Oasis are an English rock band founded in Manchester in 1991. The band originally included Liam Gallagher (lead vocals), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (guitar), Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan (bass guitar) and Tony McCarroll (drums), who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar, vocals, main songwriter). The band, who reunited in 2024, currently consists of Liam and Noel Gallagher, Arthurs, guitarist Gem Archer and bassist Andy Bell (both of whom first joined in 1999).

History In 1991, bassist Paul McGuigan, guitarist Paul Arthurs, drummer Tony McCarroll, and singer Chris Hutton formed a band called The Rain. Arthurs soon replaced Hutton with Liam Gallagher who suggested the band change their name to Oasis.Harris, John. Britpop!: Cool Britannia and the Spectacular Demise of English Rock. Da Capo Press, 2004. , pg. 124–25 The band's first gig was attended by Liam's brother Noel, a former roadie with Inspiral Carpets, who asked to join the band as lead guitarist and main songwriter.

The band released their debut album, Definitely Maybe, in 1994, which was the only album to feature McCarroll who was ousted from the band in 1995 and replaced by Alan "Whitey" White. White made his debut with Oasis on a Top of the Pops performance of "Some Might Say".Harris, pg. 226 The band released their second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, in 1995. Shortly before the albums release in September 1995, McGuigan left the band due to nervous exhaustion, his replacement was Scott McLeod who stayed with the band until October when he quit in the middle of a US tour, causing the band to cancel the remainder of the leg. McGuigan returned for the next leg of European shows. McLeod later called Noel to say he regretted his decision.

In 1997, the band were joined by Mike Rowe as touring keyboardist. In 1999, both Arthurs and McGuigan left the band to spend more time with their families. Noel soon approached Gem Archer (of Heavy Stereo) to replace Arthurs, and former Ride guitarist Andy Bell to replace McGuigan, despite having never played bass before. In May 2000, Noel Gallagher quit the band mid tour. To replace him the band were joined by Mother Earth guitarist Matt Deighton on rhythm guitar while Archer took over lead guitar duties. At the end of the tour Noel returned and Deighton left.

For the band's next tour, Zeb Jameson replaced Rowe as touring keyboardist, although Rowe subsequently returned in 2001. Also in 2001, Alan White's brother Steve briefly replaced him on drums. In 2002, former Kula Shaker organist Jay Darlington joined as new touring keyboardist. In 2004, Alan White was asked to leave the band, his replacement was Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr and drummer with The Who) as a session/touring member.

This line-up stayed constant until 2008, when Starkey departed the band. His replacement was Chris Sharrock (the La's, the Icicle Works and the Lightning Seeds) who toured with the band until 2009, when they split due to tensions between the Gallagher brothers. Liam subsequently formed Beady Eye with Archer, Bell and Sharrock, while Noel formed Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds with former keyboardist Mike Rowe, and was later joined by Sharrock and Archer in 2016, following the break up of Beady Eye. In his solo career, Liam regularly collaborated with Arthurs, who also played with Beady Eye when Archer injured himself.

In August 2024, the band announced they were reforming for a tour in 2025. After months of speculation on who else would be returning to the band, the line-up was confirmed to be Arthurs, Archer and Bell, alongside drummer Joey Waronker, keyboardist Christian Madden (both of whom had toured with Liam), trombonist Alastair White, trumpeter Joe Auckland and saxophonist Steve Hamilton (all of whom had toured with Noel). High Flying Birds backing vocalist Jessica Greenfield was also initially announced as part of the touring line-up but did not perform on the tour.

In October 2025, Arthurs announced he was pulling out of the Asian and Australian legs of the tour, to undergo treatment following a diagnosis of prostate cancer earlier in the year. It was later revealed that Mike Moore (whom had toured with Liam) would fill in for Arthurs during those dates.

