Who: Liam Gallagher
What: Why Me? Why Not.
Where: Grasse, France, The French Riviera via North London via Manchester, England
Why: Oasis were a shit show. And both Gallagher brothers were covered in it. Tambourine man and lead vocalist Liam Gallagher, along with lead guitarist and primary songwriter Noel Gallagher, were at the epicentre of 90s Britpop.
In 1994 their first album became the fastest selling debut album of all time in Britain. Their next album became the biggest selling album of the 90s in the UK, and one of the best selling albums of all time.
In those heady days of halcyon wealth and glory it seemed Oasis could do no wrong.
Until they could.
After allegedly coming down with a severe case of laryngitis, Liam cancelled an August 23, 2009 Oasis gig. Noel contested that his prima donna brother had a penchant for diva like behaviour and was simply too hungover to play. In retaliation, Liam demanded an apology and sued. Noel apologized and Liam dropped the lawsuit
Five days later, on Friday August 28, 2009, Oasis were scheduled to perform near Paris at the annual three day Rock en Seine music festival.
As the band readied themselves backstage, a disagreement emerged between the brothers ending with Liam throwing Noel’s guitar around like an axe.
On stage Bloc Party announced mid set that Oasis would not be playing. Two hours later Noel posted online:
“It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that 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. Apologies to all the people who bought tickets to the shows in Paris Konstanz and Milan.” – Noel Gallagher
A few days later Noel elaborated on his original statement:
“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 get me cape and seek pastures new.”
The end.
Undeterred, Liam continued on with Oasis, or rather, the musicians who made up the band. Under new name Beady Eye, the Noel-less Oasis boys had two Top 5 UK studio albums and one UK Top 40 single before breaking up in 2014, five years after their inception.
Liam went solo in 2017 following a three year hiatus. His debut album topped the UK charts at #1, achieving gold certification in its first week. The album has since been certified platinum in the UK.
His follow up album, the equally successful Why Me? Why Not debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart. The album title makes reference to 1970s artwork by John Lennon. An apt title for both an album and man deeply indebted to the impact of The Beatles’ music on his life and career.
Gallagher purchased Lennon’s 1978 drawing “Why Me?” at a 1997 art exhibit in Munich. Shortly after hearing that he had acquired the piece, Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono gifted Gallagher with its companion piece, “Why Not?”.
Why Me? Why Not is brimming with Lennonisms, melodically and structurally. Ironically though, as sour as Gallagher has acknowledged himself to be, his Lennon channelling comes off sweeter and poppier than ever.
When: 2019
Editor’s Choice
https://youtu.be/wHVuW7eOPNI?si=ee71M611GvmTJ6Ju