The Gallaghers’ tumultuous relationship spans decades, from tambourine-throwing to social media jabs. Now, whispers of reconciliation spark hope for an Oasis comeback.
One of its most notorious feuds has fascinated the music scene. Liam and Noel Gallagher’s bond has been shaky since Oasis began, and despite their success in music, their relationship fell apart.
A fierce backstage fight at a 2009 show led to the end of their partnership and the split of the “Wonderwall” creators. In the following years, Liam, 51, and Noel, 57, kept up their public quarrel on social media and in interviews while working on solo music projects.
But whispers about the brothers making up have got people talking about Oasis getting back together. Word is, we’ll hear something official on Tuesday, August 27. It looks like the Gallaghers might’ve called a truce so they can bring the band back.
1994: Noel Takes Off Briefly Before First US Tour
The band started their first U.S. tour in Los Angeles three years after Oasis started in Manchester. That night, things got heated when Liam threw a tambourine at Noel’s head. Noel shared with Uncut Magazine: “On the tour’s first night at the Whisky A Go Go, everyone except me was high on crystal meth. Someone got hit with a chair, a fight broke out, the press called us drug addicts, and I grabbed the tour money and my passport and took off to San Francisco.” Noel mentioned the record label talked him into coming back.
Noel Gallagher at Festival International de Benicassim 2015
Photo credit: Batiste Safont, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
1995: “Whibbling Rivalry” Audio Release
“Whibbling Rivalry,” a single released under “Oas*s,” featured a recorded fight between the Gallaghers from a 2014 NME interview. The brothers got into it over an incident in which they were kicked off a ferry. The 14-minute song made the charts, hitting No. 52 on the UK Singles Chart. To this day, it’s the highest-ranking interview release.
1996: Liam’s “MTV Unplugged” No-Show
Liam ditched his brother right before a planned “MTV Unplugged” show. “When they announced, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Oasis,’ we walked out and [Liam] wasn’t there,” Noel told Far Out Magazine about the 1996 recording. “He said, ‘I’m not doing it.’ I thought, ‘Thanks a lot.'” Noel said Liam complained his throat hurt during practice and then quit rehearsing with the band before they filmed the episode.
“About an hour before we were set to perform, he turned up drunk. We asked him to try singing a few songs, but it sounded awful,” Noel recalled. As Noel performed alone, Liam watched from the balcony mocking his brother.
Liam Gallagher en concert lors du festival des vieilles charrues 2018.
Photo credit: Thesupermat, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
2000: Noel Briefly Leaves After Fierce Fight
Noel quit Oasis briefly following a heated fight with his brother during a night out in Barcelona. The Guardian reported that Liam cast doubt on whether Noel was the father of his daughter with ex-wife Meg Mathews, which led to a physical clash between the brothers.
“I’ve never forgiven him because he’s never said sorry,” Noel told the Guardian about the incident in 2005. The paper noted that Liam apologized.
August 2009: Noel Exits for Good — Oasis Breaks Up
Noel left Oasis for good in 2009 after another heated fight with his brother in Paris where they were set to play at the Rock en Seine festival.
“It is with some sadness and great relief … I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I couldn’t continue working with Liam for another day,” Noel wrote in a statement.
In 2021, he told the Independent that he had made up his mind while sitting in a car outside the festival venue.
“And the driver pulled away, and that was it. I didn’t feel relieved because I knew a storm was coming. And there would be a lot of nonsense talked about it,” Noel said.
He said, “One of the biggest bands ever imploded. And I couldn’t return to England because the press had swarmed my house where my wife and kids were. So we had to get her out in the middle of the night secretly, and they joined me somewhere in France. And when we returned to England, all hell broke loose.”
Oasis broke up after Noel left, but Liam and the other members kept going as Beady Eye. They split up in 2014.
February 2010: Liam Ignores Noel at the Brit Awards
At the 2010 Brit Awards, Liam won Best Album of the Past 30 Years. Oasis won for their record “(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?”
As he gave his thank-you speech, Liam mentioned all the original band members but left out his brother.
