Noel and Liam Gallagher, two of rock music’s most polarizing figures, unknowingly changed the course of British rock forever in the mid-1990s. The brothers and bandmates were catapulted into the mainstream following the surprise success of their albums Definitely Maybe and What’s the Story Morning Glory?
Oasis, comprised of the Gallagher brothers, guitarist Paul Arthurs, bassist Paul McGuigan, and drummer Tony McCarroll, helped usher in a new era of chart-topping acts within the U.K. Their sudden fame coincided with a string of public feuds and headline-making statements from both Gallagher siblings. The music they made together as Oasis continues to influence artists and spark discussion, decades later.
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[RELATED: Behind the Band Name: Oasis]
From a look back at one of their most iconic gigs to a deep dive into a formative album, here are four Oasis books every music fan should read:
1. Getting High: The Adventures of Oasis
Music journalist Paolo Hewitt documents his time spent accompanying the band on tour during the mid-1990s in this engaging 2016 release. Getting High: The Adventures of Oasis offers a revealing look into the often chaotic lives of the Gallagher brothers, seen up close during their rapid rise to fame.
2. Oasis’ Definitely Maybe
This installment of Bloomsbury’s ongoing 33 1/3rd series takes a deep dive into the creation and impact of Oasis’s influential 1994 album, Definitely Maybe. Author Alex Niven gives context to the musical movement spurred by the band’s debut record, which arrived at a time of intensive societal transformation for the band’s home country.
3. Supersonic: The Complete, Authorised and Uncut Interviews
The band hand-curated this comprehensive and insightful collection of interviews, offering a surprisingly authentic look into their often turbulent career. Released in 2021, Supersonic: The Complete, Authorised and Uncut Interviews looks back through the years while not glossing over some of the Gallagher brothers’ most controversial moments.
4. Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever
In 1996, the group performed two dates in the green fields of Knebworth, England, drawing more than 250,000 fans. That weekend of live shows, now ranked among the group’s most important concerts of their career, is documented in this impressive 2021 compilation. Through a collection of intimate, rarely-seen photos, readers get transported back to a moment that helped signify Oasis’ prominence in modern music.
Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images
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30th January 1969: British rock group the Beatles performing their last live public concert on the rooftop of the Apple Organization building for director Michael Lindsey-Hogg's film documentary, 'Let It Be,' on Savile Row, London, England. Drummer Ringo Starr sits behind his kit. Singer/songwriters Paul McCartney and John Lennon perform at their microphones, and guitarist George Harrison (1943 – 2001) stands behind them. Lennon's wife Yoko Ono sits at right. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images) -
Paul Revere & The Raiders Perform American pop group Paul Revere & the Raiders perform in matching outfits, probably on a television studio set, mid 1960s. The band includes Mark Lindsay (third left) as the vocalist and Paul Revere (right) on keyboards. (Photo by Authenticated News/Getty Images) -
English rock and pop group The Hollies perform the song 'Sorry Suzanne' on the set of the BBC Television pop music television show Top Of The Pops at Lime Grove Studios in London on 27th March 1969. Members of the band are, from left, Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Allan Clarke, Terry Sylvester and Bernie Calvert. (Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns) -
LOS ANGELES – MARCH 10: Singer and band leader Brian Wilson of the rock and roll group 'The Beach Boys' goofs around during a portrait session at Pacific Ocean Park on March 10, 1966 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Reba McEntire performs at San Jose Arena on November 23, 1994 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) -
Mick Jagger performing with The Rolling Stones during a secret gig live at the 100 Club in London's Oxford Street. They were billed as 'Diz And The Doormen'. May 31 1982. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
