Oasis: The Truth

by Tony McCarroll

  Gene was sentenced to 90 days, of which he served 84.

  By the late fifties, Gene had to slow down, due to increasing back problems. He had a heart attack in 1960, which forced him into a retirement. After recuperating, his ever-changing Quartet continued to perform, record and regularly appeared at New York’s Metropole. He retired in 1967, proclaiming that ‘I feel too lousy to play and I know I must sound lousy.’

  Sad to say, he died from leukaemia and a heart attack on 16 October 1973. He was laid to rest at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois.

  Gene Krupa will forever be known as the man who made drums a solo instrument. He inspired millions to become drummers and also demonstrated a level of showmanship that has rarely, if ever, been equalled. Buddy Rich once said that Gene was the ‘beginning and the end of all jazz drummers’. And who am I to argue with Buddy Rich?

  APPENDIX 2

  AND SO TO THE SPARTANS

  And so to the 300 Spartans. I have often used the word ‘Spartan’ during the course of the book. This was a Mancunian term used for someone who would stand next to you against all the odds. Someone who recognised the difference between what you have, or what you say, as opposed to what you are and what you do. Someone who knew that, divided, we fall. Someone you could trust. Throughout my life I have met many such Spartans and many of them have played an integral part in my story, as I have in theirs.

  For all those who stood shoulder to shoulder, my gratitude. I – and the band – could not have achieved the glory without you.

  NON-GRATITUDES

  Non-Spartans

  Noel Gallagher

  After numerous albums and a spot of stage diving in Canada, Noel finally decided to call it a day with Oasis. He can be currently seen on Soccer AM every Saturday morning with his hair. His impending solo career should prove the final step in his search for that knighthood. Good Luck, Sir Noel, although I hope and pray it doesn’t involve a cover of Paul McCartney’s frog song.

  Paul ‘Guigs’ McGuigan

  After marrying the stewardess he had met on the flight to Japan, Paul retired to his back garden in north London.

  GRATITUDES

  The Spartans

  Liam Gallagher

  Liam is due to release his first material without Noel shortly, and I hope he puts his heart into it. If he does, we might just get the magic that I know he is capable of. He is also still regularly insulting all and sundry, as only he can.

  Paul Benjamin ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs

  Bonehead is currently touring with The Vortex after helping out in various other bands over the last 10 years. Last we spoke he was starring in a movie and loving the road again. A good man and a great drinker. Noel said, ‘It wasn’t as if it was Paul McCartney leaving The Beatles’ when Bonehead finally made the decision to quit. Bonehead said in return, ‘Ain’t Noel a nasty little twat.’

  Vinny Collins, my football manager

  Vinny followed Manchester City fervently, though with age he mellowed out somewhat. He remained loved and admired by all those around him. A couple of years ago, Vinny had an argument in a pub. A vengeful coward’s act extinguished one of the brightest flames that had ever burnt in Manchester. May God rest your soul, Vinny.

  Paul Gallagher

  Paul has probably benefitted from Oasis even more than his brothers. Destined for a rain-sodden life on the roads of Manchester, he has spent the last 20 years travelling the globe as a DJ or an A&R man. He loves his music and people love him. What better occupation? A good friend and a knowing man. Keep the spirit.

  The Policeman

  The Policeman was buried in Stockport after a quiet, solemn funeral. No one was ever charged with his shooting.

  Alan McGee

  McGee just about squeezes in as a Spartan, I suppose, for the fact he makes no bones about his business – unlike Noel, who for fear of not being loved will wrap it up in some bollocks. McGee went through his detox and after Creation finished in 1999 he formed a new label, Poptones, the following year.

  Trampy Spike

  Spike never did return to his previous life. He was one of the last old-school tramps in Manchester. He finally died, as many feared he would. A house fire he had started finished him. A true gentleman of the road and as dedicated a man as I have met.

