All the Ups and Downs of Oasis's Turbulent Career, from Topping the Charts and Breaking Up to a Reunion Tour

The band achieved superstardom in the '90s, but brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher's famous rivalry was always a ticking time bomb

<p> Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty</p> Oasis in 1996

Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty

Oasis in 1996

After 15 years and much recent speculation, Oasis is hitting the road once again.

This week, brothers and founding members Liam and Noel Gallagher announced that they will be reuniting for a 2025 tour marking the both this year's 30th anniversary of Oasis's debut album, Definitely Maybe, and next year's 30th anniversary of their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?.

Of course, the road to this highly anticipated reunion has been rocky.

After achieving international superstardom in the '90s, the Gallagher brothers' much publicized rivalry resulted in a turbulent decade-and-a-half in the spotlight, leading to the band's 2009 breakup.

Here, take a look back at all the ups and downs — the fights and canceled gigs, the hit songs and bad blood — that got Oasis to this point.

1991: Oasis Forms in Manchester

<p>Ian Dickson/Redferns</p> Oasis performing live in the '90s

Ian Dickson/Redferns

Oasis performing live in the '90s

Shortly after Liam Gallagher joined Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll's Manchester-based band Rain and renamed in Oasis in 1991, brother Noel Gallagher joined up as well, taking complete creative control of the project. Noel went on to define the band's sound, singlehandedly writing nearly every song on Oasis's first four albums, including their biggest hits.

1994: Oasis Releases 'Definitely Maybe'

<p>James Fry/Getty </p> Oasis ahead of the release of their debut album in 1993

James Fry/Getty

Oasis ahead of the release of their debut album in 1993

Released in August 1994, Oasis's first album Definitely Maybe was an immediate critical and commercial success. Powered by lead singles "Supersonic," "Shakermaker" and "Live Forever," the album reached No. 1 on the U.K. charts and was certified platinum in the U.S.

1994: Sibling Rivalry

<p>Mick Hutson/Redferns</p> Liam Gallagher performing in 1994

Mick Hutson/Redferns

Liam Gallagher performing in 1994

Almost from the start, however, frontman Liam and lead guitarist and songwriter Noel's tempestuous relationship caused problems within the band.

As The Guardiannoted in 2009, Noel even briefly quit Oasis following a disastrous September 1994 gig in L.A. that saw Liam hitting his brother with a tambourine.

1995: Oasis Releases '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?'

<p>Independent News and Media/Getty </p> Oasis in 1995

Independent News and Media/Getty

Oasis in 1995

October 1995 saw the release of the band's sophomore album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. The album spawned mega-hits "Champagne Supernova" and "Wonderwall," both of which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart in the U.S. and cemented Oasis as one of the biggest and most influential bands of the '90s Brit Pop moment.

1996: Tensions Spill Over on MTV

<p>Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic(2)</p> Liam and Noel Gallagher at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic(2)

Liam and Noel Gallagher at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards

At the very height of Oasis's success, Liam dropped out of an Aug. 23, 1996, taping of MTV's Unplugged, citing a sore throat and leaving Noel to take on singing duties. While he didn't perform, Liam did show up to the taping, drinking, smoking and heckling his brother from a balcony at London's Royal Festival Hall.

1999: Paul Arthurs and Paul McGuigan Depart

<p>Lex van Rossen/MAI/Redferns</p> Liam Gallagher performing with Oasis circa 2000

Lex van Rossen/MAI/Redferns

Liam Gallagher performing with Oasis circa 2000

The Gallagher brothers were said to have fought constantly during the recording sessions for 1997's Be Here Now, and the album was received less favorably by critics.

While recording their fourth album in 1999, founding members Paul Arthurs and Paul McGuigan quit the band. Standing on the Shoulder of Giants was released in February 2000 to mixed reviews and disappointing sales in the U.S. The band’s world tour in support of the album was also tumultuous, with Noel once again abandoning Oasis in May 2000, only to rejoin the group for shows in the U.K. and Ireland later that summer.

2002: Liam Gallagher and Alan White Arrested in Germany

<p>Tim Ockenden - PA Images/PA Images via Getty</p> Liam Gallagher in 2002

Tim Ockenden - PA Images/PA Images via Getty

Liam Gallagher in 2002

Oasis released their fifth studio album, Heathen Chemistry, in July 2002 and embarked on another world tour. However, during a December 2002 stop in Munich, Liam and drummer Alan White were involved in a fight in a nightclub and subsequently arrested, forcing the band to cancel their four remaining shows in Germany.

