Noel Gallagher reveals why his Top of the Pops appearance was a 'comedy of errors'
He chatted to Jackie Brambles
Last updated 9th Jun 2023
Noel Gallagher has opened up on the joys of performing on Top of the Pops during the early days of his Oasis career.
The 56-year-old High Flying Birds frontman chatted to Greatest Hits Radio presenter Jackie Brambles on Thursday (8th June), where he candidly discussed the 'comedy of errors' involved in the band's performance, as well as sharing how he told his mum that Oasis were on the show.
Noel said: "It was only after our first Top of the Pops appearance that my mum accepted what we were doing was in any way valid. She was like 'What are you doing in London?' and we had to tell her 'We're on Top of the Pops. We've been telling you we're amazing.'
"It's like you've made it when you did Top of the Pops - that was it. But as great as it is, it kind of shatters the illusion because I always thought everyone that was on was a multi-millionaire. We turned up in a diesel transit van that somebody had put petrol in, so it broke down. It was all a comedy of errors."
Despite this, Noel and his fellow Oasis band members enjoyed the experience of performing on the iconic music show - even if they didn't always want to sing live.
Noel added: "But we used to love going and I think we were the only band ever to refuse to play live. Everybody else was like 'can we play live on Top of the Pops?' and we were like 'I'm not playing live, I'd rather get drunk in the bar to be honest with you and then mime badly'."
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds released their latest album 'Council Skies' on 2nd June. The band are also going on a headline arena tour later this year, in addition to performing a series of summer shows.
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Take a look at Noel Gallagher's amazing career:
Noel, Paul, Liam and Peggy Gallagher in 1974
Noel Thomas David Gallagher was born in Longsight, Manchester on 29th May 1967. He was the middle child of Peggy (née Sweeney) and Thomas Gallagher and was born two years after older sibling Paul. Their younger sibling William John Paul Gallagher (Liam) was born five years after Noel in September 1972. Pictured are the three Gallagher brothers with mum Peggy in 1974.
Noel Gallagher's childhood home
Soon after Liam's birth, the Gallaghers moved to Ashby Avenue and then to Cranwell Drive in Burnage (pictured). With a violent and alcoholic father, Noel and his brothers had an unhappy childhood before mum Peggy left Thomas in 1982 with her three children. In his teenage years, Noel was expelled from school for throwing flour on a teacher and he received six months' probation for robbing a corner shop alongside a friend – something he later admitted was a "very stupid thing to do."
Noel Gallagher's hero Johnny Marr with Morrissey
Noel Gallagher found salvation from his brush with the law through music. He taught himself to play guitar and witnessing The Smiths on Top of the Pops in 1983 proved to be a pivotal moment in his life. Noel noted in 2007: "I remember seeing The Smiths on Top Of The Pops, and I don't mean this in a sycophantic way, but I wanted to be Johnny Marr. He had the Brian Jones haircut, the turtleneck, and the big red semi-acoustic guitar and he was cool as f---."
Noel Gallagher at the Hacienda
Noel Gallagher at the legendary Hacienda nightclub in Manchester in 1989. He later said that the unity and togetherness of the acid house scene "changed my life." During the late 1980s he spent many years unemployed, however for a short period he did land a job at British Gas in the company's storehouse where he spent time writing songs, including an embryonic version of Oasis' future anthem 'Live Forever.'
Noel Gallagher the Inspiral Carpets roadie
In 1988, Noel Gallagher formed a friendship with Inspiral Carpets guitarist Graham Lambert after they met at a Stone Roses show. Noel unsuccessfully applied to become their lead singer in 1989 – losing out to Tom Hingley – but became a roadie for the band over the next three years alongside van driver Mark Collins, who later joined The Charlatans. Pictured is Noel setting up for the Inspiral Carpets in Manchester in the early 90s.
Noel Gallagher becomes 'The Chief' of Oasis
With Noel on the road with Inspiral Carpets, younger brother Liam joined a band called The Rain alongside founding members Paul McGuigan (bass), Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs (guitars), Tony McCarroll (drums). Upon the suggestion of Liam, the band changed their name to Oasis after Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon. Noel approached Oasis and asked to become their leader and songwriter – hence his nickname The Chief – and brought a cavalcade of songs and ideas with him. The rest, they say, is history.
Oasis signed to Creation Records
Oasis spent the next year finely honing their craft and in spring 1993 recorded the 8-song demo tape Live Demonstration featuring raw versions of future Oasis classics including 'Rock N' Roll Star'. Ahead of the demo's release, Oasis drove six hours to play a gig at Glasgow King Tut's in May 1993 where, unbeknownst to them, Creation Records boss Alan McGee was in attendance. He signed Oasis on the spot. Pictured is Noel Gallagher on stage at The Water Rats in London in January 1994.
Noel Gallagher writes Oasis' debut album 'Definitely Maybe'
Featuring 11 songs all penned by Noel Gallagher, including 'Supersonic', 'Shakermaker', 'Live Forever' and 'Cigarettes & Alcohol', Oasis' seminal debut album 'Definitely Maybe' was released in 1994 and it became the fastest-selling debut album in British history at the time. Not just one of the greatest albums of the Britpop era, it's also one of the finest records of all time.
