William John Paul Gallagher (born 21 September 1972) is an English singer and songwriter. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the rock band Oasis, and later served as the singer of Beady Eye, before performing as a solo artist after the dissolution of both bands.[1][2] His dress sense–with a penchant for Parka jackets–and abrasive manner have been the subject of commentary in the press; through these and his distinctive singing style he remains one of the most recognisable figures in British music. On his singing Spin magazine states he “twists vowels to the stretching point Johnny Rotten-style — “sun-shee-ine.”[3]
Although his older brother Noel wrote the majority of Oasis' songs, Liam penned the singles "Songbird" and "I'm Outta Time", along with a string of album tracks and B-sides. Noel departed Oasis in 2009 and formed Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, while Liam continued with the former members of Oasis, without Noel, forming Beady Eye and releasing two albums before they disbanded in 2014. His debut solo album As You Were, which was released 6 October 2017, proved to be a critical and commercial success, topping the UK Albums Chart and being certified Platinum.
As You Were sold over 103,000 units in its first week in the United Kingdom. It is the ninth fastest-selling debut of the decade in the UK.[4] In 2018, the album was certified Platinum, with UK sales of over 300,000 units. In the United States, it opened at number 30 on the Billboard 200 with 15,000 album-equivalent units, including 14,000 traditional sales.[5] His second solo album, Why Me? Why Not., is set to be released on 20 September 2019
Early life
William John Paul Gallagher was born in Longsight, Manchester, to Irish parents Thomas and Peggy Gallagher. He was physically abused by his father as a child, although not to the extent that his older brothers Noel and Paul were. He has said that the abuse affected him deeply and inspired him to become an artist.[6] When Liam was 10, Peggy took the boys and moved away from Thomas (she divorced him in 1986).[7] Although Liam maintained sporadic contact with his father throughout his teens, he has said that their issues remain unresolved. Paul and Noel often contend that even from a young age, Liam went out of his way to antagonise people, especially Noel, with whom he shared a bedroom. The Gallagher brothers were troubled, especially in their mid-teens; Liam often stole bicycles from local shops. He attended St. Bernard's RC Primary School until age 11, then The Barlow Roman Catholic High School in Didsbury; despite common reports that he was expelled at age 16 for fighting, Liam was actually suspended for three months. He then returned to school, where he completed his last term in Spring 1990.[8] He gained 4 GCSEs.[9]
Liam had no interest in music at a young age, preferring sports. He credits his change in attitude towards music to a blow to the head by a hammer he received from a student from a rival school. After this incident, he became infatuated with the idea of joining a band.
Noel has said that Liam showed little interest in music until his late teens, was better looking than him, a better singer, had better clothes and could wear a parka jacket with more style.[9] Gallagher became confident in his ability to sing and began listening to bands like the Beatles, the Stone Roses, the Who, the Kinks, the Jam, and T.Rex. In the process he forged an obsession with former Beatles singer/songwriter John Lennon; Liam would later sarcastically claim to be Lennon reincarnated, despite being born eight years prior to Lennon's death
When school friend Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan, invited Gallagher to join his band, The Rain, as a vocalist, he agreed. Liam was the band's co-songwriter, along with guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs. Noel Gallagher has since openly mocked this writing partnership, describing them as being "just awful". Liam said that, "We were shit".[9] The band only rehearsed once a week and did not get many gigs. It was after one of their rare shows in 1991 at the Manchester Boardwalk that Noel, having recently returned from touring internationally as a roadie with Inspiral Carpets, saw them perform.
In 1993, Oasis played a four-song setlist at Glasgow's famous King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, where Alan McGee of Creation Records discovered them and signed them on for a six-record deal. In late 1993 and '94, the band recorded the album Definitely Maybe, which released on August 28, 1994, and went on to become the fastest-selling British debut album ever. Liam was praised for his vocal contributions to the album, and his presence made Oasis a popular live act. Critics cited influences from The Beatles and Sex Pistols. Liam's attitude garnered attention from the British tabloid press, which often ran stories concerning his alleged drug use and behaviour.
In 1997, Definitely Maybe was named the 14th-greatest album of all time in a 'Music of the Millennium' poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, The Guardian and Classic FM.[11] In Channel 4's '100 Greatest Albums' countdown in 2005, the album was placed at number 6.[12] In 2006, NME placed the album third in a list of the greatest British albums ever, behind The Stone Roses' self-titled debut album and The Smiths' The Queen Is Dead.[13] In a 2006 British poll run by NME and the book of British Hit Singles and Albums, Definitely Maybe was voted the best album of all time with The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band finishing second and Revolver third.[14] Q Magazine placed it at number five on their greatest albums of all-time list in 2006, and in that same year NME hailed it as the greatest album of all time.