2009: Noel Officially Quits Oasis

<p>Mark Milan/FilmMagic</p> Noel Gallagher in August 2009

Mark Milan/FilmMagic

Noel Gallagher in August 2009

Following the departure of drummer Alan White, Oasis released two more albums: 2005's well regarded Don't Believe the Truth and 2008's Dig Out Your Soul. Their tour in support of Dig Out Your Soul ended abruptly when the band canceled an Aug. 28, 2009, performance at the Rock en Seine festival near Paris at the last minute, reportedly following a fight between the Gallagher brothers backstage.

Hours later, Noel released a statement via the band's official website stating that "with some sadness and great relief...I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.”

2009: Liam and the Remaining Band Members Soldier On

<p>Brian Rasic/Getty</p> Liam Gallagher performing with Beady Eye in 2011

Brian Rasic/Getty

Liam Gallagher performing with Beady Eye in 2011

Following Noel's exit, Liam and the remaining members of Oasis — though none of its founding members — continued to tour and record as Beady Eye. The band broke up in 2014, and Liam has since gone on to release three solo albums since 2017.

2010: Liam Snubs Noel at the Brit Awards

<p>Gareth Cattermole/Getty </p> Liam Gallagher at the 2010 Brit Awards

Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Liam Gallagher at the 2010 Brit Awards

At the 2010 Brit Awards, (What's the Story) Morning Glory? was named the Best British Album of the Last 30 Years. Liam accepted the award solo, thanking founding Oasis members Paul Arthurs and Paul McGuigan and long-time drummer Alan White — but omitting Noel — before tossing both the mic and the trophy to the crowd.

2010: Noel Forms a New Band

<p>Brian Rasic/Getty </p> Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds performing live in 2011

Brian Rasic/Getty

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds performing live in 2011

That same year, Noel formed a new band, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. The band released its first album in 2011, followed by three more between 2015 and 2023.

2011: Liam Sues Noel for Libel

<p>Jo Hale/Getty Images; Barbara Zanon/Getty</p> Liam and Noel Gallagher in 2011

Jo Hale/Getty Images; Barbara Zanon/Getty

Liam and Noel Gallagher in 2011

Parting ways professionally didn't ease the Gallaghers' enmity right away. In 2011, Liam sued his brother for libel, after Noel stated at a press conference that same year that an August 2009 Oasis show had to be canceled because Liam was hungover. Liam claimed that the gig was canceled because he had laryngitis, which was the official explanation at the time.

"All I want is an apology," Liam said in a 2011 statement. Noel quickly issued one and the suit was dropped.

2023: Noel Refuses to Tour with Liam

<p>Mark Holloway/Redferns</p> Noel Gallagher in 2024

Mark Holloway/Redferns

Noel Gallagher in 2024

In anticipation of the 30th anniversary of Oasis's debut album, in October 2023 Liam announced a slate of 2024 solo shows at which he would perform Definitely Maybe in its entirety.

Ahead of the summer tour, the singer revealed in February that he had hoped his brother would join him. "My people called Noel’s management team," Liam told MOJO. "We put an offer on the table for an Oasis thing — because we got offered it — and he said no."

"It was a big tour, a lot of money. He turned it down," Liam added.

February 2024: Oasis Is Nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

<p>Steve Thorne/Redferns</p> Liam Gallagher in 2024

Steve Thorne/Redferns

Liam Gallagher in 2024

In February 2024, Oasis was among this year's artists nominated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. True to form, Liam was characteristically ornery about the band’s nomination.

“As much as I love Mariah Carey and all that, I want to say: do me a favor and f— off,” he told The Sunday Times. “It’s like putting me in the rap hall of fame, and I don’t want to be part of anything that mentally disturbed. Besides, I’ve done more for rock n’ roll than half of them clowns on that board. So it’s all a load of bollocks.”

Ultimately, Oasis was not among the 2024 inductees.

August 2024: Oasis Announces 2025 Reunion Tour

<p>Simon Emmett</p> Liam and Noel Gallagher in 2024

Simon Emmett

Liam and Noel Gallagher in 2024

Which brings us to this week's big news. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Liam and Noel Gallagher announced multiple stadium dates across the U.K. and Ireland for their Oasis Live '25 tour next summer.

“There has been no great revelatory moment that has ignited the reunion," a statement from the band's management explained, "just the gradual realization that the time is right."

It remains unclear if any of the other founding members of Oasis will join the Gallaghers on tour, but Tuesday's announcement did confirm that the band intends to extend the 2025 tour to other countries outside of the U.K. and Ireland.

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