For all of you who don’t follow the British music scene too closely it might come as a surprise that Oasis has split up. If you would have asked 5 American music buffs about the split 3 would have answered ” Didn’t they break up a long time ago?” No my dears, Oasis has been performing to sell out audiences world wide for almost 16 years.
The fans that waited long hours at Rock En Seine festival in Paris on Friday did not expect to be part of Oasis history as a back stage argument between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher led to an all out physical brawl between the two. Noel went as far as to smash one of Liam’s guitars to pieces. Minutes later Oasis’ scheduled headlining appearance was cancelled, but worse was to follow hours later.
Noel Gallagher had had enough. He explained on the official Oasis website: “The details are not important and of too great a number to list.
“But I feel you have the right to know that the level of verbal and violent intimidation towards me, my family, friends and comrades has become intolerable.
“And the lack of support and understanding from my management and band mates has left me with no other option than to get me cape and seek pastures new……..”
Fans were left reeling after Noel announced he could not work with his brother Liam a day longer.
Reaction from around the globe has started to come in from fans and foes , colleagues, family and friends. Here are a few we collected for you:
Alan McGee (originally signed the band)
“This is the most serious it’s ever been… Noel’s a proud person, he won’t go back on it. And he knows he could make a successful solo album….”
He said: “People don’t do things for money any more. I know how much money Oasis were making from their tour – you could buy two very good football strikers with that amount.
“But it’s very hard for someone to do what they really don’t want to do.”
Both brothers had the potential for successful solo careers, he added.
“(Noel’s) a masterclass craftsman and could go and become Neil Young for a generation. Liam too could become the John Lennon of his generation,” he said.
But for all their fighting, deep down the pair still love each other, he added.
“I had a coffee with Liam a few weeks ago and I said ‘but you love Noel,’ and he said ‘yeah, I know’. They probably will work together again eventually. When you love someone you give them a second chance,” he said.
Johnny Hopkins (the band’s spokesman from 1993 to 2000)
“It’s always been a volatile band. There have been regular incidents where one or other of them has walked offstage or walked out before a tour, but maybe it has gone a step too far this time.
“They’d probably benefit from time apart to develop their own things. If this is a real split rather than a temporary blip, they’re bound to come back together at some point.”
Fan Lorraine Hoodless, (from Wimbledon, south London), who described herself as a “disillusioned Oasis fan”, said: “It’s not come as a big shock. Maybe Noel would do better on his own anyway as he’s the one behind the music”
Friendly Fires (Electro Punk Rockers)
I’m kind of glad they’re split up to be honest,” said front man Ed MacFarlane when asked about Oasis.
“They had two really great albums and it’s been pretty dodgy ever since then.”
Drummer Jack Savidge added: “They’ve been treading water for about the best part of a decade. So yeah, sod them!”
Peggy Gallagher ( Mother of Liam and Noel)
Peggy yesterday revealed another side to Liam, who’s known for his “hardman” image.
“They do love each other, but they’ve always been very different.
“The funny thing is, they didn’t fight as children. They didn’t fight until they started the band.
“They are two very different characters and I think when you’re with somebody 24/7 and you’ve got two different egos they are bound to clash at times”
Bloc Party (Front man Kele Okereke )
“How are we dealing with the news?” he said before ‘Mercury’, just past the set’s halfway mark. “One of the great British institutions is no more. The final series of ‘Big Brother’. Did you think I meant Oasis? Just kidding.”
Backstage at Rock En Seine Kele , who’s not a big fan of the band, called the Gallaghers: “inbred twins”
Glasvegas , The Courteneers and Blackout and Matt from Skint spoke to ITN at Reading festival about the sad news:
Noel’s probably just tired fo being the elder borther who has to put up with it for a quiet life. On top of which, he’s got shitloads of songs AND has been thinking ourside of oasis’ box for quite a number of years. As mcgee and their mum has put it, theyll do something in the future, but in the interim, noel SHOULD hopefulyl put out a cracking solo album..it might even be a double!