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? was even more successful, becoming the third-best selling album in British history.[15] Around this time, Oasis became embroiled in a well documented media-fuelled feud with fellow Britpop band Blur. The differing styles of the bands now leading the Britpop movement – Oasis a working class, northern band and Blur a middle class, southern band – made the media perceive them as natural rivals. In August 1995, Blur and Oasis released new singles on the same day. Blur's "Country House" outsold Morning Glory's second single, "Roll with It", 274,000 copies to 216,000 during the week.[16] When the band mimed the single on Top of the Pops, Liam pretended to play Noel's guitar and Noel pretended to sing, taking a jibe at the show's format.
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? is considered to be a seminal record of the Britpop era and as one of the best albums of the nineties,[17] and it appears in several charts as one of the greatest albums of all time.[18] In 2010, Rolling Stone commented that "the album is a triumph, full of bluster, bravado and surprising tenderness. Morning Glory capped a true golden age for Britpop."[19] The magazine ranked the album at 378 on its 2012 list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".[20] The album's enduring popularity within the UK was reflected when it won the BRITs Album of 30 years at the 2010 BRIT Awards. The award was voted by the public to decide the greatest 'Best Album' winner in the history of the BRIT Awards.[21] The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[22]
After an incident of air rage in 1998 (apparently over a scone) on a flight to Australia, Gallagher was banned for life from Cathay Pacific airlines; Gallagher said he would "rather walk".[23] During the tour of Australia, Gallagher was arrested and charged with assault after allegedly head-butting a 19-year-old fan, who claimed he was only asking him for a photo. Criminal charges were later dropped, although a civil case was pursued that led to Gallagher reportedly settling out of court.[24]
Oasis's eagerly anticipated third album, Be Here Now, was released on 21 August 1997 and set a new record as the fastest-selling album in UK Chart history. The album was derided by Noel in later years,[25] but Liam has defended the album, describing it as "a top record".[25]
On the first day of release, Be Here Now sold over 424,000 copies, becoming the fastest-selling album in British chart history; initial reviews were overwhelmingly positive.[26] The album's producer Owen Morris said the recording sessions were marred by arguments and drug abuse, and that the band's only motivations were commercial.[27] As of 2008, the album had sold eight million copies worldwide. It was the best-selling album of 1997 in the UK, with 1.47 million units sold.[28] The album topped the UK Vinyl Albums Chart in 2016, 19 years after its original release.[29]
Creation Records shut down in 1999, following which the Gallagher brothers set up their own label, Big Brother Recordings for all future Oasis releases. Interestingly, future album and singles were marked with codes starting with 'RKID'.
Oasis returned in 2000 with Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. Founding members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan left during the recording, leaving Liam Gallagher as the only member remaining from The Rain. The album featured their first song written by Liam rather than Noel, "Little
Although his older brother Noel wrote the majority of Oasis' songs, Liam penned the singles "Songbird" and "I'm Outta Time", along with a string of album tracks and B-sides. Noel departed Oasis in 2009 and formed Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, while Liam continued with the former members of Oasis, without Noel, forming Beady Eye and releasing two albums before they disbanded in 2014. His debut solo album As You Were, which was released 6 October 2017, proved to be a critical and commercial success, topping the UK Albums Chart and being certified Platinum.
As You Were sold over 103,000 units in its first week in the United Kingdom. It is the ninth fastest-selling debut of the decade in the UK.[4] In 2018, the album was certified Platinum, with UK sales of over 300,000 units. In the United States, it opened at number 30 on the Billboard 200 with 15,000 album-equivalent units, including 14,000 traditional sales.[5] His second solo album, Why Me? Why Not., is set to be released on 20 September 2019
Early life
William John Paul Gallagher was born in Longsight, Manchester, to Irish parents Thomas and Peggy Gallagher. He was physically abused by his father as a child, although not to the extent that his older brothers Noel and Paul were. He has said that the abuse affected him deeply and inspired him to become an artist.[6] When Liam was 10, Peggy took the boys and moved away from Thomas (she divorced him in 1986).[7] Although Liam maintained sporadic contact with his father throughout his teens, he has said that their issues remain unresolved. Paul and Noel often contend that even from a young age, Liam went out of his way to antagonise people, especially Noel, with whom he shared a bedroom. The Gallagher brothers were troubled, especially in their mid-teens; Liam often stole bicycles from local shops. He attended St. Bernard's RC Primary School until age 11, then The Barlow Roman Catholic High School in Didsbury; despite common reports that he was expelled at age 16 for fighting, Liam was actually suspended for three months. He then returned to school, where he completed his last term in Spring 1990.[8] He gained 4 GCSEs.[9]
Liam had no interest in music at a young age, preferring sports. He credits his change in attitude towards music to a blow to the head by a hammer he received from a student from a rival school. After this incident, he became infatuated with the idea of joining a band.
