Oasis Biography, CDs, I'm Outta Time Video

Oasis

Oasis are one of the most important bands to come out of British rock music. As well-known for the arguments between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher as their music, Oasis were, along with Blur and Pulp, one of the three most popular groups of the Britpop era of the mid-1990s.

Rain to Oasis

The origins of Oasis can be traced back to the Manchester group Rain. The band consisted of Liam Gallagher on vocals, Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan on bass, Tony McCarroll on drums, and Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs on guitar. Liam's brother Noel Gallagher joined as the band's lead guitarist and songwriter in 1992, as Rain became Oasis. Creation Records boss Alan McGee saw Oasis play in Glasgow in 1993 and signed them a few days later.

Stars of Britpop

Competition between Oasis and Blur was something akin to The Beatles (ironically a big influence on Oasis) and The Rolling Stones, but without the friendliness of those 1960s rivals. The Britpop rivalry reached its height in the summer of 1995, when Blur and Oasis released UK singles at the same time, with Blur's Country House beating Roll with It by Oasis to the top spot. The following year, Oasis played to a quarter of a million people at Knebworth to re-stake their claim as the kings of Britpop.

Outstanding First Two Albums

Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) were hugely successfully, both critically and commercially. The former was the fastest-selling debut album in UK music history at the time, and the latter sold millions worldwide.

Hit Singles

The band's first UK number one single was Some Might Say in 1995. They achieved seven more UK number ones, including Don't Look Back in Anger (1996), Go Let It Out (2000), The Hindu Times (2002), and their final UK number one, The Importance of Being Idle (2005). But, arguably their two most famous songs are their uplifting anthems, Wonderwall and Live Forever.

Disintegration

'Bonehead' and 'Guigsy' left Oasis in 1999 to be replaced by Gem Archer and Andy Bell. Drummer Alan White left in 2004, and several drummers followed, including Zak Starkey, son of former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Chris Sharrock, once of The Icicle Works, was another drummer for the band. Noel Gallagher left Oasis in August 2009 to concentrate on a solo career, and Liam formed Beady Eye from the remaining members of Oasis. In 2024, Oasis reformed to play a 2025 world tour.