• Current line-up

  Liam Gallagher - Vocals

  Noel Gallagher - Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals

  Alan White - Drums

• Former members

  Chris Hutton - Vocals

  Founder member of The Rain in 1990. This was the band which was the precursor to Oasis, and was formed by Hutton, Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan. These three were later joined by Tony McCarroll on drums.

  Hutton has now co-written a book about his experiences. In it he rues what might have been, and is scathing of the way he was treated by Arthurs and McGuigan in particular. For more details see Books

  An article about Hutton's role in the band based on the book and including pictures of the early Rain appeared in Select in December 1998

  Tony McCarroll - Drums

  Having survived the loss of Hutton, a change of name for the band, and the recruitment of Liam and Noel, McCarroll lasted only until April 1995 before ejection. Played drums on the "Definitely Maybe" album and the "Some Might Say" single.

  Apparently unwanted and unloved for some time before, it has been alleged that Noel was scathing of his technical ability, and that Liam simply disliked him. He started legal proceedings for a share of the band's future record sale royalties, since when a partial payment on account of past royalties due has been made.

  The case was set for a full High Court hearing in March 1999, but in the days leading up to the hearing the case was settled on terms which seemed to be disadvantageous financially to McCarroll. Articles about the case appeared in The Times and The Guardian

  Scott McLeod - Bass Guitar

  The band were due to play four dates in the UK to be followed by a US tour in October 1995. Although never strictly a member, Oasis set off with him as stand-in for McGuigan whilst the latter took an enforced sojourn due to "nervous exhaustion".

  McLeod, formerly of the Ya-Ya's but by then with Saint Jack, apparently finds the pressures of stardom too much, and after completing the UK dates and just five of the US dates quit the tour abruptly and flew home. The rest of the tour wass cancelled, though a dejected band played a prestigious Letterman television show in New York as a four-piece with Bonehead on bass.

  Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs - Rhythm Guitar

  Bonehead was a founder member of Oasis and its predecessor, The Rain alongside Chris Hutton, Paul McGuigan and former-drummer Tony McCarroll.

  Following the arrival of Noel into the band, Bonehead became van driver, tour manager and peace broker between the occasionally-warring Gallagher brothers. As the band gathered fame, he became renowned for his drinking with Liam, and his outrageous and daredevil stunts in hotels around the world.

  Already worldly-wise and with a solid building trade background, Bonehead was always seen as the strength and backbone of the Oasis myth.

  Nine years after the whole story began, the only supporter of Manchester United in the band decided that he wanted to spend more time with his family and informed the rest of the band in March 1999 that his days were numbered. Finishing his guitar parts for the forthcoming album he returned home, and in August 1999 announced his affirming decision to pursue a new career path.

  At the time of his departure articles appeared in New Musical Express, Melody Maker and Select.

  Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan - Bass Guitar

  Prior to becoming a founder member of Oasis and its predecessor, The Rain, Guigsy dreamed of playing football for his beloved Manchester City. A knee injury ensured his dream remained just that, but after working for British Telecom for several years he eventually rode his luck and staying in the background became an important part of the Oasis phenomenon.

  His importance was emphasised in September 1995, when he was forced to retire from their American tour suffering from nervous exhaustion. After a short hiatus whilst Scott McLeod joined and quit, Guigsy was persuaded to return in double-quick time for the historic Earl's Court gigs in November. At the time, Noel famously said: "Paul is Oasis. If he leaves, the band's finished. It's that simple."

  His love of football saw him collaborate with Paolo Hewitt in the writing of a book on cult football legand Robin Friday.

  However, he too fell prey to a desire to spend more time with his family, and having seen his best mate Bonehead leave just weeks earlier dediced the time was ripe to make a dignified exit. He made his announcement in early September 1999.

  At the time of his departure articles appeared in Melody Maker and New Musical Express.

  Following the departure of Guigsy and Bonehead in quick succession there was a large amount of speculation about the future of Oasis. An article about this can be found at The Guardian.

• Contents

© 1998 Andrew Turner

aturner@interalpha.co.uk

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page