Noel has said that Liam showed little interest in music until his late teens, was better looking than him, a better singer, had better clothes and could wear a parka jacket with more style.[9] Gallagher became confident in his ability to sing and began listening to bands like the Beatles, the Stone Roses, the Who, the Kinks, the Jam, and T.Rex. In the process he forged an obsession with former Beatles singer/songwriter John Lennon; Liam would later sarcastically claim to be Lennon reincarnated, despite being born eight years prior to Lennon's death
When school friend Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan, invited Gallagher to join his band, The Rain, as a vocalist, he agreed. Liam was the band's co-songwriter, along with guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs. Noel Gallagher has since openly mocked this writing partnership, describing them as being "just awful". Liam said that, "We were shit".[9] The band only rehearsed once a week and did not get many gigs. It was after one of their rare shows in 1991 at the Manchester Boardwalk that Noel, having recently returned from touring internationally as a roadie with Inspiral Carpets, saw them perform.
In 1993, Oasis played a four-song setlist at Glasgow's famous King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, where Alan McGee of Creation Records discovered them and signed them on for a six-record deal. In late 1993 and '94, the band recorded the album Definitely Maybe, which released on August 28, 1994, and went on to become the fastest-selling British debut album ever. Liam was praised for his vocal contributions to the album, and his presence made Oasis a popular live act. Critics cited influences from The Beatles and Sex Pistols. Liam's attitude garnered attention from the British tabloid press, which often ran stories concerning his alleged drug use and behaviour.
In 1997, Definitely Maybe was named the 14th-greatest album of all time in a 'Music of the Millennium' poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, The Guardian and Classic FM.[11] In Channel 4's '100 Greatest Albums' countdown in 2005, the album was placed at number 6.[12] In 2006, NME placed the album third in a list of the greatest British albums ever, behind The Stone Roses' self-titled debut album and The Smiths' The Queen Is Dead.[13] In a 2006 British poll run by NME and the book of British Hit Singles and Albums, Definitely Maybe was voted the best album of all time with The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band finishing second and Revolver third.[14] Q Magazine placed it at number five on their greatest albums of all-time list in 2006, and in that same year NME hailed it as the greatest album of all time.
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? was even more successful, becoming the third-best selling album in British history.[15] Around this time, Oasis became embroiled in a well documented media-fuelled feud with fellow Britpop band Blur. The differing styles of the bands now leading the Britpop movement – Oasis a working class, northern band and Blur a middle class, southern band – made the media perceive them as natural rivals. In August 1995, Blur and Oasis released new singles on the same day. Blur's "Country House" outsold Morning Glory's second single, "Roll with It", 274,000 copies to 216,000 during the week.[16] When the band mimed the single on Top of the Pops, Liam pretended to play Noel's guitar and Noel pretended to sing, taking a jibe at the show's format.
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? is considered to be a seminal record of the Britpop era and as one of the best albums of the nineties,[17] and it appears in several charts as one of the greatest albums of all time.[18] In 2010, Rolling Stone commented that "the album is a triumph, full of bluster, bravado and surprising tenderness. Morning Glory capped a true golden age for Britpop."[19] The magazine ranked the album at 378 on its 2012 list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".[20] The album's enduring popularity within the UK was reflected when it won the BRITs Album of 30 years at the 2010 BRIT Awards. The award was voted by the public to decide the greatest 'Best Album' winner in the history of the BRIT Awards.[21] The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[22]
After an incident of air rage in 1998 (apparently over a scone) on a flight to Australia, Gallagher was banned for life from Cathay Pacific airlines; Gallagher said he would "rather walk".[23] During the tour of Australia, Gallagher was arrested and charged with assault after allegedly head-butting a 19-year-old fan, who claimed he was only asking him for a photo. Criminal charges were later dropped, although a civil case was pursued that led to Gallagher reportedly settling out of court.[24]
Oasis's eagerly anticipated third album, Be Here Now, was released on 21 August 1997 and set a new record as the fastest-selling album in UK Chart history. The album was derided by Noel in later years,[25] but Liam has defended the album, describing it as "a top record".[25]
On the first day of release, Be Here Now sold over 424,000 copies, becoming the fastest-selling album in British chart history; initial reviews were overwhelmingly positive.[26] The album's producer Owen Morris said the recording sessions were marred by arguments and drug abuse, and that the band's only motivations were commercial.[27] As of 2008, the album had sold eight million copies worldwide. It was the best-selling album of 1997 in the UK, with 1.47 million units sold.[28] The album topped the UK Vinyl Albums Chart in 2016, 19 years after its original release.[29]
Creation Records shut down in 1999, following which the Gallagher brothers set up their own label, Big Brother Recordings for all future Oasis releases. Interestingly, future album and singles were marked with codes starting with 'RKID'.
Oasis returned in 2000 with Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. Founding members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan left during the recording, leaving Liam Gallagher as the only member remaining from The Rain. The album featured their first song written by Liam rather than Noel, "Little
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