Don’t look back in anger -Look back in awe: The legacy of Oasis
- Paulina Wróblewska
- Jan 25
- 3 min read
Oasis, a British rock band, was created in 1991 in Manchester, from the ashes of the previous band, The Rain, giving rise to Britpop. The group initially consisted of the lead vocalist Liam Gallagher, guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, bassist Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan, and drummer Tony McCarrol. A couple months later Liam asked his older brother Noel to join as a fifth member; he later became the leader and chief songwriter of the band.
During one of their shows in Glasglow, 1993, Alan McGee, a cofounder of Creation Records, was in attendance. He was impressed with their performance,- so he offered them a contract. The next year Oasis released their album “Definitely Maybe” which brought them immense commercial success. It became one of the fastest-selling records in the United Kingdom. In 1995, the band also won the best newcomer award at the Brit Awards. That same year Oasis released another album titled “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”. Songs “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Wonderwall” became their most famous songs. In 1996 “Wonderwall” reached top 10 in United States, while “Morning Glory” earned the band the best British group award in the United Kingdom. The album topped the charts in several countries including Sweden, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
By that time the brothers’ relationship, already full of tension, took another public turn. Oasis was supposed to perform on MTV Unplugged. Liam pulled out of the performance at the last minute due to a sore throat. Noel was left to take the stage alone. A couple days later Liam refused to join Oasis on their tour in the United States, which led to the band cancelling several shows and further straining the brothers’ relationship.
The band’s third album “Be Here Now and Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” placed number two on the Billboard 200 and remained there for 26 weeks, however it wasn’t the only thing drawing headlines. The Gallagher brothers were known for their continuous quarreling and substance abuse. In 1999 two of the band’s core members, guitarist and bassist, left the group. In 2004 the band’s drummer was replaced by guest drummer Zak Starkey, son of former The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and then Chris Sharrock.
By the year 2000, Gallaghers’ relationship was very fragile and reached its breaking point. While they were out drinking in Barcelona, Liam questioned the legitimacy of Noel’s daughter with ex-wife Meg Mathews. The comment resulted in a heated argument and eventually a physical altercation.
The end of Oasis came in 2009 during a Rock en Seine festival in Paris. The brothers began arguing backstage over Liam’s clothing line, Pretty Green. By this time their relationship was already strained, so the argument quickly erupted. Noel said that Liam barged into the dressing room and smashed one of Noel's guitars. That same day Noel announced: “It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight”. Any remaining tours were immediately cancelled, and any hopes for reconciliation were shattered. Liam, in response to their argument in Paris, later went on to say: “I wasn’t going to let him walk all over me”. It was the final straw in the ongoing conflict, and the brothers went their separate ways, each pursuing a solo career. Liam formed the band Beaded Eye with former Oasis members, excluding Noel, and Noel formed his own band called Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
After the incident in Paris 2009, every hope of Oasis reunion and the brothers’ reconciliation seemed impossible and dead. Until now. In August 2024 the band officially reunited, launching their “Oasis Live ‘25 Tour” in July of 2025, marking their first show in 16 years. The lineup included brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, along with Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, Gem Archer, and Andy Bell. The tour was a massive success. The tickets sold out immediately and the stadiums were full of fans who couldn’t wait for the band’s reunion.
To this day, Oasis is a massively successful band appreciated by multiple generations with fans all around the world. Even after the brothers’ public arguments, the band remained relevant, and their songs “Wonderwall”, “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Champagne Supernova” remain one of the biggest hits in the world.
Page design: Antonina Szklarzewska
Bibliography
“Oasis.” Britannica, 2 Jan. 2026. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Lynch, Jessica. “Oasis: A Timeline of Liam and Noel Gallagher’s Feud.” Rolling Stone Australia, 27 Aug. 2024, au.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/oasis-liam-noel-gallaghers-fued-timeline-66145/. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
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