He later explained why he didn’t include Noel, saying, “I’m fed up with everything revolving around me and Noel. People have talked about him and me for the last few months, so I figured it was fair to bring up the other guys who played on the album and the greatest fans in the world.”
December 2011: Liam Speaks About Possible Reunion
Liam Gallagher stepped up his verbal jabs at his brother Noel in a straight-talking chat with LA Weekly.
“I’d rather eat my poop than work with him again,” Liam said . “He’s a sad little guy, if you know what I mean. But if the fans want it, I’d think about it.”
May 2016: Liam Starts Calling Noel “Potato”
From 2016 on, Liam began to call his brother a “potato” on social media. He would post pictures of Noel with the word “potato.”
When asked about this weird nickname in an interview, Liam just said, “Because he looks like one.”
June 2017: Liam Slams Noel for Skipping Manchester Benefit
Liam took part in the 2017 “One Love Manchester” charity show after the awful terrorist attack at Ariana Grande’s concert. Noel didn’t show up.
Liam wrote on Twitter the next day, “Manchester, I want to apologize for my brother’s absence last night. Very disappointing. Stay beautiful, stay safe. LG x.”
In another tweet, Liam lashed out, “Noel’s out of the country. Weren’t we all? Get on a plane and play your songs for the kids, you sad individual.”
“Forget the reunion, mate. It’s not about Oasis, it’s about people helping others. He’s once again shown his true colors,” Liam added.
July 2018: Liam Makes a Public Plea to Reunite Oasis
For years, Liam had criticized Noel. Then, out of the blue, he publicly appealed to his brother to get the band back together.
“I forgive you. Now let’s bring back the BIG O and stop messing around. Drinks are on me,” Liam wrote on social media in July 2018.
When Noel didn’t answer, Liam added, “I’ll take that as a NO then.”
May 2021: Noel Talks About Reunion Rumors
On the Jonathan Ross Show, Noel finally spoke about Liam’s earlier statement about a £100M offer to reunite.
“The music industry doesn’t have £100M for all of us,” Noel said. “If someone offers me £100M right now, I’ll take it, but it’s ridiculous.” He added, “The funny thing is, I think Liam believes it’s real, which makes it hilarious.”
October 2022: Liam Claims Noel ‘Blocked’ Song at Tribute Concert
At a show honoring Taylor Hawkins after his death, Liam said his brother had stopped him from playing an Oasis song at Wembley Stadium in London.
Liam complained, “No Oasis songs since the grumpy runt banned them. He even blocked the Oasis tune I performed for Taylor Hawkins’ tribute. He’s a mean little man.”
He followed up in another tweet, “You can stop us from playing the songs, but you can’t wipe out our recollections. Shame on you, Noel Gallagher.”
Feb. 2024: Liam takes another dig at Noel
When Oasis received a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, Liam saw it as an opportunity to poke fun at Noel once more.
Liam stated he wouldn’t attend the Cleveland event if Oasis got in saying he’d be “washing my hair and getting a pedicure and manicure.” He added about Noel, “This little guy loves hanging with celebs so he’d go.”
Aug. 2024: Oasis hints at a comeback
Both Gallagher brothers hinted on social media that Oasis might reunite.
The band’s account teased a big announcement with a brief video showing Tuesday’s date (Aug. 27) and 8 a.m.
The Sunday Times reported that the siblings plan to perform several concerts in the summer of 2025 at venues such as Wembley Stadium and Heaton Park in Manchester.
Liam also suggested he’d patched things up with his brother during his show at the Reading Festival in England on August 25. He devoted “Half the World Away” to Noel.
Source:
Eric Todisco (August 26, 2024). Liam and Noel Gallagher’s feud timeline: From Oasis’ breakup to rumored reunion. New York Post. https://nypost.com/entertainment/oasis-liam-and-noel-gallaghers-feud-timeline/. Accessed August 26, 2024
Header image:
Liam Gallagher and John Squire performing live at Fabrique in Milan, Italy on 6th April, 2024
Photo credit: Freddyballo, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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