Oasis in 1994
Oasis prepare to take on the world in 1994.
Noel Gallagher with Liam in 1995
Noel Gallagher and his younger brother Liam in June 1995 shortly before the release of Oasis' second album '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?'. Featuring timeless Noel-penned anthems incluing 'Wonderwall', 'Don't Look Back in Anger' and 'Champagne Supernova', the album has sold more than 22 million units globally including a phenomenal 4.7 million in the UK alone.
Noel Gallagher performs at Maine Road with Oasis
Six months after the release of their blockbuster second studio album '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?', Oasis played two colossal concerts at Maine Road stadium – home of Noel and Liam's beloved Manchester City – on 27th and 28th April 1996. Noel commented in 2019: "They were amazing gigs and it will never be repeated."
'This is history!' - Oasis rock Knebworth
Oasis arguably reached the zenith of their popularity in August 1996 when they played to 80,000 people over two nights at Loch Lomond in Scotland, and a historic 250,000 fans at their two Knebworth House mega-concerts. Noel famously said on stage at Knebworth: "This is history. This is history. Right here. Right now. This is history!" He wasn't wrong.
Noel Gallagher marries Meg Mathews
Noel Gallagher married Meg Mathews in June 1997 and they had one daughter together, Anaïs Gallagher, who was born in January 2000. The couple divorced in 2001.
Oasis release 'Be Here Now'
Oasis' third album 'Be Here Now' was a record-breaker in August 1997, selling a whopping 813,000 in its first seven days in the UK. Noel later stated that the success of predecessor '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?' had an adverse effect on the follow-up record, saying: "I started to overthink it." He also said 'Be Here Now's popularity didn't indicate it was a great album, explaining: "Just because you sell lots of records, it doesn't mean to say you're any good. Look at Phil Collins."
Noel Gallagher quits drugs
As detailed in the 2000 Oasis song 'Gas Panic!', Noel Gallagher suffered "serious panic attacks" in the late 90s brought on by his debauched party lifestyle. He quit drugs in June 1998.
Oasis announce departure of Guigsy and Bonehead
In August 1999, Noel and Liam Gallagher held a press conference (pictured) to announce that co-founding Oasis members Guigsy and Bonehead had left the band. Noel duly played all the guitar parts on Oasis' fourth studio album 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants' in 2000 before Gem Archer was recruited to replace Bonehead. Andy Bell later joined on bass. Notably, 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants' was the first Oasis record not to be written entirely by Noel, with Liam penning the track 'Little James'.
Oasis release 'Heathen Chemistry'
Noel Gallagher relinquished the songwriting baton yet further on July 2002's 'Heathen Chemistry' with Liam Gallagher penning three songs, and Gem Archer and Andy Bell a song apiece. Noel was responsible for two of the record's standout tunes, however – 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' and 'Little by Little.'
Oasis' final two albums
Oasis final two studio albums – 2005's 'Don't Believe the Truth' and 2008's 'Dig Out Your Soul' – were much more warmly received than their two predecessors and heralded by some as the band's finest material in a decade.
Noel Gallagher quits Oasis
Oasis officially split up in August 2009 when Noel Gallagher quit then band following a back stage altercation with Liam at the Rock en Siene festival in Paris. Noel wrote on Oasis' website: "It is with some sadness and great relief...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."
Noel Gallagher marries Sara MacDonald
After a decade together, Noel Gallagher married Sara MacDonald in June 2011 at the Lime Wood Hotel in New Forest National Park with Russell Brand serving as best man. They have two children together - Donovan Rory MacDonald Gallagher who was born in September 2007, Sonny Patrick MacDonald Gallagher, born in October 2010.
Noel Gallagher launches Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Noel Gallagher formally announced his solo project Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds to the world at a press conference in London in July 2011. Lauded by critics, the band's self-titled album 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' was released in October 2011 and it stormed straight in at Number 1 in the UK and went on to sell more than 800,000 copies. It spawned anthems including 'AKA... What a Life!', 'Dream On' and 'Everybody's on the Run' and it was an emphatic return to the fore for Noel. Since then, Noel has released two further albums 'Chasing Yesterday' and 'Who Built The Moon?'
Noel Gallagher honoured by Peter Blake
In 2012, Noel Gallagher featured on an updated version of The Beatles' famous 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' album cover by pop artist Peter Blake. Titled Vintage Blake, the piece marked Blake's 80th birthday and it depicts Noel playing his Union Jack guitar alongside Amy Winehouse, Paul Weller, Mick Jagger, Ian Curtis ang many other music legends. Noel told the BBC: "I was lucky enough to go down to his studio. We were fans and all the props were still there from the 'Sgt. Pepper' photo shoot."
Noel Gallagher becomes friends with Damon Albarn
Two decades on from Blur and Oasis' infamous caustic rivalry, in the 2010s Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn became close friends. Noel joined forces with Albarn, Graham Coxon, and Paul Weller to perform Blur's 'Tender' at a Teenage Cancer Trust Royal Albert Hall show in March 2013, and in 2017 Noel sang backing vocals on the Gorillaz song 'We Got The Power.'
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