Oasis
Members
Bio
Oasis is a British rock band formed in Manchester (U.K.) in 1991. Original members were Liam Gallagher (vocals), Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass) and Tony McCarroll (drums). They were later joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar).
Oasis has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide and has had eight UK #1 singles. Liam sings, Noel Gallagher is the group's songwriter and the Gallagher brothers are the band's only continual members.
The present Oasis lineup is completed by songwriters rhythm/lead guitarist Gem Archer and bass guitarist Andy Bell, as well as unofficial drummer Zak Starkey.
The band rose to prominence performing on the Manchester club circuit. They were signed to independent record label Creation Records and afterwards released their debut album Definitely Maybe in 1994.
The following year, the band recorded (What's the Story) Morning Glory? with their new drummer Alan White, while rivaling with Britpop peers Blur.
The Gallagher brothers were featured regularly in the nation's tabloids for their notorious sibling rivalry and wild lifestyles, cultivating a reputation as both bad boys and a band of the people.
At the peak of its fame, Oasis' third album, Be Here Now, hit #1 in the UK charts, #2 in the U.S. and also became the fastest-selling album in UK history, with almost half a million copies sold on the first day alone and 700,000 in its first week.
In 2000, while recording their fourth album, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, Oasis lost two founding members and suffered a notable drop in popularity in America. But they persisted and would bounce back.
The band added replacements Gem Archer and Andy Bell for Heathen Chemistry in 2002, which was commercially successful and well-received among fans.
In 2005, their sixth album, Don't Believe the Truth, with Zak Starkey, was their best-selling and best-received album in a decade. The following year, the band released a "best-of" album entitled Stop the Clocks.
In February 2007, Oasis received a BRIT Award for outstanding contribution to music. The band is currently recording its seventh studio album.