Official members

Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsLiam Gallagherall releasesNoel GallagherPaul "Bonehead" ArthursGem Archerall releases from Familiar to Millions (2000) onwards, except Knebworth 1996 (2021)Andy Bell

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsPaul "Guigsy" McGuiganbass Tony McCarroll1991–1995drumsAlan "Whitey" White1995–2004 Touring musicians

Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsJoey Waronker2025–presentnoneChristian Maddenkeyboards Steve Hamiltonsaxophone Joe Aucklandtrumpet Alastair White trombone

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsScott McLeod1995 bass noneMark Feltham 1996harmonicaJanette MasonkeyboardsKnebworth 1996 (2021)Mike RoweMatt Deighton 2000 rhythm guitarnoneZeb Jameson2000–2001keyboards Familiar to Millions (2000)Steve White 2001 noneJay Darlington2002–2009keyboards Zak Starkey2004–2008Chris Sharrock 2008–2009Time Flies... 1994–2009 live tracks (2010)Mike Moore2025 rhythm guitarnone

Timeline

Touring timeline

Line-ups PeriodMembersReleasesEarly – Mid 1991 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Paul Arthurs – guitars Paul McGuigan – bass Tony McCarroll – drumsnone August 1991 – April 1995 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, backing vocals, bass Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar, keyboards Paul McGuigan – bass Tony McCarroll – drums Definitely Maybe (1994) (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) The Masterplan (1998) April – September 1995 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards, bass Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar, keyboards Paul McGuigan – bass Alan White – drums, percussion (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) The Masterplan (1998) September – October 1995 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar Alan White – drums, percussion Scott McLeod – bass none October 1995 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – guitar, vocals Paul Arthurs – bass Alan White – drums, percussionnone October 1995 – August 1996 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar Paul McGuigan – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Be Here Now (1997)August 1996 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar Paul McGuigan – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Janette Mason – keyboards (touring) Mark Feltham – harmonica (touring) Knebworth 1996 (2021)August 1996 – June 1997 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar Paul McGuigan – bass Alan White – drums, percussion The Masterplan (1998) June 1997 – August 1999 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards, bass Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar Paul McGuigan – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Mike Rowe – keyboards Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (1999) late 1999 – 19 May 2000 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Mike Rowe – keyboards none 30 May – late 2000 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Gem Archer – lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Mike Rowe – keyboards Matt Deighton – rhythm guitar none late 2000 – January 2001 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Mike Rowe – keyboards Familiar to Millions (2000)January – June 2001 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Zeb Jameson – keyboards May – June 2001Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Steve White – drums, percussion Zeb Jameson – keyboards June 2001 – mid 2002 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion, occasional acoustic guitar Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Andy Bell – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Mike Rowe – keyboards Heathen Chemistry (2002)mid 2002 – early 2004 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion, occasional acoustic guitar Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards, drums Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Andy Bell – bass Alan White – drums, percussion Jay Darlington – keyboards Don't Believe the Truth (2005) early 2004 – May 2008 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion, occasional acoustic guitar Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards, drums Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards, harmonica, bass, backing vocals Andy Bell – bass, rhythm guitar, keyboards Jay Darlington – keyboards Zak Starkey – drums, percussion Don't Believe the Truth (2005) Dig Out Your Soul (2008)May 2008 – August 2009 Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion, occasional acoustic guitar Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Jay Darlington – keyboards Chris Sharrock – drums, percussion none On hiatus 2009 to 2024Mid 2024 – June 2025Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bassnone to date June – October 2025Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Christian Madden – keyboards Joey Waronker – drums, percussion Steve Hamilton – saxophone Joe Auckland – trumpet Alastair White – trombone October – November 2025Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Christian Madden – keyboards Joey Waronker – drums, percussion Steve Hamilton – saxophone Joe Auckland – trumpet Alastair White – trombone Mike Moore – rhythm guitar November 2025 – presentLiam Gallagher – lead vocals, percussion Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar Gem Archer – rhythm and lead guitar Andy Bell – bass Christian Madden – keyboards Joey Waronker – drums, percussion Steve Hamilton – saxophone Joe Auckland – trumpet Alastair White – trombone

References