  Huts (Chris Hutton)

  Huts is still in Burnage. He released a book called Don’t Look Back in Anger, which remains the only other really authentic recollection of what actually happened with the band.

  BigUn (Paul Ashbee)

  The mighty BigUn is still going strong and has been in contact with Noel over the last year or so. Things are still a bit frosty between them, however, and BigUn can’t see a reconciliation. Too much water under the bridge. He is still as lively as ever, though, and can currently be seen assisting Carlos Tévez after his move from Manchester United to Manchester City.

  The General (Jimmy Regan)

  The General is still trying to avoid BigUn and his expensive cars at his garage in Tallyrand. A recent incident involving a footballing icon’s Bentley has left the relationship between them at breaking point. Again.

  Jimmy the Butt / Robot Head Cat Killer

  Jimmy the Butt. My great friend and babysitter. An upright and solid man. Jimmy left us early in May 1990. He was only 23. His failing hearing was of no help as he crossed Stockport Road between two buses and then got hit head-on by a third. I guess it would take a bus to finally floor the big man.

  ‘Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.’

  You tell ’em, Jimmy.

  Chris and Tony Griffiths/The Real People/The Claggies

  Sick of helping Oasis with songwriting and not getting the recognition or the mullah, they went on to write records for too many acts to mention. They had a worldwide smash with a song that Tony had written for Cher and still produce their own material, which seems to get better with age.

  Marcus Russell

  Marcus still manages both Liam and Noel’s personal affairs, as far as I know. They’ve certainly kept him busy. Yet another Welsh Spartan.

  Owen Morris

  The Welsh mountain is still going strong in the industry and telling anyone who will listen about his box. This is the box he used to produce Definitely Maybe. Not gonna get technical with you, because I can’t, but by all accounts this box makes the music louder. Bit like a volume control, I guess.

  Mark Coyle

  Coyley finally retired from the group shortly after I left. This wasn’t down to him missing me, more the fact he was losing his hearing that rapidly he was in danger of going deaf. He went on to form a band called Tailgunner, in which Noel drummed. After hearing his drumming, I would just like to take this moment to give my own personal review. To be honest I’d be giving it too much credit if I marked it down as average. If I closed my eyes I could almost hear the same drum beat I was rattling out on Playschool in 1974. His timing was poor and the less said about the way he missed count the better. You weren’t expecting a good review were you, Noel?

  Maggie Mouzakitis

  Maggie grew from a steely but inexperienced young lady into a well-respected and award-winning tour manager. She now manages such national events as the MTV Awards and the Brits. Always knew the girl would go far. God bless yer, Maggie.

  Meg Matthews

  Meg eventually married Noel and they had a baby daughter, Anais. After a few years, though, the marriage ended.

  Kadamba

  After splitting from Liam, Kadamba went on to appear in a number of music videos as well as films starring the likes of Julia Roberts. She had the world at her feet, but she was tragically murdered by a jealous ex-boyfriend. The world became a slightly less beautiful place when she passed.

  Bridie and Tony (Mum and Dad)

  Both my mother and father still live life to the full in little old Levenshulme. Respect and love always.

  Adi

  Adi has played in one ban
d or another all his life. His love for music is matched only by his love for life. He is currently fathering the little miracle he has named Hollie. Thanks for everything, Noddy.

  Ged

  As a band and session musician, Ged has toured the world for the last 12 years. He is a highly regarded guitarist and songwriter in his field but is still slightly less talented than his eldest brother. Ahem. A pillar and a rock, the truest of Spartans.

  Gemma and Oliver

  They both live with Paula in Cheshire. Gemma has grown to be a loving and generous young lady who is currently pursuing her education. A father could not ask for more. Oliver is still bringing light to my life on a daily basis. Love you both.

  FUTURE SPARTANS

  Jamie McCarroll. Hollie McCarroll.

