Oasis
"I was looking for some action but all I found was cigarettes and alcohol"
Britpoppers who came out of Manchester and captured the vibe of the Beatles and Stones for a new generation
Who-How-When: A band called The Rain recruited Liam Gallagher (vocals) in Manchester in 1991. His elder brother, Noel (guitar) offered to join the band providing he became the leader and main songwriter.
Breakthrough: In 1993 the band talked their way into a Glasgow venue and opened the show. Creation Records' Alan McGee was in the crowd and signed them four days later. The following year, Definitely Maybe became the fastest-selling debut album in UK history.
Highest High: By the mid-90s everything they touched turned to publicity. There was a chart war against Blur, Liam spent as much time as possible in the headlines, they played massive shows and released (What's the Story) Morning Glory? to much acclaim.
Lowest Low: In 1999, while the band struggled to find inspiration for whate would become Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, founding members Bonehead and Paul McGuigan left the band. The Gallaghers struggled on.
That Was Then... After a downturn of several years, including three abandoned albums, Oasis returned to popularity with Don't Believe the Truth in 2005 and Dig Out Your Soul in 2008. Noel predicts some time off then there'll be another album.
Encore: Liam likes a fight, he says. Even with the Beatles or the Stones, whom he says he adores. "Anyone who wants a rumble will get it - because the man is mad for it and that's the end of it." Except Robbie Williams, who claimed him on live TV, and never got a reply.
