Oasis (Rock Group)

The Mercer County Library System has an extensive collection of books and recordings covering all your favorite types of music. As a lifelong fan of rock music, I've had many different “favorite” groups. But since the early 1990's, one group has been on the top of my favorites list - the British band Oasis. Oasis was based in Manchester, and offered an alternative to the “grunge” sound popular in the United States. Other popular “Madchester” groups at that time included The Charlatans UK, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, James, and 808 State. Most are long forgotten, while Oasis still has a following to this day.

The band was formed in 1991. Although some members of the band came and went, the core of the band were two brothers, Liam and Noel Gallagher. The older brother, Noel, did most of the songwriting, played lead guitar, and did some of the vocals. Liam did most of the vocals, and was essentially the frontman and “face” of the band. Oasis exploded on the music scene in 1994. As of 2009, they had sold over 70 million records worldwide. They were among the most successful acts on the UK singles chart and albums chart, with eight UK number one singles and eight number one albums. The band also achieved three platinum albums in the United States. They won seventeen NME awards, nine Q awards, four MTV Europe Awards, and six Brit Awards, including one in 2007 for outstanding contribution to music and for the “Best Album of the Last 30 Years” (for (What's The Story) Morning Glory?). They were also nominated for two Grammy awards. Oasis released 7 studio albums and two live recordings. Many consider their first two albums to be arguably the best rock and roll recordings of all time. Collectors have also snapped up rarer compact discs the band occasionally released, which contained cover versions of others' songs as well as songs that didn't quite make the cut into their own final studio recordings.

The Gallaghers grew up idolizing The Beatles, and it was their dream to one day be as famous and popular. The song “Wonderwall” derived its title from a George Harrison solo album which was called Wonderwall Music. When Noel was writing the song “Don't Look Back in Anger,” he tried to write something he thought The Beatles might have done. The melody is very similar to the John Lennon song called “Imagine.” The band usually closed their live performances with a cover of The Beatles song called “I am The Walrus.” Of course, they had many other musical influences. For example, the Oasis song “Live Forever” was inspired by a Rolling Stones song called “Shine a Little Light” which appeared on their Exile on Main Street album. Oasis influenced other performers as well. Rod Stewart was a fan and covered their song “Cigarettes & Alcohol” in 1998.

Unfortunately, the Gallagher brothers were notorious for not getting along. They had a sibling rivalry and constant disagreements, which ultimately led to the band's demise in 2008. However, their record company continues to release new Oasis albums. In November 2021 they released a two-CD live recording from a Knebworth concert that drew 500,000 fans over two days in 1996. Even though the group no longer exists, their music is still popular. In 2021 alone, their albums sold 480,000 copies. Personally, I have seen Oasis perform live in concert many times. In March 1996, I saw them perform at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia in support of their second album (What's The Story) Morning Glory?

In addition, both Noel and Liam have continued their musical careers and are still recording new songs. Noel has released three full albums and a few vinyl-only EPs with his new band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, and he has more in the works. Liam started out recording two albums under the band name Beady Eye, but he has now released three solo albums under his own name, including one called C'mon You Know, released in May 2022. Both brothers continue to tour the world as solo artists.

Most Oasis albums, and some of the Gallaghers' solo albums, are part of the Mercer County Library's CD collection for you to enjoy! Most are also available using our hoopla database. Also in the MCL collection, is a DVD documentary called Oasis: Supersonic (ISBN: 9789461874689 9461874685), which contains extensive biographical and behind-the-scenes material. The MCL has several books containing interesting information, photos and interviews with Oasis members: Britpop!: Cool Britannia and the Spectacular Demise Of English Rock by John Harris (ISBN: 030681367X) which discusses Oasis in the context of the 1990s music scene; Some Might Say: The Definitive Story of Oasis: The Official Book Of The Oasis Podcast by Richard Bowes (ISBN: 9781916258259); and Getting High: The Adventures of Oasis by Paolo Hewitt (ISBN: 9781911413707). For more recent information, Oasis has a website: https://www.oasisinet.com/#!/home.

- Jon Parker, Hickory Corner Branch, MCL