  LEVENSHULME SPARTANS

  I was lucky enough to be raised in Levenshulme, Manchester. My time there was magical and was made so by the number of terrific people who lived there. Thank you all. Spartans unite.

  Patrick Mannion. Stephen Dwyer. Noel Lonergan. Tony Dolan. Brendan McGlynn. Anthony Hogan. Quinny. Michael Hogan. Adrian Mulchrone. Andy Molloy. Roderick Mannion. Paul Croke. Kevin Deasy. Andrew Deeney. Colin Jones. Peter Deeney. Sean Molloy. Derek Williamson. Darren Griffin. Michael Dolan. Michael Kane. Howsy. Darren Panda. Paul Kelly. Rod Tate. Curly Macca. Lee Tate. Ted Ackroyd. John O’Connor. Aki. Tony French. Steve Reilly. Anthony Molloy. Steve Slack. Phil Booth. Mark Dolan. Michael McCarrick. James Brennan. Steve French. Dessie Walls. Paul Burns. Dave Molloy. Wayne Scott. Chris Walls. Peter Hanlon. Terry Kavanagh. Mickey Dolan. Paul O’Hara. John Paul Dolan. Chris O’Hara. Troy Scott. Dave Shepherd. Simon ‘Beanhead’ Muirhead. Mark Abbott Cotterill. Jason ‘Smurf’ Dexter. Mark Curley. Alan ‘Biff’ Bailey. Peter Dagleish. Michael ‘the Tash’ Gallagher. Eddie Finlay. Ian Shufflebottom. Martin Birbeck. Dave Pickering. Laurence Dolan. Martin Brady. Sean Croke. Tony Leishman. Dave McGriskin Paul Leishman. Darren ‘Tango’ Lang. Mark Albiston. Lee Panter. Kev Walls. Richard Croke. Paul Kedian. Wayne Dowd. Anthony Veale. Vinny Davies. Gary ‘Fudge’ Fletcher. Neil Pollitt. Ken Reilly. Pat Berry. Terry Corless. Chris Kelly. Mick Durber. Dave Slack. Little Jacko. Vinny Davies. Sean Davies. Tony Lake. Steve Brookes. Steve Lake. Russell Lake. Colin Masters. John Feeney. Paul Feeney. Joey Dowd. Paul Toland. Martin Brady. Alan O’Hara. John Duffy. Mark Duffy. Noel Dempsey. Derek McCreery. Andy Sweeney. Trevor Francis. Rolo. Keith Lyons. Roger Baldwin. Darren Pointon. Paul Dowling. Brian Dowling. Leo McKenna. Phillip Ramsden. Gary Lawler. Gary Roe. Jason Scott. Lee Panter. Mickey McGoldrick. Ray Hogan. Ged Hogan. Gavin Oakes. Darren Smith. Josh. Dean Smith. Gary McHugh. Jason McHugh. Carl Barry. Kevin Barry. Tommy Walsh. Peter Walsh. Rob Jennings. Steve Jennings. Kev Lynch. Paul McGoughey. Michael McClean. Mike Capp. Steve Duffield. Dave Gregg. Barry Westwood. Lee Robinson. Gary Howard. Gary Robinson. Simon Lang. Michael Phipps. Mark McGinley. Ged Cosnett. Dennis Dolan. Martin Dwyer. Michael Dwyer. Mike McCann. John Barrett. Tony Barrett. Liam Barrett. Heath Wilson. Martin Birbeck. Martin McVarnock. Mark Teehan. Sid. Colin McFadden. Sean Cannain. John Duffy. Dave Duffy. John Henry. Martin Henry. Tommy Cunny. ‘Simple’ Simon Graham. Finten Griffin. Tommy Colleran. Steve Colleran. Paul Muirhead. Damien Mulhall. Paul Nugent. Alfie Hanneman. Darren Brennan. Darren Towey. Gary Platt. Stuart Barber. John ‘Monty’ Monteith. Patsy Monteith. Kevin Monteith. Jason Pickering. Kieran Kavanagh. Simon Friggieri. Michael Brennan. Mike Billinge. Gary Seddon. Jason Seddon. Gary Breslin. Darren Robson.

