Four line-ups of Oasis performing in 2002, 2005, 2009 and 2025
Oasis are an English rock band founded in Manchester in 1991. The band originally included Liam Gallagher (lead vocals), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (guitar), Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan (bass guitar) and Tony McCarroll (drums), who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar, vocals, main songwriter). The band, who reunited in 2024, currently consists of Liam and Noel Gallagher, Arthurs, guitarist Gem Archer and bassist Andy Bell (both of whom first joined in 1999).
In 1991, bassist Paul McGuigan, guitarist Paul Arthurs, drummer Tony McCarroll, and singer Chris Hutton formed a band called The Rain. Arthurs soon replaced Hutton with Liam Gallagher who suggested the band change their name to Oasis.[1] The band's first gig was attended by Liam's brother Noel, a former roadie with Inspiral Carpets,[2] who asked to join the band as lead guitarist and main songwriter.
The band released their debut album, Definitely Maybe, in 1994, which was the only album to feature McCarroll who was ousted from the band in 1995 and replaced by Alan "Whitey" White.[3] White made his debut with Oasis on a Top of the Pops performance of "Some Might Say".[4] The band released their second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, in 1995. Shortly before the albums release in September 1995, McGuigan left the band due to nervous exhaustion, his replacement was Scott McLeod who stayed with the band until October when he quit in the middle of a US tour,[5] causing the band to cancel the remainder of the leg. McGuigan returned for the next leg of European shows.[5] McLeod later called Noel to say he regretted his decision.[6]
In 1997, the band were joined by Mike Rowe as touring keyboardist. In 1999, both Arthurs and McGuigan left the band to spend more time with their families.[7][8] Noel soon approached Gem Archer (of Heavy Stereo) to replace Arthurs,[9] and former Ride guitarist Andy Bell to replace McGuigan, despite having never played bass before.[10] In May 2000, Noel Gallagher quit the band mid tour.[11] To replace him the band were joined by Mother Earth guitarist Matt Deighton on rhythm guitar while Archer took over lead guitar duties.[12] At the end of the tour Noel returned and Deighton left.[13]
For the band's next tour, Zeb Jameson replaced Rowe as touring keyboardist,[14] although Rowe subsequently returned in 2001. Also in 2001, Alan White's brother Steve briefly replaced him on drums.[15] In 2002, former Kula Shaker organist Jay Darlington joined as new touring keyboardist.[16] In 2004, Alan White was asked to leave the band,[17] his replacement was Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr and drummer with The Who) as a session/touring member.[18]
This line-up stayed constant until 2008, when Starkey departed the band.[19] His replacement was Chris Sharrock (the La's, the Icicle Works and the Lightning Seeds)[20] who toured with the band until 2009, when they split due to tensions between the Gallagher brothers.[21][22] Liam subsequently formed Beady Eye with Archer, Bell and Sharrock,[23] while Noel formed Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds with former keyboardist Mike Rowe, and was later joined by Sharrock and Archer in 2016, following the break up of Beady Eye.[24] In his solo career, Liam regularly collaborated with Arthurs,[25] who also played with Beady Eye when Archer injured himself.[26]
In August 2024, the band announced they were reforming for a tour in 2025.[27] After months of speculation on who else would be returning to the band,[28][29][30][31][32][33] the line-up was confirmed to be Arthurs, Archer and Bell, alongside drummer Joey Waronker, keyboardist Christian Madden (both of whom had toured with Liam),[34][35][36] trombonist Alastair White, trumpeter Joe Auckland and saxophonist Steve Hamilton (all of whom had toured with Noel).[37] High Flying Birds backing vocalist Jessica Greenfield was also announced as part of the touring line-up but didn't end up touring.[38]
↑ Hall, Sarah (2000-05-24). "Oasis star quits world tour". The Guardian. ISSN0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-27. Gallagher is refusing to do the remaining 27 gigs of the world tour, which began in February, causing four, including a gig in Paris last night, to be cancelled while a replacement guitarist is given time to rehearse. He will rejoin the band for the final eight sell-out dates in Britain in July and August, which include two shows at Wembley and the Reading and Leeds festivals.
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