Oasis Reunited: A Timeline of Britpop's Tumultuous Tale
The Gallagher brothers' iconic Britpop band Oasis has announced a reunion tour, 15 years after their infamous feud forced the group to disband. Here's a look back at Oasis's rise to fame, turbulent years, and eventual split:
1967: Noel Gallagher, Oasis's songwriter and guitarist, is born in Manchester.
1972: Younger brother Liam Gallagher, Oasis's frontman, is born in Manchester.
1991: Bassist Paul McGuigan, guitarist Paul Arthurs, and drummer Tony McCarroll form the band Rain. Liam Gallagher joins as vocalist and suggests a name change to Oasis. With the addition of Liam's eldest brother Noel, the band takes a new direction.
1994: Oasis releases its debut album, "Definitely Maybe," which reaches No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. Critics hailed the band as rough-edged retropopsters with a Beatlesque edge.
1995: Oasis's sophomore album, "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?", becomes a monumental success, securing its place as one of the UK's best-selling albums of all time. The band also parts ways with its original drummer, Tony McCarroll, who subsequently sued and was awarded £550,000.
1996: Oasis dominates the Brit Awards, winning Best Group, Best Album, and Best Video for "Wonderwall." Noel Gallagher dismissed the industry-voted awards, stating that the only accolade he valued was the fan-voted award. The band's first US tour suffers a rocky start when Liam Gallagher refuses to board the plane to Chicago. He rejoins the band after a few days, citing a personal issue. Despite denying any internal strife, the band returns home prematurely from the tour, blaming "internal differences" and Noel Gallagher for the cancellation.
1997: Oasis releases its third album, "Be Here Now." Stolen tapes of early recordings add to the band's growing troubles. Noel criticizes festivals, Courtney Love, and several other female artists, including Alanis Morissette, Sinead O'Connor, and Björk.
1998: The band's Australian tour begins disastrously with a Cathay Pacific flight incident. Liam Gallagher is accused of offensive behaviour and banned from the airline. Liam also faces assault charges after headbutting a tourist in Brisbane. The band experiences further turmoil with onstage bickering and a cancellation in Brisbane. Later that year, Liam is arrested after an alleged assault on a photographer.
1999: Two founding members, McGuigan and Arthurs, leave the band within weeks of each other, citing personal reasons.
2000: Oasis releases "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants," its fourth album. Noel Gallagher suggests the band has previously been on the verge of splitting, but maintains that Oasis has moved on from its hedonistic phase. Further tension within the band leads to Noel Gallagher's temporary departure as guitarist. He rejoins the band for its final UK dates, citing his younger brother's behaviour as the reason for his absence. Oasis cuts short sets at festivals in Switzerland and Portugal after being pelted with objects on stage.
2002: Oasis releases "Heathen Chemistry," its fifth album. The band clashes with the British army over the unauthorized use of two songs in a recruitment video. Noel Gallagher and two band members are injured in a car crash in Indianapolis. A brawl in Munich leads to Liam Gallagher's broken teeth and the cancellation of the remaining German dates.
2004: Oasis hires Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr's son, as its drummer after Alan White quits.
2005: Oasis releases its sixth album, "Don't Believe the Truth." "Wonderwall" is voted the best British song of all time by Virgin Radio listeners.
2008: Noel Gallagher is attacked during the band's performance at the Virgin Festival in Toronto. Oasis releases "Dig Out Your Soul," its final album before disbanding.
2009: Oasis's mainland China debut is blocked due to Noel Gallagher's participation in a 1997 concert for an independent Tibet. The band disbands after Noel Gallagher quits just before a festival performance, citing "verbal and violent intimidation."
2011: Liam Gallagher sues Noel for claiming that his hangover led to the cancellation of a 2009 festival performance. The lawsuit is later dropped.
2012: Liam Gallagher performs "Wonderwall" without Noel at the London Olympics' closing ceremony.
2013: Noel Gallagher reportedly turns down a £20 million offer to reunite with Liam for an Oasis anniversary tour.
2017: Liam Gallagher performs at a benefit concert for the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, sparking speculation of a reunion. He criticises Noel Gallagher's absence, suggesting that he had shown his "true colors." Noel Gallagher approves the use of Oasis's music during the concert and confirms his intention to donate royalties from "Don't Look Back in Anger" to the British Red Cross' One Love Manchester fund.
2019: Liam Gallagher expresses his desire to reunite with Noel but accuses him of pursuing solo ventures to maximize his earnings and control.
2024: Oasis announces a 14-date tour of the UK and Ireland for the summer of 2025. The tour will span several major stadiums and tickets go on sale on Saturday.
The reunion tour signifies a new chapter for Oasis, bringing the iconic band back together after a long and tumultuous journey. Fans will eagerly await the return of Britpop's legendary act.