  SPARTAN CLANS

  The McCarrolls and the O’Donnells. Thank you all.

  REMEMBERED SPARTANS

  Mark McCarroll. Willie O’Donnell. Paul Pointon. Declan Hockey. Paul ‘Ed’ Molloy. John Noble. Jimmy Ackroyd. Dave Smith. Joe Connolly. Jimmy Higgins. Vinnie Collins. Trampy Spike. Marrsy. Pat Muldoon. Martin Morrissey. Sean Walsh. John Roadhouse. Bernard ‘Sonny’ Lodge. Kevin Woodhead. Stiggy. Najib Daho. Terry Devlin. Gina Armitage. Rob Oliver. Brian Griffin. Dave Teehan. Geoffrey Newton. Dave Cotteril.

  WEST POINT SPARTANS

  Pat Morrin. Joe Morrin. Mike Morrin. John Morrin. Brian Griffiths. Mike Lester. Phil McClean. Jeff Bulcock. Mark Shenton. Steve Shenton. Vernon Cookson. Dave Rayson. Dave Ellis. Brendan Murray. Rick Heffernan. Dave Heffernan. Scotty. Jonathan Scott. Michael Hegarty. Kevin Hegarty. Lee Mall. Robert Bates. Gary Slack. Andy Slack. Colin Woodhead. Jason Watson. John Reagan. Geoff Bulcock.

  BURNAGE SPARTANS

  Chris Johnson. Anthony Dolan. John Hodkinson. Vinny Young. Willie ‘Jock’ McNeilly. Ged Young. Brian Jackson. Dave Lee. Robert Jackson. Pete Jackson. Rick McNeilly. Darryl Gordon. Dave Coates. Mark ‘Sid’ Cox. Paul Hewitt. Anthony Timmins. Steve Lee. Kurt.

  SALE SPARTANS

  Matthew O’Driscoll. Simon Jacobs. Kirkwood. Simon Bunyan. Danny Bunyon. Phil Garthwaite. Nick Hutt. Daniel O’Driscoll. Carl Wood. Jordan McLoughlin. Chinny. Paul Mercer. Craig Groves. Geordie Carl. Phil Hegarty. Kenny Cooke. Danny Jackson. Andy Bradley. Jason Bradley. Mike Cribbins. Rob Heale. Richard Sebatta. Jacko. Ged Carps. Steve Carps. Dominic Stuk. Gary Edwards. Dave Lambert. Mark Clibbins. Johnny Arcadia, Ryan Roberts and the true leader of Sale, Mr Christopher Bradley, ‘Coeur de Lion’. Nick Holmes.

  BARNSLEY SPARTANS

  Justin White. Martin Fox. Jamie Drumgoon. Ian Utley. Michael ‘Love’ Newton.

  SALFORD SPARTANS

  Anthony Green. Michael Milton. Richard Jackson. Kev Bailey. Jamie Horton. David Owen.

  SCOUSE SPARTANS

  Chris Griffiths. Tony Griffiths. Tony Elson. Digsy and Sean. Brian Lawler. Dougie Carney. Arthur Steve Darey. Andrew Jaundrill.

  THE CARRIGAHOLT SPARTAN

  Tom Flynn.

