Tony McCarroll, the former Oasis drummer who sued the Gallagher brothers after he was sacked from the band in 1995, has spoken out about the band’s reunion tour for the first time.
In a new interview, the drummer, who is often dubbed the “forgotten man of Oasis”, spoke about Noel and Liam Gallagher’s reunion tour, which will see the band perform a run of 14 shows in the UK and Ireland next summer for the first time since they broke up 2009.
“I’m happy for Noel and Liam. Really happy for them,” he told MailOnline. “And I’m dead happy for the fans more than anything and for those generations who haven’t seen Oasis.”
McCarroll’s time with the band began in the late Eighties, when the band was performing under the moniker “The Rain” and Noel Gallagher hadn’t yet joined the band.
After they formed Oasis with Noel, the Manchester-born McCarroll continued as their drummer, performing on their first two albums, 1994’s Definitely Maybe and 1995’s What’s The Story (Morning Glory?).
Tensions between McCarroll and Noel started to boil over as they repeatedly got into arguments, and Noel felt that the drummer wasn’t good enough to play new material.
In 1995, McCarroll was asked to leave and was replaced by Alan White, who continued with the band until 2004.
McCarroll then filed a lawsuit against Oasis, alleging that he was “unlawfully expelled from the partnership” and was therefore owed royalties of £18 m, as part of his five-album deal with Creation.
McCarroll eventually accepted an out-of-court settlement of £600,000 in March 1999 as well as giving up all claims for future royalties.
McCarroll revealed that his former bandmates had not yet been in touch with him about the reunion tour, telling the publication: “They haven’t reached out yet and to be honest I’m not holding my breath.”
“Would I consider being involved? I don’t know. At the end of the day I’m not the only ex-member left behind, so I’ll just crack on.”
“I haven’t made up my mind if I’m going to watch them play next year either. I was at their last ever gig in the UK at the V Festival. It’s weird and ironic that I was there at the first and last gig.”
“I think we all knew it was going to happen and it had to happen.”
“Whether it’s been a blag for 15 years I haven’t got a clue. They’re brothers at the end of the day – maybe their mum Peggy clashed their heads together and said ‘sort it out’.”
McCarroll said he wasn’t shocked when the band announced their comeback tour, and claimed he had predicted they would time it to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Definitely Maybe album.
Speaking to The Guardian in 1999 after his departure from the band, McCarroll said of his relationship with Noel: “I don’t have a bad thing to say about Noel Gallagher. He’s an a******* though.”
“We were in it together. I worked my b*****ks off to set up the group. I was a member of a super-group one day and unemployed the next. I was trying to work out how.”
However, McCarroll said he isn’t angry anymore, and that he would like to meet up with Noel again.
He said: “I last saw Liam just before Christmas and it was all hugs and kisses with him. We’re not on the phone to each other but the relationship is amicable, we’re all good.”
“I’ve not spoken to Noel in a while, but I’d love to see all of them again. It would be lovely if something nice happened, but I don’t expect anything. If it does, then great, nice ending to it all.”
In Supersonic, a 2016 documentary on the band, soundman Mark Coyle talked about how McCarroll had a hard time on the Definitely Maybe tour as tensions between the drummer and Gallagher continued to boil over.
“You’d have to feel for the boy. I’ll put my hand up with the rest of the band and say I gave him a terrible time as well,” he said.
Oasis Reunion: The Forgotten Man's Perspective
McCarroll’s comments come after fans spotted a clue that he might be involved in the reunion tour. Fans who registered for the pre-sale of tickets were asked who the drummer was in the initial Oasis line-up, with the answer being Tony McCarroll. This led to speculation that McCarroll might be making a guest appearance on the tour.
However, in his interview with MailOnline, McCarroll hinted that he won’t be joining the Gallagher brothers on tour. He said, “I’m happy for Noel and Liam. Really happy for them. And I’m dead happy for the fans more than anything and for those generations who haven’t seen Oasis.”
The Legacy of the Forgotten Man
Despite not being involved in the reunion tour, McCarroll’s legacy as the original drummer of Oasis remains. He played on the band’s debut album, Definitely Maybe, which is considered one of the greatest albums of all time. He also played on some of the band’s most iconic singles, including “Whatever,” “Supersonic,” and “Shakermaker.”
McCarroll’s departure from Oasis was a controversial one, but he has clearly moved on from the experience. He is happy for the Gallagher brothers and the fans who will get to see Oasis perform live again.
While McCarroll may not be part of the reunion tour, his legacy as a founding member of Oasis is secure. He will forever be remembered as the drummer who played on some of the band’s most iconic songs, and his story serves as a reminder of the ups and downs of fame and the importance of staying true to oneself.
A Bittersweet Ending: The Forgotten Man of Oasis
It seems like the “forgotten man” of Oasis will not be making a comeback, but despite a history of tension with the Gallagher brothers, McCarroll has chosen to focus on the positives, ultimately expressing happiness for Noel, Liam, and the fans. His perspective highlights the complex dynamics within a band, and while the reunion tour may be a cause for celebration for many, the absence of McCarroll is a reminder of the sacrifices that often come with success.
While the reunion tour will undoubtedly be a success, one can’t help but wonder if the band would have been the same without McCarroll. In the end, his story serves as a reminder of the importance of appreciating the individuals who contribute to the success of a group, even when they fade into the background.
