns of an immenent split, Liam denied a split would happen.
Noel released a second statement in which he expressed his gratitude for the fans and described his 18 years in the band as ‘amazing.’
He cited “verbal and violent intimidation towards [himself], [his] family, [his] friends, and comrades as intolerable. And the lack of support and understanding from my management and band mates has left me with no other option than to get me cape and seek pastures new.”
Oasis as a whole has not broken up but Noel’s departure leaves a gaping hole in the band. He has composed unforgettable songs such as “Wonderwall,” “Champage Supernova,” “Supersonic,” “Live Forever,” “The Masterplan,” “Slide Away,” “Acquiesce,” “Whatever,” “Some Might Say, and “Don’t Look Back In Anger.”
He’s one of the great songwriters of modern music, crafting three of the 90s most defintive songs. He is also Oasis’ heart.
Speculation abounds about a solo record but, for now, Noel is going to simply be with his family and root for his favorite football team, Manchester City.
The good news for Noel: they have a pretty good team this year.
Chris Monigle is a fifth-year student majoring in Literature. He can be reached at CM660983@wcupa.edu.