  SPARTANS EVERYWHERE

  Justin Moorhouse. Julian Dyson. Steve Rycroft. Stephen Patrick Morrissey. Marcus Bayley. Tommy O’Neill. Brian Gallagher. Paul Walsh. Shaun Ryder. Tony the Fitter. Brendan Shortall. Ian Brown. Tom Millward. Peter Reilly. Stephen Fretwell. John Saunders. Anton Chilton. John Courtney. Ken Hulston. Joe McKnight. Clint Boon. Craig Gill. Johnny Bramwell. Glen Thetap. Graham Massey. Steve White. Steve Hayes. Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield. Robert Manock. Ben Mellor. Brendan Shortall. Eddie Fitzpatrick. Ryan Fitzpatrick. George Irving. Ian Malileau. Wags. Jay Tonge. Gerry Kenny. John Travis. Lee Whelan. Paul Recca. Dave Recca. Peter Heneghan. Darren Heneghan. Declan Heneghan. Carl Brown. Sean Cummins. Jimmy Doherty. Tony Doherty. Tom Loughrey. Tony McCormick. Steve McCormick. Steve Ballinger. John Booth. Dutch Tom. Catwalk. Billy Mulackey. Sean McNally. Greg McNally. Ollie Mulloly. Andy Murphy. Joe Casserley. Georgi Kinkladze. Nicky Summerbee. Michael Brown. Mike Corbett. Stephen Ashbee. Jeff and Jim Whitley. Nigel Wilson.

  FEMALE SPARTANS

  Sue Taylor. Tracey Jordan. Elle Alvarez. Jane Dolan. Louise Jones. Mairead Keane. Sinead Robinson. Debbie Lucas. Kate Newton. Jill McCarroll. Catherine Manock. Lois Ashbee. Louise Seal. Clare Dolan. Clare Manock. Vicky Hutt. Sheila Monteith.

  STUDIO SPARTANS

  Dan Greenwood. Roy Mitchell. Gibbo. Dave Giggs. Dan Marland.

  SCANDANAVIAN SPARTANS

  Anders Larsen.

  LEGAL SPARTANS

  Jens Hills. David Spaine. Chris Woods. Chris Panayi. Garry Hunt. Tom Witley.

  OASIS SPARTANS

  Brian Cannon. Jason Rhodes. Roger Nowell. Tim Abbott. Chris Abbott. Phil Smith. Paul Slattery. Melissa Linsalato. Ian Robertson.

  GIGOGRAPHY

  All gigs are UK, unless otherwise stated.

  1991

  The Boardwalk, Manchester – 18 August

  1992

  The Boardwalk, Manchester – 15 January

  Dartford Polytechnic, Dartford – 19 April

  The Hippodrome, Oldham – 20 April

  Club 57, Oldham – 5 May

  The Boardwalk, Manchester – 14 July

  The Boardwalk, Manchester – 19 August

  In The City Festival, The Venue, Manchester – 13 September

  The Boardwalk, Manchester – 22 November

  1993

  The Boardwalk, Manchester – 5 January

  Le Bateau, Li
verpool – 1 March

  The Krazyhouse, Liverpool – 1 April

  The Boardwalk, Manchester – 1 May

  King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow – 31 May

  Manchester University, Manchester – 1 June

  Le Bateau, Liverpool – 1 July

  The Boardwalk, Manchester – 3 July

  The Duchess, Leeds – 11 September

  The Canal Bar, Manchester – 14 September

  Manchester University, Manchester – 7 October

  Manchester University, Manchester – 14 October

  Keele University, Keele – 27 October

  Sheffield University, Sheffield – 28 October

  The Wherehouse, Derby – 1 November

  Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton – 3 November

  The Powerhaus, London – 4 November

  Sheffield University, Sheffield – 28 November

  The Institute, Birmingham – 1 December

  The Plaza, Glasgow – 2 December

  Warwick University, Warwick – 4 December

  Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton – 8 December

  Manchester University, Manchester – 9 December

  The Cathouse, Glasgow – 10 December

  The Mill, Preston – 11 December

  The Riverside, Newcastle – 13 December

  King’s Hall, Bradford – 14 December

  The Krazyhouse, Liverpool – 16 December

  1994

  The Water Rats, London – 27 January

  Gleneagles Golf Club, Perthshire, Scotland – 6 February