Oasis Look Back In Anger

2 months ago 05th Sep 08:15

The history of rock is littered with pop stars' rows and ructions. Think of the arguments between The Who, The Kinks and even The Beatles who turned from being cuddly, loveable moptops into scowling enemies at the end driven apart in just a few intense years by women, money and the pressures of fame.

But never has there been such acrimony in a band as that in Oasis between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher who each see themselves as the kingpins and the dominant spirits of the Manchester group.

Their rows have been legendary and have become almost as talked about as their music which has dominated British rock for 15 years.

Now it looks as if their last row, which took place before Paris' Rock en Seine festival on Friday August 28, will result in the band imploding once and for all.

It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.

Just minutes before they were due on stage, the warring siblings got involved in a fist fight which ended with Liam smashing up one of his brother's most cherished guitars, throwing it over a fence and declaring "that's history for you!" The brawl was so bad at one point an onlooker called an ambulance fearing one, or both, of the brothers would end up seriously hurt.

Although it was far from the first time the pair had come to blows, just hours later perceived leader Noel announced he had left the band in a short, succinct and curt statement on their website in which he blamed his deteriorating relationship with brother Liam for his decision.

He said: "It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer."

Noel followed up his initial, somewhat, emotional post with a longer statement seemingly intent on hammering the final nail further into Oasis' coffin.

It read: "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 seek new pastures... I'll see you somewhere down the road. It's been a pleasure. Goodbye. NG."

So it seems that is the end of the road for Oasis. Rumours had been circulating for weeks that all was not well within the camp, and the cancellation of their appearance at Britain's V Festival in Chelmsford at the eleventh hour - officially because Liam had contracted laryngitis, although he was seen drinking into the small hours after finishing the Staffordshire leg of the event - hadn't helped matters leading up to the now already infamous Paris altercation.

The V cancellation also came soon after an interview Liam gave to NME magazine, in which he revealed relations between he and the guitarist were so strained they refuse to travel together and only see each other when performing. He added: "He doesn't like me and I don't like him, that's it."